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Ski size calculator
Enter your height, weight and how you ski to get a starting ski length and waist width. A size chart by height and ability follows below.
Calculator
Your suggested size
Enter your height and weight to see a suggested length and waist width.
Ski size chart by height
Suggested lengths in centimetres for all-mountain skis, assuming a typical weight for each height and medium turns.
| Height | Typical weight | Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced | Expert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm / 4′11″ | 50 kg | 143 | 148 | 152 | 157 |
| 155 cm / 5′1″ | 53 kg | 147 | 152 | 156 | 161 |
| 160 cm / 5′3″ | 56 kg | 151 | 156 | 160 | 165 |
| 165 cm / 5′5″ | 60 kg | 155 | 160 | 165 | 169 |
| 170 cm / 5′7″ | 64 kg | 160 | 164 | 169 | 173 |
| 175 cm / 5′9″ | 67 kg | 163 | 168 | 173 | 177 |
| 180 cm / 5′11″ | 71 kg | 168 | 172 | 177 | 182 |
| 185 cm / 6′1″ | 75 kg | 172 | 177 | 181 | 186 |
| 190 cm / 6′3″ | 79 kg | 176 | 181 | 185 | 190 |
| 195 cm / 6′5″ | 84 kg | 181 | 185 | 190 | 195 |
| Height | Piste | All-mountain | Freeride |
|---|---|---|---|
| 155 cm / 5′1″ | 149 | 152 | 157 |
| 165 cm / 5′5″ | 157 | 160 | 165 |
| 175 cm / 5′9″ | 165 | 168 | 174 |
| 185 cm / 6′1″ | 174 | 177 | 182 |
| 195 cm / 6′5″ | 183 | 185 | 191 |
Piste skis come out about 3 cm shorter than all-mountain skis for the same skier, and freeride skis about 5 cm longer. Round to the nearest length a model is actually offered in.
How the ski size calculator works
The calculator starts from your height, since height sets the baseline for ski length. Weight is added next, because it affects how much the ski bends. Each step up in ability level adds about 4.6 cm. Terrain shifts the result as well, with piste skis a little shorter and freeride skis a little longer than all-mountain. Turn preference moves it by a couple of centimetres either way: short turns shorten the suggestion by 2.5 cm and long turns lengthen it by the same amount.
In round numbers, 10 cm of extra height adds about 6 cm of ski length, and 10 kg of extra weight adds about 3 cm. These are rough guides drawn from the formula the Betterskis ski finder also uses, so the calculator, the chart and the finder quiz all agree.
Why each input matters
Ability changes the result because a shorter ski is easier to turn and more forgiving, while a longer ski is more stable at speed and rewards good technique. Beginners get the shortest suggestions and experts the longest. Terrain matters because floating in soft snow benefits from more ski surface, while firm-snow carving does not need it. Turn preference reflects the same trade: short, quick turns suit a shorter ski, and long, fast turns suit a longer one.
Waist width
The suggested waist comes from the same inputs. Piste skis land in the low-to-mid 70s of millimetres, with long-turn skiers a little wider. All-mountain and freeride skis start from a wider base and grow with how much powder you ski. This tool assumes no powder weighting for piste, and a middle setting for all-mountain and freeride. Bigger and heavier skiers get a slightly wider suggestion. If you ski deep snow often, look wider than the number shown.
What the calculator does not know
It is a starting point, not a boot-fitter’s prescription. It cannot account for rocker, which can make a ski ski shorter than its measured length, or twin tips, which many skiers size shorter for park and longer for all-mountain use. It does not know your strength, how aggressively you ski, or the stiffness of the specific model. It is also not meant for children or juniors, who are sized by a shop. When two lengths of the same model both fall in your range, compare the specifications of each, since radius and weight often change between sizes. If you can, test the skis before you buy. The buying guide explains width, rocker and construction in more detail.
Ski sizing questions
What size skis do I need for my height?
Most recreational skiers end up on skis between chin height and the top of the head, which for a 175 cm skier is roughly 165 to 180 cm. The chart above gives a starting length for each ability level. Your weight, how fast you ski and the type of ski can all move that by several centimetres either way.
Should beginners ski shorter skis?
Usually, yes. A shorter ski pivots with less effort and is easier to control at low speed, which makes it more forgiving while you learn. The calculator treats beginner as the shortest setting for the same reason. Going too short has a cost too: the ski gets unstable as you speed up, and you may outgrow it quickly.
Does weight matter more than height?
Height has the larger effect in this calculator, because it sets the baseline. Weight adjusts the result by a smaller amount: about 3 cm for every 10 kg. Weight matters mainly because it determines how much a ski flexes under you. A heavier skier on a short soft ski may overpower it, and a lighter skier on a long stiff ski may struggle to bend it.
How does rocker affect ski length?
A ski with a lot of rocker has less edge touching the snow than the same length of fully cambered ski, so it can feel shorter on firm snow. Many skiers choose a rockered or twin-tip ski a bit longer than a conventional one for that reason, particularly in soft snow. Others go shorter for park or tight trees. The result here assumes a conventional mix of camber and rocker.
Do I need different lengths for different types of skiing?
Often, a little. Piste skis are commonly a few centimetres shorter than all-mountain skis for the same skier, and freeride skis are commonly longer. If you choose a terrain different from the one you ski most, the suggested length will shift accordingly.
Can I use this for children?
No. The calculator is for adults and teenagers who are close to adult size. Children and juniors are sized differently and grow quickly, so ask a ski shop or the rental desk, who can fit them by height, weight and ability.
Ski quiz
Ready to see skis in your size?
Answer a few questions about your terrain and ability to get a shortlist.