Trying to work out what size football to buy? Here is the short version. For anyone aged 14 and over, including adults, you want a size 5. Children aged 9 to 13 play with a size 4. Kids aged roughly 5 to 8 use a size 3. Mini balls, skills balls and foam footballs sit outside that scale and are made for close control, tricks and garden games rather than a full match.
That covers most people in one line. If you want to get it exactly right, though, size is not the only thing that matters. Below we run through every ball size, who each one suits, and the practical bits that catch people out, like weight and where you plan to play.
Football sizes explained at a glance
Football sizes are set by circumference, and they have barely changed in decades. Here is the full scale, from the smallest skills balls up to a match-ready size 5.
- Size 5 — 68 to 70 cm around. The standard adult and match ball, used from age 14 upwards. This is what the Premier League, grassroots leagues and Sunday football all play with.
- Size 4 — 63.5 to 66 cm. The junior match ball for ages 9 to 13. Smaller and lighter, so young legs can strike it cleanly.
- Size 3 — 58 to 61 cm. The first proper ball for children aged about 5 to 8, and the size most academies start with.
- Size 2 and size 1 — smaller again, usually sold as skills balls or collectables. Good for close control drills, keepy-uppies and younger children finding their feet.
Browse the full range in our footballs collection, where everything is sorted by size so you can jump straight to the one you need.
Size 5 footballs: the one most people want
If you are buying for an adult or a teenager, stop here. A size 5 is almost certainly what you are after. It is the official match size for every senior competition, so it is the ball your team trains with, the ball you kick about in the park, and the ball most fans want on the shelf with their club crest on it.
Weight matters more than people expect. A dry size 5 weighs around 410 to 450 grams, and a cheap, overly heavy ball feels dead off the boot. The Official Arsenal FC Nova Premium Football at £15.99 is a good example of the right idea: club-licensed, match weight, and finished to hold up on grass and tarmac. See every option in the size 5 footballs collection.
Size 4 footballs: for ages 9 to 13
Size 4 is the junior match ball, and it is the one parents most often get wrong by buying a size 5 too early. A size 5 is heavier and harder to control for a nine-year-old, which knocks their technique and, honestly, their confidence. If a child is at primary school or in early secondary and plays organised football, a size 4 is the right call. Most youth leagues in England move players up to a size 5 at Under-14 level, so a size 4 sees them through those key learning years.
Size 3 footballs: a child’s first real ball
Size 3 is where a lot of football journeys start. It suits children from about 5 to 8, and it is light enough that small feet can actually dribble and pass with it rather than just chase it around. If you are buying a first ball for a birthday or Christmas, this is usually the one. Have a look at the size 3 footballs collection for club-branded options that make a proper gift, not just a kickabout ball.
Mini balls, skills balls and foam footballs
These sit off the main scale, and they are more useful than they look. A skills ball is small and firm, which forces close control and sharpens a young player’s touch. A skills ball like this one at £11.50 is a genuinely good training aid, not just a novelty.
Foam and soft footballs are the safe bet for indoors. The Official Arsenal FC Mini Foam Football at £6.99 will not take out a lamp or a little sibling, which makes it a favourite for hallway matches and stocking fillers. Browse them all in the mini balls collection. Playing a different code? Our rugby balls follow their own sizing, from mini balls for youngsters up to full-size match balls.
How to choose the right ball beyond size
Once you have the size sorted, two things decide whether a ball is any good. First, where it is played. Grass is forgiving. Tarmac, concrete and playgrounds chew through cheap footballs, so if the ball is destined for a hard surface, look for a tougher outer and a bladder that holds pressure. Second, who is playing. A collectable ball that lives on a shelf can be any size, but a ball for daily use needs to match the player’s age so their technique develops properly.
Do not forget a pump. Footballs arrive deflated for shipping, and a flat ball on Christmas morning is a quiet disaster. Grab one from our training equipment section while you are here.
Why official footballs are worth it
Every football we sell is officially licensed. The crest is genuine, the club has approved it, and the club earns its share from the sale. You are not buying a market-stall copy with a badge slapped on. For fans buying a ball in their team’s colours, whether that is Liverpool FC, Arsenal FC or anyone else, that authenticity is the whole point.
Getting your football in time
Order by 3pm Monday to Friday and your ball is dispatched the same day from our UK warehouse. UK delivery is free on orders over £30, and everything comes with 30-day returns, so if you have picked the wrong size it is an easy fix. If you are buying for a birthday or a big fixture, that same-day dispatch is the difference between the ball arriving on time and arriving a day late.
What size football do I need? Quick answers
What size football for a 7 year old? A size 3. It suits ages 5 to 8 and is light enough for young players to control properly.
What size football do professionals use? A size 5, 68 to 70 cm around. It is the match ball for all senior football from age 14 up.
Size 4 or size 5 for a 12 year old? A size 4. Children move up to a size 5 at Under-14 level, so a 12-year-old is still on a size 4.
Still deciding? Start with the full footballs collection, filter by size, and pick your club. If it is for a player aged 14 or over, a size 5 will not let you down.