Ultimate Guide to Choosing The Right Snowboard Length

JUMP TO: WHAT IS SNOWBOARD LENGTH |  SNOWBOARD LENGTH CHART |  COMMON QUESTIONS

Author: Holly Price | Updated: Nov 7, 2023
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Snowboard length, just like width, profile, and type, is something that will inevitably affect how you ride. Without taking a deep dive into the physics of snowboarding, the length of your snowboard directly correlates to stability and maneuverability when you’re out on the hill. Historically, any length of snowboard that sat somewhere between your collarbone and chin when stood up on the floor was supposedly a good fit, but now it's important that other elements such as weight, riding style and ability get considered.

While all of this information is undoubtedly helpful, it should be noted that everyone is unique and so what applies to one person may not be the same for another.  Similarly, many different manufacturers have released their own guidelines when it comes to how weight and height impact on the correct sizing of their snowboards.

Regardless though, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned rider, knowing why snowboard length matters will help you understand how your own board rides and how to get the most out of it.

If you’re completely new to the sport follow up this deep dive on choosing the right snowboard length with the other articles in our Snowboarding 101 series to familiarize yourself with all the other essential other design board features you should know

WHAT IS SNOWBOARD LENGTH?

The length of a snowboard is the measurement from the nose to the tail, which is essentially how ‘long’ it is when laid flat, or how ‘tall’ it is when stood up. The length of a snowboard is referred to in centimeters, so a 150 board, for example, would be 150 cm long.

Because the length of snowboards was originally based solely on rider height, there are many different lengths of snowboard available, ranging from 90 cm right the way through to 170 cm.

Generally, as the rider's height and weight increase, so should the length of the board. While height and weight provide a good starting point, finding the perfect board length for you requires a little more nuance.

HOW LONG SHOULD MY SNOWBOARD BE?

Height is the easiest place to start when it comes to snowboard length sizing, and we’d put good money on that being the way you’d get measured up for a board if you walked into any store looking to buy one. However, we want to give you more of a tailored solution that will give you a better idea in terms of what works for your exact height. So, here’s the secret formula:

Rider Height (in inches) x 2.54 x 0.88 = Recommended Board Length

To consider this in action, we used the formula on writer and snowboarder Holly. Holly is 68.4 inches. When putting this into the formula, we ended up with 68.4 x 2.54 x 0.88 = 152.8. Ultimately, this means Holly’s ideal board size sits around the 152-153 cm mark, which is interesting because she’s been riding a 150 up to now!

You can easily find your own recommended board length with this handy calculator or using the chart below.

 
Rider Height (in) Rider Weight (lb) Snowboard Length (cm)
4’10” 110-120 128-136
5’ 115-130 133-141
5’2” 125-135 139-147
5’4” 135-145 144-152
5’6” 140-155 149-157
5’8” 150-165 154-162
5’10” 160-175 159-167
6’ 170-185 160+
6”2 180-195 160+
6”4’ 190-205 160+
 

COMMON QUESTIONS

How does weight affect snowboard length?

Some experts argue that weight is actually a far more important factor than height when finding the right length snowboard. This is because if you choose a board that you are too light for, you won’t be able to flex the board very well and therefore have less control and ease of movement. On the flip side, if you choose a board that you are too heavy for, your weight will overpower the stiffness of the board and you won’t have much stability at speed.

So, although it might take more time than just a simple ‘one fits all’ answer, you can figure out the best size board for you by combining the chart and formula above with the flex rating of the board you have your eye on. If you weigh above average for your height, you’ll want a stiffer board, while those who weigh below the average will fare better on a more flexible board.

How does riding style affect snowboard length?

Already know what kind of riding you like best? That’s great news, as you can easily get really niche in terms of what board you’re looking for. With that in mind though, it’s worth noting that each manufacturer will have their own sizing chart which you should cross-reference alongside your own research. However, here are some hot tips for snowboard length and different riding styles:

  • If you're a park rat or freestyle enthusiast, opting for a shorter board will make it easier to throw certain tricks and jibs.

  • For free riders, all-mountain experts and powder hounds, a longer board is usually the weapon of choice, with a volume-shifted shape.

  • Beginner snowboarders can opt for a shorter length within their recommended range - a longer board is ultimately more difficult to control.

How can I tell if my board is too long or short?

Now that you understand the role board length plays, you’ll probably have some idea as to how it might affect your riding if a board is too long or short for you. A board that is too short will provide very little stability and balance. - Yyou’ll probably be spending more time falling over than actually riding. Conversely, a board that is too long will be incredibly difficult to control with tricky turn initiation and will feel sloppy, not unlike trying to walk around in shoes that are way too big for you. But, by considering your height, weight, and riding style, you can find a board length that is neither too long nor too short—allowing you to shred with total confidence.