Stand-up paddleboarding is much easier than trying to figure out what size board is EXACTLY right for me.
Down below we’ll explain some of the most frequent sizes, how to calculate them, and where do you often see certain sizes available. Paddle board size reveals its characteristics and its weight capacity. Among the 13 main types of paddle boards, there are many outlines, lengths, widths, and thicknesses to choose from.
What size paddle board should I get?
How to calculate paddle board volume?
Which is the best paddle board for me?
Table of contents
- How to choose the right SUP ?
- SUP types
- Average Sizes
– Length
– Width
– Thickness
- Paddle board volume calculator
When choosing a paddle board:
1. TYPE. Where / how / how often are you planning to use it?
2. SIZE. Dimensions & capacity of a paddle board
3. BUDGET. Brand & model
Different Kinds of Paddle Boards
By popularity
All-around
Touring & Adventure
Yoga & Cruising
Fishing & Expedition
Race & Performance
Multi-person
Youth & Kids’
Whitewater & River
Surfing / Kayak SUP
What size LENGTH inflatable paddle board should I get?
- 6’2″ – River surf.
- 8′ – Kids & Youth.
- 8’8″ – Surf.
- 9′ – Kids & Youth.
- 9’5″ – Surf.
- 9’6″ – Whitewater, All-purpose.
- 10′ – Yoga.
- 10’6″ (Average) – Yoga & Cruising, Touring & Adventure, All-Around.
- 10’8″ – Fishing & Expedition, All-around.
- 10’10” – Fishing & Expedition.
- 11′ – Yoga & Cruising.
- 11’6″ – Whitewater, Kayak / SUP, All-Around.
- 12′ – Multi-person.
- 12’4″ – Fishing.
- 12’6″ – Race & Performance, Touring & Adventure, Kayak & SUP.
- 14′ – Race & Performance, Touring & Adventure.
- 15′ – Kayak / SUP, Multi-person.
- 16′ – Multi-person.
- 22 – Race & Fitness.
What size WIDTH inflatable paddle board should I choose?
- 25″ – Race / Fitness.
- 26″ – River surf.
- 27″ – Race / Fitness, Kids’.
- 30″ – Kids’, Expedition, Surf, All-around.
- 31″ – Whitewater.
- 32″ (Average) – Yoga, All-around, Touring, Surf.
- 33″ – Whitewater, River, All-around.
- 34″ – Touring / Adventure, Yoga, Kayak / SUP, Race & Performance.
- 36″ – Fishing, Expedition, Whitewater, Yoga & Cruising.
- 38″ – Fishing & Expedition.
- 40″ – Kayak / SUP.
What size THICKNESS inflatable paddle board should I choose?
- 3.75″ – River surf.
- 4″ – Kids’, Surf, .
- 4.5″ – Kids’.
- 4.75″ – Surf, All-purpose.
- 5″ – Whitewater, Kids’.
- 5’4″ – Kayak / SUP, Yoga / Cruising.
- 5’6″ – Whitewater.
- 6 (Average)– All-purpose, Touring & Adventure, Fishing & Expedition, Race & Performance, Yoga, Whitewater, Kayak / SUP.
- 7″ – Multi-person, Fishing.
- 8″ – Multi-person, Kayak / SUP.
