What Size Longboard Do I Need?
Longboard sizing is not one number. Deck length is what everyone asks about, but wheelbase decides how the board turns, deck width decides how it feels underfoot, and rider weight decides the flex. Get those four right and the board disappears under you. Get the length right and the rest wrong and you will still fight it.
This page is about sizing only. If you are still deciding which type of board you want, start with our longboard, cruiser and surf skate guide and come back here to size it.
The short version
- Most adult riders: 33 to 42 inches long
- Cruiser you can carry: 28 to 34 inches
- Commuting and distance: drop-through, 38 to 46 inches
- Carving and surf or snow cross-training: top-mount, 33 to 40 inches
- Dancing and freestyle: 40 inches and up
- Kids: 28 to 30 inch cruisers
- Height matters less than you think. Weight decides flex, stance width decides wheelbase
- Who should avoid this sizing entirely: anyone who wants to learn tricks. Size a standard skateboard by deck width instead, not by length
- If you are still unsure: a 38 to 40 inch drop-through fits more riders, more uses and more body types than any other size we sell
What we cover: Length by use · Height · Weight and flex · Wheelbase · Width, trucks and wheels · Kids · What it costs · Common mistakes · FAQ
What length longboard do you need?
Start with what you are actually going to do on it. Length follows the job, not your body.
| What you want to do | Deck length | Why that length |
|---|---|---|
| Kids and first boards | 28 to 30 inch | Light enough to carry, short enough to turn at walking pace |
| City riding, short trips, stash under a desk | 28 to 34 inch | Fits in a bag or a tram, still stable enough to push properly |
| Carving and surf or snow cross-training | 33 to 40 inch | Top-mount leverage, lively turn, still manageable in traffic |
| Commuting and distance pushing | 38 to 46 inch | Low drop-through deck height plus a long wheelbase equals an easy push |
| Freeride and downhill | 35 to 42 inch | Long enough to stay planted at speed, short enough to break traction on purpose |
| Dancing and freestyle | 40 to 47 inch | You need deck to walk on, so length is the whole point |
Those ranges overlap deliberately. A 38 inch board can commute and carve. A 28 inch cruiser can do a short commute if the ground is smooth. The ranges only stop overlapping at the extremes, which is why a 46 inch dancer makes a miserable board to carry onto a train and a 28 inch cruiser is exhausting over five kilometres.
Does your height decide your longboard size?
Barely. This is the single most common misconception in longboard sizing, and it comes from snowboarding, where length genuinely does scale with the rider.
Height only matters indirectly: taller riders stand wider, and a wider stance wants a longer wheelbase so your feet land over or near the trucks. It is a nudge, not a rule. A 195cm rider is perfectly happy on a 34 inch cruiser, they just will not want to push one to work every day.
| Rider height | Comfortable wheelbase | Deck length that usually delivers it |
|---|---|---|
| Under 160cm | 14 to 24 inch | 28 to 33 inch |
| 160 to 180cm | 24 to 30 inch | 33 to 42 inch |
| Over 180cm | 28 to 32 inch | 38 to 47 inch |
Use it as a starting point, then check the wheelbase of the specific board rather than trusting the length on the graphic.
How does your weight change the size you need?
More than your height does. Rider weight sets deck flex, and flex is what makes a board feel lively or dead. Too soft for your weight and the deck sags and wobbles under load. Too stiff and it feels like a plank and beats up your feet on rough ground.
| Rider weight | Flex to look for | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|
| Under 60kg | Soft, often sold as flex 3 | Springy and surfy, pumps easily |
| 60 to 80kg | Medium, often sold as flex 2 | Lively but settled, the safe pick for most riders |
| 80 to 100kg | Stiff, often sold as flex 1 | Planted and predictable, better at speed |
| Over 100kg | Stiffest available, or a drop-down deck | No sag, no speed wobble, less absorption over cracks |
Brands number flex differently and some run only one option, so read the flex chart on the board you are looking at. Several brands sell the same deck in multiple flex ratings specifically so riders of different weights get the same ride.
Why does wheelbase matter more than deck length?
Wheelbase is the distance between the two truck mounting points, and it is the number that actually decides how the board turns. A long wheelbase turns wide and stays calm at speed. A short wheelbase turns tight and feels twitchy fast.
Two boards of the same length can ride completely differently. A 40 inch dancer with a long wheelbase and a 40 inch downhill deck with a short one have almost nothing in common underfoot. This is why the length on the box is a starting point, not an answer.
Roughly: under 20 inches is cruiser territory and turns on a coin, 24 to 28 inches is the all-rounder zone, and 28 inches and above is commuter and speed territory.
What deck width, truck width and wheel size go with each length?
