Football Size by Age (2026): Chart for Youth, Flag and Tackle Football

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Size guide · 2026

Football size by age

Footballs come in four main sizes: pee wee, junior, youth and official. Young players learn to throw a spiral much faster with a ball that fits their hand. A full-size ball is too long for small fingers to grip across the laces.

Use the chart below to find the right football size by age for flag and tackle football, then see the best ball for each age.

Find the ball size in one click →

Football size by age chart

These are the age ranges most brands and youth leagues use. They overlap, so look at your child’s hand size and league rules too. Our ball size by age tool gives you a quick answer.

Football sizes explained

Lengths vary a little by brand. The main thing is the difference in feel: each step up is longer, fatter and heavier.

Flag football size by age

Flag football uses the same ball sizes as tackle football. Most flag leagues follow a setup like this:

• Ages 5 to 8 (6U and 8U): pee wee ball.
• Ages 9 to 12 (10U and 12U): junior ball.
• Ages 13 to 14 (14U): youth ball.
• High school girls flag and adult leagues: youth or official ball, depending on the league.

Many leagues hand out game balls, so check before buying. A ball of the same size at home is still great for practice. Need belts too? See the best flag football sets for kids.

What size football for each age

What size football for a 5 or 6 year old?

A soft foam ball or a pee wee football. Five and six year olds are still learning to catch, so a soft ball that does not hurt is best.

What size football for a 7 or 8 year old?

A pee wee football. The Wilson NFL MVP pee wee is a great first real football.

What size football for a 9 or 10 year old?

A junior football for most kids. A small 9 year old may still be happy with a pee wee ball.

What size football for an 11 or 12 year old?

A junior football, or a youth football for a bigger 12 year old or one in a league that uses it.

What size football for middle school?

Most middle school teams use a youth size ball (size 7) for 7th and 8th grade. Some 6th grade programs still use a junior ball.

What size football for 8th grade and high school?

8th graders usually use a youth ball. From 9th grade, high school football uses the official size ball.

Best football for each age

For more choices, see our guide to the best footballs for kids.

Ages 6 to 9 · pee wee

Wilson NFL MVP Football (Pee Wee)

You need this if: your young child is starting flag football or wants a small ball they can grip and throw.

• SizePee wee
• CoverComposite
• PriceAbout $16
• Ratings4.7★, 3,000+

Why we recommend it: Wilson makes the official NFL ball, and this is its small pee wee size for ages 6 to 9. Buyers mention quality, playability and the right size for kids most.

Keep in mind: Kids outgrow pee wee balls by about 9 or 10. Move up to a junior ball then.

Check the Wilson NFL MVP on Amazon →

Ages 9 to 14 · junior and youth

Wilson NFL Super Grip Composite Football

You need this if: your child needs a grippy, durable ball for practice and backyard games.

• SizesJunior, youth, official
• CoverTacky composite
• PriceAbout $15 to $22
• Ratings4.8★, 28,000+

Why we recommend it: It is one of the best-rated footballs on Amazon, with nearly 29,000 ratings. The tacky cover helps small hands grip and spiral the ball, and it comes in junior, youth and official sizes, so you can buy the same ball as your child grows.

Keep in mind: Choose the size carefully in the listing. The same page sells several sizes.

Check the Wilson Super Grip on Amazon →

Best budget junior ball

Franklin Sports Grip-Rite 100 Junior Football

You need this if: you want a cheap, soft-grip ball for younger kids or for the backyard.

• SizeJunior
• CoverGrip-Rite rubber
• UseBackyard and park
• Ratings4.7★, 17,000+

Why we recommend it: It is soft, very grippy and cheap, so it is easy to keep one in the car or the yard. Parents like that young kids can catch it without it hurting.

Keep in mind: It feels different from a leather or composite game ball. Use it for play, not league games.

Check the Franklin Grip-Rite on Amazon →

How to tell if a football is the right size

Ask your child to hold the ball with their fingers across the laces, as if to throw. The tips of the ring finger and pinky should reach the laces or close to them, and their thumb should wrap under the ball. If their fingers only reach the middle of the ball and it slips when they throw, it is too big. Wobbly throws that never spiral are another sign the ball is too large.

Leather, composite or rubber?

Composite footballs are the best choice for most kids. They are tacky, tough and work in any weather. Leather footballs are used in high school, college and the NFL. They feel great once broken in but cost more and get slick when wet. Rubber footballs are cheap and soft for little kids and the backyard, but they do not feel like a game ball.

Buying tips for parents

• Size down, not up. A ball that is a little small is still fun. A ball that is too big ruins throwing form.
• Buy the league size for practice. Throwing the same ball at home and at games helps a lot.
• Check the air. Most footballs need about 12.5 to 13.5 psi. Check the number on the ball.
• Add a throwing net. It lets kids practise alone. See the best football throwing nets and kicking tees.

How to teach a young child to throw a football

The right size ball is step one. These simple tips help kids throw a spiral sooner:

1. Grip: Put the ring finger and pinky on the laces, with the thumb underneath. Leave a small gap between the palm and the ball.
2. Stance: Stand sideways, with the shoulder of the non-throwing arm pointing at the target.
3. Arm: Bring the ball back by the ear, not low by the hip.
4. Step: Step toward the target with the opposite foot as you throw.
5. Finish: Snap the wrist down so the thumb points to the ground at the end of the throw.

Start with short throws of 5 to 10 yards. Distance comes later, once the spiral is steady.

How to teach a young child to catch a football

Many young kids are scared of the ball at first. A soft, small ball helps a lot. Have your child make a diamond with the thumbs and index fingers for balls above the chest, and a “pinky to pinky” basket for low balls. Tell them to watch the ball all the way into their hands and to catch it with their hands, not trap it against the chest. Short, easy tosses build confidence quickly.

When should my child move up a football size?

• Their fingers reach well over the laces and the ball feels small in their hand.
• They throw tight spirals easily and want more distance.
• They move up an age group, and the league uses a bigger ball.
• They are going into middle school or high school football.

Practise with the bigger ball for a few weeks before the season so throws feel normal by the first game.

How to care for a football

Keep the ball out of the sun and rain when you are not using it, and wipe off dirt with a damp cloth. Check the air every week or two, and use a needle pump with a drop of water on the needle to protect the valve. Composite balls last a long time with this simple care. Leather balls also need a little leather conditioner now and then.

Related: Wilson football sizes: TDJ, TDY, TDS explained

How we made this guide

We put this chart together from the size guides published by major brands and youth leagues, and checked it against what parents say in verified Amazon reviews in October 2026. The product picks are the best-rated options we found for each age on Amazon. We have not tested these products in person, no brand paid for placement, and prices change often. Leagues can set their own rules, so always check yours. Read our full method.