Yoga
Inflatable Yoga SUP Sizes |
||
| Size | Volume | Capacity |
| 10’0″ x 34″ x 6″ | 326L | 255lbs |
| 10’4″ x 34″ x 5″ | 280L | 220lbs |
| 10’4″ x 34″ x 5″ | 325L | 350lbs |
| 10’4″ x 34″ x 5″ | 333L | 240lbs |
&
Solid Yoga Paddle Board Sizes |
|
| Size | Volume |
| 10’0″ x 29″ x 4.25″ | 160L |
| 10’6″ x 32″ x 4.75″ | 192L |
Fishing
Fishing SUP Sizes |
|||
| Size | Volume | Capacity | Weight |
| 10’8″ x 36″ x 6″ | 370L | ||
| 11′ x 36″ x 6 | 400L | ||
| 11′ x 39″ x 7″ | 325L | ||
| 11′ x 44″ x 6″ | 400lbs | 52lbs | |
| 11’3″ x 36″ x 6″ | |||
| 11’6″ x 36″ x 6″ | |||
| 11’6″ x 38″ x 7″ | 400lbs | 45lbs | |
| 11’6″ x 38″ x 7″ | |||
| 12′ x 38″ x 7″ | 400lbs | 45lbs | |
&
Solid Fishing SUP Sizes |
|||
| Size | Capacity | Volume | Weight |
| 11′ x 36″ x 5″ | 366lbs | 260L | |
| 12′ x 32″ x 5″ | 315lbs | 45lbs | |
Race
Inflatable Race SUP Sizes |
||
| Size | Volume | Capacity |
| 12’6″ x 25.5″ x 6″ | 294L | |
| 12’6″ x 27″ x 6″ | 320L | 330lbs |
| 14’0″ x 25″ x 6″ | 330L | 330lbs |
| 14’0″ x 27″ x 6″ | 357L | |
| 14’0 x 27″ x 6″ | 360L | 352lbs |
| 14’0″ x 26″ x 6″ | 332L | |
| 14’0″ x 28″ x 6″ | 367L | |
| 14’0″ x 24.5″ x 6″ | 310L | |
&
Solid Race SUP Sizes |
|
| Size | Volume |
| 14’0″ x 21.75″ x 10.7″ | 278L |
| 14’0″ x 22″ x 9-3/8″ | 256L |
| 14’0″ x 23″ x 7-1/2″ | 303L |
| 14’0″ x 23″ x 10.6″ | 280L |
| 14’0″ x 24″ x 9-3/8″ | 324L |
| 14’0″ x 24.5″ x 10.5 | 340L |
| 14’0″ x 26″ x 7-1/2″ | 242L |
| 14’0″ x 26″ x 10.5″ | 324L |
| 14’0″ x 28″ x 7-1/2″ | 295L |
| 14’0″ x 28″ x 8.5″ | 331L |
Surf SUP Sizes
Surfing Paddle board sizes vary quite a lot from original SUP boards. While surfers are looking for the lowest volume possible for their weight, that’s not the case with SUP boards.
Inflatable Surf SUP Sizes |
||||
| Size | Volume | Capacity | Pressure | Weight |
| 8’8″ x 30″ x 4″ | 161L | 209lbs | 18PSI | 17.4lbs |
|
9’5″ x 32″ x 4.75″
|
218L | 209lbs | 18PSI | 17.4lbs |
|
10’11” x 30″ x 4.75″
|
||||
&
Hard Surf SUP Sizes |
|||
| Size | Volume | Capacity | Weight |
|
7’2″ x 28″ x 4.2″
|
114L | 175lbs | 16lbs |
|
7’4″ x 30″ x 3.8″
|
116L | 200lbs | 17lbs |
|
8’0″ x “31.5” x 4.2″
|
135L | 240lbs | 16lbs |
| 8’6″ x 30″ x 4″ | |||
Tandem
Inflatable Tandem Paddle Board Sizes |
||
| Size | Volume | Capacity |
| 11’4″ x 41″ x 8″ | 400L | 675lbs |
| 11’6 x 36″ x 6″ | 375L | 440lbs |
|
11’6″ x 34″ x 6″
|
400lbs | |
| 12′ x 45″ x 8″ | 590L | 725lbs |
| 12’2″ x 32″ x 6″ | ||
| 14’0″ x 34″ x 6″ | ||
| 15′ x 34″ x 8″ | ||
| 15′ x 34″ x 5’4″ | 500lbs | |
| 16′ x 32″ | ||
SUP Kayak
Solo Inflatable SUP/Kayak |
|||
| Size | Volume | Capacity | Weight |
| 9’6″ x 31″ | |||
| 10’6″ x 31 x 5.4″ | 300lbs | 27lb | |
| 10’6″ x 34″ x 5.4″ | |||
| 10’6 x 34″ x 6″ | 325L | 300lbs | |
| 10’10” x 30″ x 6″ | 240L | 215lbs | |
| 13’1″ x 36″ x 6″ | 438L | ||
&
Tandem Inflatable Kayak SUP |
||
| Size | Capacity | Weight |
| 11’6″ x 36″ x 6″ | 440lbs | |
| 12’6” x 40” x 8” | ||
