Soccer ball (size 5) Size & Weight

An official size 5 soccer ball is about 220 mm (8.7 in) in diameter and 68 to 70 cm around, weighing 410 to 450 grams. It is the ball used in professional and adult football worldwide, from age 12 up.

This guide covers the full size 5 specification, how it compares to a size 4 and size 3 ball, how it stacks against a basketball and a volleyball, and why the circumference matters more than the diameter in the rulebook.

Quick Answer: How Big Is a Size 5 Soccer Ball?

A size 5 ball has a circumference of 68 to 70 cm (27 to 28 in), which works out to a diameter of about 21.6 to 22.3 cm (220 mm on average). It weighs 410 to 450 g at the start of a match and is inflated to 0.6 to 1.1 bar (8.7 to 16 psi).

Soccer Ball Dimensions at a Glance

• Diameter: ~220 mm / 22.0 cm / 8.66 in
• Circumference: 680 – 700 mm / 68 – 70 cm / 27 – 28 in
• Radius: ~110 mm
• Weight: 410 – 450 g (FIFA and IFAB Law 2)
• Surface area: roughly 1,520 cm2
• Standard: IFAB Law 2, size 5, the official adult ball

What Does a Soccer Ball Look Like in Size?

A size 5 ball is a little smaller than a basketball and about the size of a large honeydew melon. Its 22 cm diameter is just wider than a sheet of A4 turned sideways, and a bit narrower than a standard dinner plate. Held in two hands it fills the span from fingertips to fingertips for most adults.

6 Everyday Comparisons for a Soccer Ball

1. A basketball (size 7) (241 mm) is about 21 mm larger across and roughly 200 g heavier.
2. A volleyball (about 210 mm, 260 – 280 g) is a touch smaller and much lighter.
3. A sheet of A4 paper (210 mm wide) is 10 mm narrower than the ball is across.
4. A size 4 soccer ball (63.5 – 66 cm circumference, ~205 mm diameter) is about 15 mm smaller and 60 – 80 g lighter.
5. A bowling ball (218 mm) is almost the same size but weighs up to 7.3 kg against the soccer ball’s 0.45 kg.
6. A dinner plate (about 270 mm) is wider than the ball.

Soccer Ball Size in Different Units

Soccer Ball Sizes by Age

The jump from size 4 to size 5 is only about 1.5 cm of diameter, but players feel it in the weight and the way the ball leaves the foot.

How Much Does a Soccer Ball Weigh?

A size 5 ball weighs 410 to 450 g dry. It gains a little in wet conditions as the outer panels absorb water, which is why modern match balls use thermally bonded, low-absorption surfaces. Training balls sit at the heavier end of the range; top match balls are usually 420 – 440 g.

Common Mistakes When Comparing Soccer Ball Dimensions

1. Quoting circumference as “the size.” A size 5 ball is 68 – 70 cm around but only about 22 cm across.
2. Assuming all adult balls are identical. Weight can legally vary by 40 g and pressure by a wide margin, both of which change how the ball plays.
3. Confusing size 4 and size 5. Youth football up to age 11 uses size 4, which is meaningfully smaller.
4. Ignoring inflation. An under-inflated ball measures the same but deforms on contact and plays “dead.”
5. Treating a futsal ball as a size 5. Futsal balls are size 4 with a low bounce, a different ball entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is a soccer ball in cm?

A size 5 ball is about 22 cm across and 68 – 70 cm around.

What is the diameter of a size 5 soccer ball?

About 22 cm (220 mm).

What is the circumference of an official soccer ball?

68 to 70 cm (27 to 28 inches).

How much does a soccer ball weigh?

410 to 450 g at the start of a match.

Is a soccer ball bigger than a basketball?

No. A size 7 basketball is about 21 mm larger across and heavier.

What size soccer ball for a 10-year-old?

Size 4, roughly 20.5 cm across and 350 – 390 g.

What pressure should a soccer ball be?

0.6 to 1.1 bar (about 8.7 to 16 psi) at sea level.

Final Takeaway

An official size 5 soccer ball is about 22 cm (8.7 in) across, 68 – 70 cm (27 – 28 in) around, and 410 – 450 grams. It is slightly smaller than a basketball, close to a volleyball or a bowling ball in size, and it is the standard ball for all football from age 12 upward.