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Are all footballs the same size?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Jan 08, 2026

Official College Footballs (Size 9, Ages 14 & up)

Big Game's competitive footballs are the exact dimensions set down by the NCAA – approximately 10.5 to 11.5 inches in length, with a circumference of roughly 28 inches on the long side of the ball and 21 inches on the short side.

Are footballs different sizes?

In overall circumference, college footballs can be up to 1 1/4 inches smaller than NFL footballs. To get into the weeds, the circumference of college footballs ranges from 20 3/4 inches to 21 1/4 inches lengthwise from end to end, versus 21 inches to 21 1/4 inches in the NFL.

What size are normal footballs?

The size of a football is roughly 22 cm (8.66 inches) in diameter for a regulation size 5 ball. Rules state that a size 5 ball must be 68 to 70 cm (27 to 28 in) in circumference. Averaging that to 69 cm (27 in) and then dividing by π gives about 22 cm (8.7 in) for a diameter.

Are all size 5 footballs the same?

Not all footballs are the same. Take the Size 5 football, for example. It's the professional football for under-15s and older. If you've ever watched a Premier League match, you have seen this ball in action.

How many sizes of footballs are there?

The most popular size footballs generally are sizes 3, 4 and 5. However there are also size 1 and 2 balls available now for younger players. Size 2 footballs are also know as Midi footballs.

45 related questions found

What size ball is used in football?

This international match ball measures 27-28 inches in circumference according to the standard football sizes. It weighs between 14-16 ounces. This size is appropriate for everyone aged 12 and above. All the football leagues and tournaments all over the world use Size 5 football balls.

Is a high school football the same size as NFL?

The primary difference among different levels of play is the space between the two sets of hash marks: High School — 53 feet, 4 inches. College — 40 feet. NFL — 18 feet, 6 inches.

What size football do under 10's use?

Size 4 football, Under 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 Age Groups. Size 5 football, Under 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 to Adults. Size 2 footballs are recommended for 4 and 5 year olds.

What age is a size 4 football for?

Size 4 footballs (ages 9-14) or size 3 footballs (ages 6-9) are a much better fit for younger footballers still learning the tricks of the trade.

What size football do u15 use?

The ball should be (Size 4 Under 13's – Under 14's). The ball should be (Size 5 Under 15's – Under 16's). It should be made of leather or other suitable material.

What size footballs are used in high school?

Size 9 Football

It is also meant to be as close to the size of footballs that are used in the college and professional games. High school footballs are very close to college footballs, but then there is another slight step up in size at the NFL level.

Which is bigger size 4 or 5 football?

Football size guide

Size 2 football – Under 5. Size 3 football – Under 7, Under 8 and Under 9. Size 4 football – Under 10, Under 11, Under 12, Under 13 and Under 14. Size 5 football – Under 15, Under 16 and Senior Football.

Are CFL and NFL footballs the same size?

From 1986 to 2017, the official CFL ball specifications were 11 to 11 1/4 inches long with a short circumference range of 20 7/8 to 21 1/8 inches and long circumference range of 27 3/4 to 28 1/4 inches. While the same ball is not used in both leagues, the CFL and NFL football are similar in size.

Do NFL and college use same balls?

The NFL and NCAA do not use the exact same specifications for their footballs, meaning the balls used in college football can be slightly smaller. The balls used in college football also have white stripes on either end, while NFL footballs have no stripes.

Why do NFL balls not have stripes?

The NFL used an all-white ball for a time, then switched to a white ball with black stripes for better visibility during night games. The paint used for the stripes made the ball slick, so the NFL eventually removed the stripes altogether.

What is a size 3 football?

How Big Are Size 3 Footballs? The circumference of a size 3 ball should be between 58 – 61cm. This would be 18.5 – 19.50cm in diameter. Although this is quite a bit smaller than the full-size ball it is well suited to a player of a younger age.

How long do under 10s play football?

8 Duration of matches should be 15 minutes each way. No player shall play more than 60 minutes per day. 9 The kick off is taken in the centre of the playing area to start the game and after a goal has been scored. In mini soccer you cannot score directly from a kick off or a drop ball situation.

How big is a pee wee football?

Pee Wee Footballs (Size 6, Age 9 & below)

Pee Wee footballs have an average weight of 10 ounces, with a roughly 24 inch long circumference and a roughly 17.5 inch short circumference.

Are NFL goal posts narrower than college?

Speaking of goalposts, they're the same width in college and the pros: 18' 6”.

Are footballs lighter now?

It is a myth that the modern ball is lighter than the balls used in the past. Since 1937, the dry weight of the ball has been specified by Law 2: 14-16oz.

What are the 17 rules of football?

The Football Laws include 17 in the book.

  • The Field of Play.
  • The Ball.
  • The Number of Players.
  • The Players' Equipment.
  • The Referee.
  • The Assistant Referees.
  • The Duration of the Match.

What happens if there are 2 footballs on the pitch?

When there are two soccer balls on the pitch, the rules stipulate that the game should be stopped temporarily to remove the extra ball – but only if it directly interferes with match play.

Are CFL balls bigger than NFL balls?

If a CFL ball is constructed to the maximum specifications and the NFL ball the minimum, which is how they're currently made, the Canadian football would be a 1/4 of an inch longer and 1/8 of an inch bigger around.

What is the difference between CFL and NFL footballs?

The biggest single difference between CFL ball and NFL ball is three downs versus four. With fewer downs to make your 10 yards, more offensive aggression is necessary, which usually means more passing and a lot less settling for plays that might only get you a couple yards.

What are the differences between Canadian and American football?

Canadian football teams have twelve players instead of eleven on each side. The twelfth man plays on the offence but from a backfield position. In American football, this is the equivalent of defensive backs. Due to the differences in team size, the CFL lacks the tight end position.