Football Size by Age: Pee Wee, Junior, Youth and Official
Enter an age to see the football size Wilson and Nike list for it, and where the two makers differ.
Football size by age finder
A starting point; check fit and your league rules.
Prefer no scripts? The chart tables below hold every number the finder uses.
Football size chart by age
The makers' age bands touch at 9, 12 and 14, so those ages match two sizes. The finder shows both.
Wilson
| Size | Range | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pee wee | Ages 6 to 9 | Wilson: fits the hands of children ages 6 to 9. |
| Junior | Ages 9 to 12 | Wilson: for children who still have smaller hands than adults but more experience and strength. |
| Youth | Ages 12 to 14 | Wilson: close in size to the official college ball. |
| High school and college | Ages 14 and up | Wilson: slightly smaller than an official NFL ball; either size can work depending on hand size. |
Source: Wilson: How to choose a football. Checked .
Nike
| Size | Range | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Size 6, pee-wee | Ages 9 and younger | |
| Size 7, junior | Ages 10 to 12 | |
| Size 8, youth | Ages 12 to 14 | |
| Size 9, official | Ages 14 and up | Nike: approved for high school, collegiate and pro use. |
Source: Nike: Football size chart. Checked .
How to use it, in 3 steps
Enter the player's age
Use today's age in years. At 9, 12 and 14 two sizes match, because the makers' bands meet there.
Compare the two makers
Wilson names pee wee, junior and youth; Nike numbers them 6, 7 and 8. Read the size names on the ball's own page.
Check your league
Leagues set the ball for each division. Ask your league which size it uses, then buy that one.
Gear that helps Sponsored
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Pee wee football
A search for pee wee (size 6) footballs for the youngest players.
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Junior football
A search for junior (size 7) footballs.
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Youth football
A search for youth (size 8) footballs.
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Ball pump with gauge
A search for ball pumps with a gauge.
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Frequently asked questions
What size football for a 10-year-old?
Wilson puts ages 9 to 12 in a junior football. Nike lists size 7, junior, for ages 10 to 12. Check your league's division rules too.
What are the football sizes by age?
Wilson: pee wee ages 6 to 9, junior 9 to 12, youth 12 to 14, and high school and college sizes from 14. Nike: size 6 pee-wee ages 9 and younger, size 7 junior 10 to 12, size 8 youth 12 to 14, size 9 official for 14 and up.
What is a pee wee football?
Wilson says pee wee footballs fit the hands of children ages 6 to 9, so they can grip the ball and throw it accurately. Nike calls its size 6 the pee-wee ball, for ages 9 and younger.
When do players move to the official ball?
Both makers start the official size at 14. Wilson notes that the high school and college balls are slightly smaller than an official NFL ball and that either can work depending on hand size.
Why do the two makers disagree at age 9 or 12?
Wilson's bands share the edge ages (pee wee to 9, junior from 9, junior to 12, youth from 12). Nike's pee-wee band is 'under 9', then junior is 10 to 12. At those ages the finder shows both sizes.
Does hand size matter?
Wilson ties each size to ages, and says that at 14 and up a player's hand size decides between the two larger balls.
Does my league use these sizes?
Not always. Leagues set the football for each age or weight division. We did not read a youth football league's equipment page for this chart, so ask your league before you buy.
Is a backyard ball different?
Wilson says balls made for recreational use are usually composite leather: easy to throw and catch, and they hold up to normal wear. They come in all the same sizes, so match the size to the player.
More size tools
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Link to this chart
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Sources and last checked
Last checked: .
- Wilson: How to choose a football: Football size by age (pee wee, junior, youth, official). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Nike: Football size chart: Football size 6 to 9 by age. Checked November 3, 2026.
These are makers' and leagues' published guidance, not measurements of your child. Where makers differ, the tool shows the span between them. Rules and charts change, so check the source pages and your league.
FindSportsUSA is not a coach, league or manufacturer. This tool is a starting point, not a measurement. Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links; see our affiliate disclosure.