| 15′ x 34″ x 5.4″ | 650lbs | 28lbs |
Kids
Kids Inflatable SUP Sizes |
||||
| Size | Volume | Capacity | Weight | Pressure |
| 8’0″ x 28″ x 6″ | 180L | |||
| 8’0″ x 29″ x 3″ | 125L | 110lbs | 16lbs | |
| 8’0″ x 29″ x 6″ | 200L | 160lbs | ||
| 8’0″ x 28″ x 4″ | 140L | 132lbs | 12lbs | 15PSI |
| 8’0″ x 30″ x 4.5″ | 100lbs | 17lbs | ||
| 8’6″ x 36″ x 6″ | 285L | 24lbs | ||
| 9’0″ x 28″ x 4.75″ | 185L | 65kg | 7.8kg | |
| 9’2″ x 29″ x 4″ | 173L | 120lbs | 21lbs | 20PSI |
| 9’6″ x 27″ | ||||
Whitewater
Inflatable Whitewater SUP Sizes |
|||
| Size | Volume | Capacity | Weight |
| 7’11” x 34″ x 6″ | 250L | 250lbs | 22.5lbs |
| 8’6″ x 34″ x 6″ | 269L | 250lbs | 22.5lbs |
| 9’6″ x 33″ x 6″ | 300L | 286lbs | |
| 9’6″ x 36″ x 6″ | 335L | 275lbs | 26.2lbs |
| 9’8″ x 36″ x 6″ | 325L | 250lbs | 26lbs |
| 10′ x 34″ x 6″ | 314L | 300lbs | 26.5lbs |
| 10’10” x 35″ x 6″ | 345L | 325lbs | 28.5lbs |
| 11′ x 34″ x 5″ | 260lbs | 27lbs | |
| 11’0″ x 34″ x 5.9″ | 295L | 27.7lbs | |
Whitewater / Rifer Surf Paddle Board Sizes
Inflatable River SUP Sizes |
|||
| Size | Volume | Capacity | Weight |
| 6’11” x 32″ x 2″ & 3″ | 185L | 230lbs | 24lbs |
|
6’11” x 30″ x 4.75″
|
|||
| 7’ 6”x 33” x 5” | 250lbs | 22lbs | |
| 8’6” x 36” x 6” | 285L | 24lbs | |
Why do you have to know the volume of your paddle board?
Paddle board volume determines the maximum capacity of the board. Therefore when choosing a SUP for your weight and field of use – it is crucial to know the paddle board sizes.
Surfboard vs Paddle board Volume
While there are 16+ types of surfboards, the concept of calculating the surfboard volume is quite easy. Sharp & pointy surfboards occupy 54% and round longboards occupy 58% of the 100% blank size in blank dimensions.
Paddleboards on the other hand fall in between the 60% – 80% range. Due to the fact that there are many different shapes and no straight.
- Surfboard size is much more precise – 54% – 56% – 58% of a 100% blank
- Paddle board occupies 55% to 80% of the orignal box size.
Paddle Board Volume Calculator
Paddle board volume determines how much space the board occupies in Liters (L). Basically when you fill the board with water – that’s the number of liters there is. The volume also determines the capacity of the paddle board.
1L = 2.2lbs
How to calculate SUP paddle board volume?
Examples on inflatable SUPs
9’6″ x 36″ x 5″ @ 240L
Max capacity: 317lbs
STEP 1
CONVERT DIMENSIONS FROM IMPERIAL TO METRIC
I used this calculator – calculateme.com/
9’6″ x 36″ x 5″ paddle board is wider, shorter and thinner than the regular size of 10’6″ x 32″ x 6″ paddle board for all-around purposes.
- Claimed volume – 240L
- Max Capacity – 317lbs
9’6″ = 289,5cm
36″ = 91.4cm
5″ = 12.7cm
STEP 2
MULTIPLY THE METRIC SIZES
289.5cm x 91.4cm x 12.7cm = 336,045.91
STEP 3
ROUND IT TO 6-DIGIT SUM
336,045.91 = 336045
STEP 3
MULTIPLY THE 6-DIGIT SUM BY (x 0.58) UP TO (x 0.80)
Why to multiply the sum with 0.58 up to 0.80?
