sup volume calculator

SUP Paddle Board Size Guide

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?

tahe paddleboards
Image credit – REI.com

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

See full type guide


inflatable stand up paddle board SUP size guide

 

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.
paddleboarder carrying a board
Image credit: REI.com

 

 

 

 

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
yoga paddle boards
Read full guide

 

 

 

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
fishing paddle boards
Click to read

 

 

 

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
race paddleboards for racing
Read more

 

 

 

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″
surf sup vs surfboard
Read full guide

 

 

 

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″
tandem paddle board features
Click to read

 

 

 

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
sup kayak
Click to read the full guide

 

 

 

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″
kids sup guide
Click to read

 

 

 

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 and river paddle boards
Click to read

 

 

 

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

Paddleboarding FAQ

Surfboard Volume Calculator

45 Best SUP Brands

paddleboard brands review

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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.

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