Surfboard Volume Calculator

Choosing the right surfboard size is no easy task. To help you make an informed decision, we created the official surfboard volume calculator. This easy-to-use tool provides size charts and tailored suggestions, ensuring you get the right board every dang time. 

How To Use The Surfboard Volume Calculator

Our surfboard sizing tool was designed to be as easy user-friendly as possible. Simply plug in your weight, ability level, board type and preferred fin box. The last one has no bearing on your recommended board size, but allows us to suggest some killer board options.

Of course, sizing your surfboard by volume alone is an over-simplification. There are a whole host of factors that influence how your board rides – I’ll discuss these in detail below.

Key Factors to Consider

1. Your Age and Weight

These physical attributes significantly influence the amount of volume you’ll need for buoyancy and stability. Heavier riders need more volume (generally speaking).

 

2. Surfing Ability Level

Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced surfer, your skill level determines the type of board you can handle, including its volume. Click the “i” button on the sizing tool for more details.

 

3. Physical Condition

Your overall fitness and strength play a role in your recommend board size and volume. If your fitness is questionable, a little extra volume will help you get into those waves.


4. Wave Type

The kind of waves you plan to surf, whether they are small and mellow or big and powerful, affects the suitable surfboard volume.

 

  • If you’re mostly riding smaller waves, you’ll have way more fun towards the upper end of your “volume spectrum”. This provides easier paddling, easier wave catching ability and often allows much longer rides.
  • Conversely, bigger waves provide enough power for much smaller volumes. This enables more dynamic turns and manouvres.

Understanding Surfboard Volume and Dimension

Calculation Factors

Surfboard volume is derived from its length, width, and thickness. However, other elements like the board’s shape, nose, tail thickness, rocker, and concaves also impact the volume.

Volume in Litres

The volume, typically measured in litres, indicates the surfboard’s buoyancy. Modern tools calculate this, but historically, shapers used water displacement methods to determine volume.

The Impact of Volume

More volume generally means easier paddling and wave catching, essential for beginners or in smaller waves. However, too much volume can hinder maneuverability and make turns or duck diving difficult.

 

In contrast, less volume can make paddling and catching waves harder, especially for less experienced surfers. It also means less stability when standing on the board. 

Different Surfboard Shapes

surfboard shapes diagram (thefreesurfer.com)

The most common snowboard shapes include:

 

➵ Shortboards
➵ Fish

➵ Funboards

➵ Longboards

➵ Soft Tops (Foamies)

➵ Guns

 

Each surfboard type caters to different surfing styles and conditions. If you click the “i” button on the volume calculator it’ll tell you much more about each one.

 

*As you may have spotted from the size calculator tool, mid-lengths have become increasingly popular. This design is essentially a more agile version of the mini mal, offering enhanced performance. This allows you to catch more waves even in suboptimal conditions, while offering greater maneuverability compared to traditional mini mals or longboards.

Surfboard Sizing Charts

Surfboard Volume Tool

1. Surfboard Volume Dropdown

Ability Volume

2. The Full Surfboard Volume Chart

For those who prefer to do things the old fashioned way (nothing wrong with that) here’s the full surfboard volume chart. It includes all of the data we used when creating the volume calculator. 

 

Find your current weight and then choose the ability level that most accurately describes you. Your suggested board volume will be shown in liters.

 

For a more accurate result, I still recommend check it against the calculator (which also provides you with a recommended range). 

Surfboard Volume Chart
WEIGHT(KG/LBS) Expert Advanced Intermediate Novice Beginner
36.36 | 80 16.00 16.80 20.00 24.00 32.00
38.64 | 85 16.61 17.44 20.77 24.92 33.23
40.00 | 90 17.18 18.04 21.48 25.77 34.36
43.18 | 95 17.70 18.59 22.13 26.56 35.41
45.45 | 100 19.09 20.05 23.86 28.64 38.18
47.73 | 105 19.09 20.05 23.86 28.64 38.18
50.00 | 110 19.50 20.48 24.38 29.25 39.00
52.27 | 115 20.39 21.41 25.48 30.58 40.77
54.55 | 120 20.73 21.76 25.91 31.09 41.45
56.82 | 125 21.02 22.07 26.28 31.53 42.05
59.09 | 130 21.27 22.34 26.59 31.91 42.55
61.36 | 135 22.09 23.20 27.61 33.14 44.18
63.64 | 140 22.27 23.39 27.84 33.41 44.55
65.91 | 145 23.07 24.22 28.84 34.60 46.14
68.18 | 150 23.86 25.06 29.83 35.80 47.73
70.45 | 155 24.66 25.89 30.82 36.99 49.32
72.73 | 160 25.45 26.73 31.82 38.18 50.91
75.00 | 165 26.25 27.56 32.81 39.38 52.50
77.27 | 170 27.05 28.40 33.81 40.57 54.09
79.55 | 175 27.84 29.23 34.80 41.76 55.68
81.82 | 180 28.64 30.07 35.80 42.95 57.27
84.09 | 185 29.43 30.90 36.79 44.15 58.86
86.36 | 190 30.23 31.74 37.78 45.34 60.45
88.64 | 195 31.02 32.57 38.78 46.53 62.05
90.91 | 200 31.82 33.41 39.77 47.73 63.64
93.18 | 205 32.61 34.24 40.77 48.92 65.23
95.45 | 210 33.41 35.08 41.76 50.11 66.82
97.73 | 215 34.20 35.91 42.76 51.31 68.41
100.00 | 220 36.00 37.80 45.00 54.00 72.00
102.27 | 225 36.82 38.66 46.02 55.23 73.64
104.55 | 230 38.68 40.62 48.35 58.02 77.36
106.82 | 235 39.52 41.50 49.40 59.28 79.05
109.09 | 240 41.45 43.53 51.82 62.18 82.91