9’6″ x 36″ x 5″Round / Pointy Outline |
|||||
| SIZE | CONVERSION | SUM | CLAIMED: 240L |
CAPACITY: 317lbs
|
VOLUME |
| Length | 289.5cm |
336,045
|
x 0.71 | 238L | |
| Width | 91.4cm | Round/Pointy | x 0.72 | 241L | |
| Thickness | 12.7cm | x 0.72 | 248L | ||
I checked 8 paddleboards brands’ sizes and that’s the average range I got.
*Round-shaped boards don’t usually have more volume compared to paddleboards with pointy outlines.
*Some brands use the same multiplier for all board types.
*There is no direct correlation between volume and max capacity
- 0.58 = 58% out of 100% box
- 0.80 = 78% out of 100% box
Here’s what multiplier I found from the first 12 brands that had their Volume listed.
- 0,55
- 0,57
- 0,58
- 0,58
- 0,58 – Popular range.
- 0,59
- 0,60
- 0,60
- 0.71
- 0,73
- 0,77
- 0,80 – Popular range.
- 0,80
- 0,80
*The average is around x 0.70, although not many boards were in the x 0.60 – x 0.70 range.
STEP 4
NOW YOU’VE GOT AN ESTIMATE VOLUME
Round it to 3-digits
336045 x 0.58 = 1,949,064.48 = 194,9L = 195L
336045 x 0.71 = 238L
336045 x 0.80 = 268L
Brand stated this board to be 240L, and the x 0.71 was the closest multiplier at 238L of volume.
Founding the Inflatable Paddle Board Volume Divider
Aqua Marina Paddle boards
| Shape | Length | Width | Thickness | Claimed Volume | Capacity | Multiply | Sum | FOUND x | SUM |
| Pointy | 8’8″ | 30″ | 4″ | 161L | 209lbs | 264.1 x 76.2 x 10,1 | 203256 | x 0.80 | 162L |
| Round | 9’10” | 30″ | 4’7″ | 220L | 220lbs | 299.7 x 76.2 x 11.9 | 271761 | x 0.81 | 220L |
| Round | 10’4″ | 31″ | 6″ | 310L | 308lbs | 314.9 x 78,7 x 15.24 | 377687 | x 0.82 | 309L |
| Round | 10’10” | 32″ | 6″ | 320L | 330lbs | 330,2 x 81,2 x 15.24 | 408618 | x 0.78 | 318L |
| Round | 12’0″ | 33″ | 6″ | 380L | 374lbs | 365,7 x 83,8 x 15.24 | 467039 | x 0.82 | 382L |
| Pointy | 14’0″ | 27″ | 6″ | 360L | 352lbs | 426.7 x 68.6 x 15.24 | 446099 | x 0.81 | 361L |
| Pointy | 14’0″ | 25″ | 6″ | 330L | 330lbs | 426.7 x 63.5 x 15.24 | 412934 | x 0.80 | 330L |
Conclusions – the multiplier (how many % of the board occupies the 100%) is up to each brand.
Boardworks paddle boards
| Round | 10’6″ | 33″ | 5″ | 276L | 255lbs | 320 x 83.8 x 12.7 | 340563 | x 0.81 | 275L |
| Pointy | 11’6″ | 34″ | 9.3″ | 361L | 315lbs | 350,5 x 83.3 x 23.6 | 689040 | x 0.52 | |
| Pointy | 12’6″ | 30″ | 6″ | 285L | 260lbs | 381 x 76.2 x 15.24 | 442450 | x 0.65 | 287L |
Gili paddle boards
| Pointy | 10′ | 32″ | 6″ | 218L | 260lbs | 304,8 x 81.2 x 15.24 | 377186 | x 0.58 | 218L |
| Pointy | 10’6″ | 33″ | 6″ | 225L | 340lbs | 320 x 83.8 x 15.24 | 408675 | x 0.55 | 224L |
| Round/Pointy | 12’6″ | 31″ | 6″ | 265L | 300lbs | 381 x 78.5 x 15.24 | 455805 | x 0.58 | 264L |
iRocker paddle boards
| Round | 10′ | 32″ | 6″ | 221L | 370lbs | 304,8 x 81.2 x 15.24 | 377186 | x 0.59 | 222L |
