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Sports Ball Weight Comparison

Which sport has the lightest or heaviest balls? Below is a list of ball weights for a wide range of sports. Out of these sports, the lightest is the table tennis or ping-pong ball, the heaviest is a tie between bowling and shot put, though in bowling there is range of weights used with 16 pounds the maximum allowable weight.

sport ball size comparison A display of different ball sizes at the Scienceworks in Melbourne


The official ball weights are listed in the table below where known. In the case where there is a range of official ball weights, either the range is listed or the average or commonly used size is listed. The ball weight used for adult male competition is used if there is variation in the ball size used for different ages or classes. The standard unit of measurement is sometimes ounces or pounds and other times grams. Whichever the case, the units are converted so that you can compare the weight in either unit.

See also our list of ball sizes.

Sport Ball Weights, Sorted from Lightest to Heaviest

sport weight (ounces) weight (grams) notes
Table Tennis 0.1 2.7 From 1902 table tennis balls were made of celluloid, but since 2014 all international events use balls made out of plastic.
Pickleball 0.78 to 0.935 22.1 to 26.5 according to official usapa rules
Squash 0.8 to 0.9 23 to 25  
Racquetball 1.4 40  
Golf 1.62 45.93  
Tennis 1.975 to 2.095 56.0 to 59.4  
Polo 3 1⁄2 to 4 1⁄2s 99 to 130  
Jai Alai 4.4 to 4.9 125 to140  
Baseball 5 to  5 1⁄4 142 to 149  
Lacrosse 5 to 5 1/2 142 to 156  
Cricket 5 1/2 to 5 3/4 155.9 to 163.0  
Field Hockey 5.5 to 5.7 156 to 163  
Pool 5.5 to 6.0 156 and 170  
Softball (slowtpitch) 5.875 to 6.125  166.6–173.6  
Softball (fastpitch) 6.25  to 7.0 178 to 198.4  
Volleyball 9.2 to 9.9 260 to 280  
Rugby League 13.5 to 15.5 383 to 440  
Football (American) 14.0 to 15.0 397 to 425  
Netball 14.0  to 16.0 397 to 454  
Rhythmic gymnastics ball 14.1 400 minimum weight
Water polo 14.1 to 15.9 400 to 450 size 5 (used for male adults)
Rugby Union 14.5 to 16 .2 410 to 460  
Football (Soccer) 14.8 to 15.7 420 to 445 weight for a regulation size 5 ball.
Team Handball 15 to 16 3/4 425 to 475 this is for the size III ball
Korfball 15.7 to 16.7 445 to 475 the size 5 ball for players >15 yrs. Weight when fully inflated.
Football (Australian) 15.9 to 17.6 450 to 500 A full size ball is a size 5
Croquet 16 453.6  
Basketball 22 623.7 weight for a regulation size 7 ball.
Pétanque 24 to 28.2 (1.5- to 1.75 lbs) 680 to 800  
Bocce 32 920  
Bowling 256 oz (16 lb) 7.26 kg this is the maximum size
Shot Put 256 oz (16 lb) 7.26 kg senior men weight is 16lb. Women throw 4kg (8.8 lb)

Sources

The ball weight information is from a wide range of sources online. Although they are believed to be correct, you should check with official sources if it is important. If you have a correction or a sport ball weight to add, please let us know below.



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