Bodyboard sizes go by your height and weight on the maker’s chart. On the Morey and eBodyboarding charts, a 41 inch board suits riders about 5 ft 6 to 5 ft 8 and 125 to 170 pounds, and a 42 inch board suits 5 ft 7 to 6 ft and 145 to 180 pounds. When your height and weight point to different sizes, Morey says to go by weight.
WaterSportHQ editors compared the size charts published by Morey Bodyboards and eBodyboarding, a bodyboarding retailer in San Clemente, California (both read on 2026-10-21), and the charts on two current Amazon listings. Boogie board is Morey’s name for a bodyboard, so these charts also work as a boogie board size chart. Charts differ by brand, so use the one for the board you buy.
Bodyboard size chart (boogie board size chart): Morey and eBodyboarding side by side
| Board length | Morey: height | Morey: weight | eBodyboarding: height | eBodyboarding: weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 in | Not listed | Not listed | 4 ft to 4 ft 10 | 40 to 90 lb |
| 38 in | 4 ft 8 to 5 ft 2 | 65 to 120 lb | 4 ft 4 to 5 ft | 65 to 100 lb |
| 39 in | Not listed | Not listed | 4 ft 6 to 5 ft 2 | 85 to 115 lb |
| 40 in | 5 ft 3 to 5 ft 6 | 110 to 140 lb | 5 ft 3 to 5 ft 6 | 110 to 140 lb |
| 41 in | 5 ft 6 to 5 ft 8 | 125 to 170 lb | 5 ft 6 to 5 ft 8 | 125 to 170 lb |
| 42 in | 5 ft 7 to 6 ft | 145 to 180 lb | 5 ft 7 to 6 ft | 145 to 180 lb |
| 43 in | 6 ft 1 to 6 ft 3 | 170 to 210 lb | 6 ft 1 to 6 ft 3 | 170 to 210 lb |
| 44 in | 6 ft 2 to 6 ft 4 | 180 to 250 lb | 6 ft 2 to 6 ft 4 | 180 to 250 lb |
| 45 in | Not listed | Not listed | 6 ft 3 to 6 ft 6 | 195 to 270 lb |
| 46 in | Not listed | Not listed | 6 ft 4 and up | 220 lb and up |
Sources: Morey’s size guide on moreybodyboards.com and eBodyboarding’s bodyboard size guide, both read on 2026-10-21. Morey also lists half sizes: 41.5 inches for 5 ft 6.5 to 5 ft 8.5 and 135 to 175 pounds, and 42.5 inches for 5 ft 9 to 6 ft 1 and 160 to 195 pounds.
From 40 to 44 inches the two charts match. They differ at 38 inches, where Morey allows riders up to 120 pounds and eBodyboarding up to 100.
When height and weight point to different sizes
Morey’s guide says: “When in doubt, consider your weight first.” It says a board that is too small for a heavier rider sinks and drags, and one that is too large floats too much and is hard to control.
eBodyboarding says the same for heavier riders in another way: prioritize width and thickness over length. Its high volume chart is for riders over 190 pounds, or anyone who wants extra float, and runs from 40 inches (5 ft 2 to 5 ft 5, 160 pounds and up) to 44.5 inches and up (6 ft 4 and up, 200 pounds and up).
Where the size charts disagree
The charts are guides, and they do not always agree, even within one brand or one retailer.
- Morey’s own Big Kahuna 44: Morey’s size guide puts the 44 inch at 6 ft 2 to 6 ft 4 and 180 to 250 pounds. The Big Kahuna’s Amazon listing chart says 6 ft and over, 160 to 250 pounds, and its weight capacity row says 185 pounds maximum.
- BPS against Morey at 41 inches: the BPS Storm chart on Amazon puts its 41 inch board at 5 ft 7 to 5 ft 9 and 120 to 188 pounds, a wider weight range than the 125 to 170 pounds on the Morey and eBodyboarding charts.
- eBodyboarding’s own pages: its size guide gives 4 ft 4 to 5 ft for a 38 inch board; its buyer’s guide gives 4 ft 8 to 5 ft. A third chart, on its equipment guide page, lists 40 to 41 inches for riders 5 ft 5 to 5 ft 8 and under 160 pounds.
Editors’ rule of thumb: when the listing for your board gives a weight maximum, stay under it, even if a general chart allows more.
The quick check: belly button or chin to knees
eBodyboarding gives two quick checks. Stood on end, the board should reach from the ground to about your belly button, or measure from just under your chin to the middle of your kneecaps. Its buyer’s guide says the belly button check suits riders who wear fins and ride unbroken waves, and that it is a starting point, not the final answer.
Adjust the size for how you ride
These adjustments come from eBodyboarding’s buyer’s guide:
- Whitewater, no fins: pick the longer end of your range, for more planing surface and stability.
- Bigger waves: consider the shorter end of your range, for control.
- Beginners: the longer end of the range. Advanced riders often go shorter for maneuverability.
- Dropknee: size up a little.
Bodyboard sizes for kids
eBodyboarding’s approximate kids’ chart by age:
| Age | Board length |
|---|---|
| 2 | 30 to 32 in |
| 4 | 32 to 34 in |
| 6 | 34 to 36 in |
| 8 | 36 to 38 in |
| 10 | 38 to 40 in |
| 12 | 40 to 41 in |
eBodyboarding says a child who wears fins should get a board that fits now, not one to grow into. A child who only plays in the whitewater can go bigger, so the board lasts longer.
Next steps
- To compare current boards by size and listed rider limit, see the best bodyboards by rider size.
- For core, tail and slick choices, see how to choose a bodyboard.
- eBodyboarding says a board that is too long leaves too little of your legs and fins in the water to kick and steer. For fins, see the bodyboard fins compared.