| Round | 10’6″ | 32″ | 6″ | 221L | 400lbs | 320 x 81.2 x 15.24 | 395996 | x 0.56 | 221L |
| Round | 11’6″ | 32″ | 6″ | 232L | 265lbs | 350,5 x 81.2 x 15.24 | 433739 | x 0.54 | 234L |
| Round/Pointy | 12’6″ | 32″ | 6″ | 259L | 485lbs | 381 x 81.2 x 15.24 | 471482 | x 0.55 | 259L |
Naish paddle boards
| Round | 8′ | 28″ | 6″ | 180L | 243.8 x 71.2 x 15.24 | 264544 | x 0.75 | 198L | |
| Round | 10’6″ | 32″ | 6″ | 270L | 320 x 81.2 x 15.24 | 395996 | x 0.68 | 269L | |
| Pointy | 11′ | 29″ | 6″ | 220L | 190lbs | 335.2 x 73.6 x 15.24 | 375981 | x 0.58 | 218L |
| Pointy | 11’5″ | 32″ | 6″ | 239L | 190lbs | 347.9 x 81.2 x 15.24 | 430552 | x 0.56 | 241L |
| Pointy | 12’6″ | 30″ | 6″ | 301L | 230lbs | 381 x 76.2 x 15.24 | 442450 | x 0.68 | 300L |
| Pointy | 14′ | 25″ | 6″ | 330L | 462.7 x 63.5 x 15.24 | 412934 | x 0.80 | 330L | |
| Pointy | 14′ | 27″ | 6″ | 357L | 462.7 x 68,58 x 15.24 | 483736 | x 0.80 | 357L |
NRS paddle boards
| Round | 9’10” | 30″ | 5″ | 222L | 299.72 x 76.2 x 12.7 | 290031 | x 0.76 | 220L | |
| Round | 10’3″ | 32″ | 5″ | 246L | 312.4 x 81.2 x 12.7 | 322159 | x 0.76 | 224L | |
| Round | 10’8″ | 34″ | 6″ | 340L | 325.1 x 83.3 x 15.24 | 462257 | x 0.74 | 342L | |
| Round/Pointy | 11′ | 36″ | 6″ | 370l | 335.2 x 91.4 x 15.24 | 466912 | x 0.79 | 368L | |
| Pointy | 11’6″ | 32″ | 6″ | 326L | 100-250lbs | 350,5 x 81,2 x 15,24 | 433120 | x 0.75 | 324L |
| Pointy | 12’6″ | 30″ | 6″ | 335L | 100-250lbs | 381 x 76,2 x 15,24 | 442450 | x 0.76 | 336L |
| Pointy | 14′ | 29″ | 6″ | 363L | 100-250lbs | 462,7 x 73,6 x 15,24 | 485344 | x 0.75 | 364L |
Inflatable SUP Length Conversion Chart
| Length ft to cm | |
| ft / in | cm |
| 8′ | 243,8 |
| 8’8″ | 264,1 |
| 9’0″ | 274,3 |
| 9’6″ | 289,5 |
| 9’10” | 299,7 |
| 10′ | 304,8 |
| 10’4″ | 314,9 |
| 10’5″ | 317,5 |
| 10’6″ | 320 |
| 10’8″ | 325,1 |
| 10’10” | 330,2 |
| 11′ | 335,2 |
| 11’5″ | 347,9 |
| 11’6″ | 350 |
| 12’0″ | 365,7 |
| 12’4″ | 345,4 |
| 12’6″ | 381 |
| 14′ | 462,7 |
Inflatable paddle board width conversion chart
| Thickness ft to cm | |
| ft | cm |
| 4″ | 10,1 |
| 5″ | 12,7 |
| 6″ | 15,2 |
| 7″ | 17,7 |
| Width ft to cm | |
| ft | cm |
| 25″ | 63.5 |
| 26″ | 66 |
| 27″ | 68,5 |
| 28″ | 71,1 |
| 29″ | 73,6 |
| 30″ | 76,2 |
| 31″ | 78,7 |
| 32″ | 81,2 |
| 33″ | 83,8 |
| 34″ | 86,3 |
| 36″ | 91,4 |
Anyway, paddleboarding is fun and quite a good workout out in the fresh air. I hope this guide answered some questions regards choosing your next board. If you didn’t an answer just yet, take a look at the next posts:
Feel free to share your thoughts!
Read next
Published by:
I created Nulltuul to share my experience, research and analysis with other surf enthusiasts out there. If I'm not surfing on my travels - I like to photograph waves, surfers, and the surf lifestyle in general.