Youth football sizes by age: Pee Wee, Junior, Youth and official
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- Pee Wee football. Best for: Children about 6 to 9. See options on Amazon
- Junior football. Best for: Ages 9 to 12 and youth flag games. See options on Amazon
- Youth football. Best for: Ages 12 to 14. See options on Amazon
- Official size football. Best for: Ages 14 and up. See options on Amazon
Football sizes at a glance
| Ball size | Wilson age range | Length (USA Football flag rulebook) |
|---|---|---|
| Pee Wee | 6 to 9 | Not listed |
| Junior | 9 to 12 | 10.25 to 10.75 in |
| Youth | 12 to 14 | 10.50 to 11.00 in |
| Adult or official | 14 and up | 11.00 to 11.50 in |
Age ranges are from Wilson's How to Choose a Football guide; lengths are from the USA Flag 5's rulebook. Other brands and leagues may group sizes a little differently.
What each size is for
- Pee Wee. Wilson says these small balls fit the hands of children ages 6 to 9, help them grip the ball correctly and learn to throw accurately, and avoid loading a young arm with excess weight.
- Junior. For ages 9 to 12, who still have smaller hands than adults but more skill and strength.
- Youth. For ages 12 to 14; Wilson says these are close in size to official college balls.
- High school and college. Slightly smaller than an NFL-size ball; Wilson says either works for ages 14 and up depending on hand size.
When a child sits on the border between two sizes, hand size is the tiebreaker. A ball your child can grip comfortably will help them throw a cleaner spiral than one that is too big to hold.
Ball weight and dimensions
The USA Flag 5's rulebook lists full specs for three ball sizes:
- Junior: 10.25 to 10.75 inches long, 25.00 to 26.00 inches around the long way, 11 to 12 ounces.
- Youth: 10.50 to 11.00 inches long, 26.00 to 27.00 inches around the long way, 12 to 13 ounces.
- Adult: 11.00 to 11.50 inches long, 27.00 to 28.00 inches around the long way, 14 to 15 ounces.
The rulebook says balls are inflated to between 12.5 and 13.5 psi. For comparison, the NFL rulebook describes its game ball with a long axis of 11 to 11ΒΌ inches and a weight of 14 to 15 ounces.
League rules come first
If your child plays organized football, check the league's rulebook before buying. In the USA Flag 5's rulebook:
- Youth games (ages 13 and under) use a Junior-size ball; the example given is a USA Football Junior or Wilson TDJ.
- Youth games for players under 8 use a Peewee-size ball.
- Junior games (ages 14 to 17) use a Youth-size ball, such as a Wilson TDY.
- Teams at any age may choose a larger ball, but a ball smaller than the listed size is not allowed.
Tackle leagues set their own rules, so ask the coach which ball the team uses for games and buy the same size for practice at home. Practicing with the game ball's size helps a child get used to its grip.
Composite or leather
Wilson describes composite footballs as easy to grip, more resistant to moisture than natural leather, and suited to grass or turf, and says parents and coaches tend to choose composite balls for young players. It suggests considering leather once avid players reach 14 and older, when play demands more durability. Leather balls, it says, get a natural tack from the tanning process that improves grip.
For backyard catch, a composite ball in the right size is usually all a family needs. A player on a high school team who wants a ball that matches game day will look at leather.
Gear and safety for young players
The USA Flag 5's rulebook requires all players to wear mouth guards on the field. For tackle football, follow your league's helmet and pad rules and have equipment fitted by the coach or equipment manager. Keep inflation within the range printed on the ball, and use a needle and pump made for sports balls.
For other sports gear, see our baseball glove guide and baseball bat guide, and for sore muscles after practice, our muscle rub cream guide.
What to look for when you buy
Pee Wee football
Best for: Children about 6 to 9
Wilson sizes Pee Wee balls for ages 6 to 9 so young players can grip and throw correctly.
Watch out: Flag leagues may require a Junior ball once players reach 8.
See options on AmazonJunior football
Best for: Ages 9 to 12 and youth flag games
USA Football's flag rulebook names a Junior-size ball, such as the Wilson TDJ, for youth games.
Watch out: Confirm the size your league uses.
See options on AmazonYouth football
Best for: Ages 12 to 14
Wilson says Youth balls are close in size to official college balls.
Watch out: Weighs 12 to 13 ounces per the flag rulebook specs.
See options on AmazonOfficial size football
Best for: Ages 14 and up
Wilson says high school and college balls work for ages 14 and up, depending on hand size.
Watch out: Leather balls cost more than composite.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- What size football for an 8 year old?
- Wilson lists Pee Wee balls for ages 6 to 9; check your league, since USA Football flag uses a Junior ball from age 8.
- What size football for a 10 year old?
- Wilson lists Junior footballs for ages 9 to 12.
- What size is a youth football?
- The USA Flag 5's rulebook lists a Youth ball at 10.50 to 11.00 inches long and 12 to 13 ounces.
- When should a player switch to an official size football?
- Wilson says high school and college balls work for ages 14 and up, depending on hand size.
- How much air goes in a football?
- The USA Flag 5's rulebook lists 12.5 to 13.5 psi; follow the range printed on your ball.
- Can my child use a smaller ball in flag football?
- No. USA Football's flag rules say a ball smaller than the listed size is not allowed, though a larger one is.
Sources
- How to Choose a Football (wilson.com), Wilson Sporting Goods
- USA Flag 5's Rulebook, Version 2026.2 (resources.usafootball.com), USA Football
- 2026 Official Playing Rules of the National Football League (operations.nfl.com), National Football League