Wave Types and Surf Spots

The type of wave your planning to ride will have a huge impact on your surfboard selection. 

➵ Beach Breaks: These waves break over sandy seabeds. They can be gentle or powerful, depending on the swell and wind conditions, making them suitable for surfers of all levels.

➵ Point Breaks: Waves that break along a protruding landmass, like a headland or a jetty. They usually offer long, consistent rides and are favored by more experienced surfers.

➵ Reef Breaks: These waves break over coral or rocky bottoms. They often form steeper, more powerful waves that can be challenging and are generally recommended for advanced surfers.

➵ River Mouth Waves: Formed by the interaction of river outflows and ocean swells, these can create unique wave shapes and patterns, often suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers.

➵ Slab Waves: Characterized by quick, steep drops and thick, heavy barrels, slabs are for the most experienced surfers due to their power and the risk posed by shallow, rocky bottoms.

If you’re just starting out, stick to beach breaks. A foamie, mini-mal or mid-length will be perfectly at home there. 

Beyond Volume: The Holistic Approach

While the volume of a surfboard is a crucial factor in determining the right board for your surfing needs, it’s important to remember that volume isn’t everything.

 

Volume simply gives a general indication of a board’s buoyancy and stability, which is particularly useful for beginners or those looking to catch waves more easily.

 

However… other aspects of a surfboard’s design, such as its shape, rocker, rail type, and tail design, play significant roles in how the board performs in the water. These factors affect the board’s maneuverability, speed, and ability to handle different wave conditions.

 

Therefore, while our surfboard volume calculator is a valuable tool for finding a suitable starting point, I recommend considering your individual surfing style, skill level, and the typical wave conditions you encounter.

 

Consulting with experienced surfers or a surf coach can also provide personalized insights that go beyond volume, ensuring that your board is the perfect match.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our surfboard volume calculator serves as an excellent starting point in your quest for the perfect surfboard.

 

It simplifies the complex decision-making process by giving you a baseline volume that aligns with your weight and skill level.

 

However, remember that surfing is both an art and a science, and the ideal board for you encompasses more than just volume. Factors like shape, tail design, and personal preferences play a pivotal role in your surfing experience.

 

We therefore encourage surfers to use this tool as a rough guide, but also to explore, experiment, and seek advice from seasoned surfers and professionals.

 

Ultimately, the perfect surfboard should feel like an extension of yourself, balancing both the science of volume with the art of surfing.

FAQS

Surfboard volume, measured in liters, refers to the total space a surfboard occupies. It’s crucial because it determines how well the board floats and supports your weight. The right volume helps with stability, paddling efficiency, and catching waves.

The ideal volume depends on your weight, experience, and the type of waves you’ll be surfing. As a general rule, beginners should opt for more volume for better stability and buoyancy, while experienced surfers may prefer less volume for greater maneuverability.

While a particular volume might work well in a range of conditions, adjustments can be beneficial. In smaller, softer waves, a board with more volume is advantageous for easier paddling and wave catching. In contrast, less volume can be better for bigger, more powerful waves for more control.

Yes, beginners generally need more volume for stability and ease of paddling. Intermediate surfers might opt for slightly less volume as their skills improve, allowing for better maneuverability. Advanced surfers often choose even less volume to maximize performance and agility.

Yes, it can be used for various surfboard types, but keep in mind that the ideal volume might slightly vary depending on the board’s shape and design.

Yes, other factors like the shape, length, width, and tail design of the board also play a significant role in how it performs in the water. It’s important to consider these in conjunction with the volume.

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