Longboard trucks are measured by axle width and should roughly match your deck width. Too narrow and the board tips easily. Too wide and it turns slowly and adds weight. Wheels then have to clear the deck without biting.
| Deck width | Truck axle width | Typical wheel | Board it usually sits on |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 to 8.5 inch | 105 to 150mm | 60 to 65mm at 78a to 80a | Compact cruiser, 28 to 32 inch |
| 8.5 to 9.25 inch | 150 to 180mm | 65 to 70mm at 78a to 83a | Carver or all-rounder, 33 to 40 inch |
| 9.25 inch and wider | 180mm | 70 to 80mm at 78a to 83a | Commuter and downhill, 38 inch and up |
If you are replacing trucks rather than buying a complete, 180mm reverse kingpin is the width most longboard decks are built around. Browse longboard trucks, reverse kingpin trucks and longboard wheels. For which durometer suits which surface, the main longboard guide has the full wheel breakdown.
What size longboard is right for a kid?
Shorter than you think, and lighter matters more than length. A board a kid cannot carry to school is a board that stays in the garage.
| Age | Deck length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5 to 8 | 28 to 29 inch | Mini cruiser, soft wheels, lightest option you can find |
| 8 to 12 | 28 to 30 inch | Full cruiser shape, still easy to carry |
| 12 and up | Adult sizing | Size by use and weight, not by age |
Our smallest cruiser completes start at around 28 inches. Add a helmet at any age: see the skate helmet size guide and shop longboard helmets.
What should you expect to pay?
| What you are buying | Price range |
|---|---|
| Cruiser complete | $200 to $300 |
| All-round longboard complete | $300 to $450 |
| Premium composite deck or complete | $450 to $600 |
| Longboard trucks, pair | $80 to $250 |
| Longboard wheels, set of four | $70 to $90 |
| Slide gloves | $80 to $95 |
| Bushings | $6 to $20 |
Longboards sit in a wider price band than street skateboards because construction varies far more. A pressed maple cruiser and a composite dancing deck are different products, not different price points of the same product.
Ranges current as at August 2026. To see what is actually in stock and what it costs today, browse complete longboards or cruisers.
What sizing mistakes do people make most?
Buying by height. Covered above, and it is the number one reason people end up on the wrong board. Size by use first, then by weight.
Buying the longest board in the budget. Length adds stability, but it also adds weight and turning circle. A 46 inch board is a genuine commitment to carry up stairs every day.
Ignoring flex. A soft deck under a 100kg rider will speed wobble. A stiff deck under a 55kg rider will never load up or pump.
Mismatching trucks to deck width. 105mm trucks under a 9.25 inch deck feel tippy and vague, no matter how good the trucks are.
Forgetting wheel clearance. Big wheels on a deck without cutouts or wheel wells means wheelbite, which stops the board dead mid-turn. Drop-through decks with cutouts are the safe home for 70mm and up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size longboard do I need?
Most riders land between 33 and 42 inches. Choose 28 to 34 inches if you want a cruiser you can carry, 38 to 46 inches for a drop-through commuter, and 40 inches or more for dancing. Length sets stability, wheelbase sets how it turns.
Does my height decide my longboard size?
Not really. Height only matters because taller riders stand wider, which suits a longer wheelbase. Rider weight matters more, because it decides deck flex: under 60 kilos wants a softer deck, over 80 kilos wants a stiff one. Foot size barely affects longboard sizing at all.
What size longboard is best for commuting?
A drop-through between 38 and 46 inches. The lower deck height makes pushing easier over distance, and the longer wheelbase keeps it steady at speed. Look for a wheelbase around 28 to 30 inches and wheels of 70mm or more, which is the typical commuter setup.
Is a 40 inch longboard too big for a beginner?
No, and it is often easier to learn on. A 40 inch drop-through is more stable at low speed than a short cruiser, because the longer wheelbase resists wobble. The trade-off is portability: it will not fit in a backpack or under a desk.
What size longboard should I get for a 10 year old?
A 28 to 30 inch mini cruiser suits most 10 year olds. Anything longer is heavy to carry to school and harder to turn at low speed. Weight and portability matter more than length at that age, so keep it light.
How much does a longboard cost in Australia?
Cruiser completes start around $200 to $300, all-round longboard completes run roughly $300 to $450, and premium composite decks and completes sit between $450 and $600. Trucks are $80 to $250 a pair and longboard wheels around $70 to $90 a set.
Still not sure what size to get?
Tell us your height, your weight and the trip you are actually going to do on it, and we will name a length. Call 03 9421 2293 or come into 435A Bridge Road, Richmond, where you can stand on a few lengths back to back. Every complete is set up and checked before it leaves, and free shipping applies Australia-wide on orders over $90.
Shop by size and shape: Cruisers · Drop-Through · Pintail · Dance · All Completes · Surf Skates
Parts and protection: Trucks · Reverse Kingpin Trucks · Wheels · Bushings · Helmets · Pads · Slide Gloves
Brands: Landyachtz · Loaded · Globe · Arbor · Z-Flex · Madrid · Paris · Orangatang
Keep reading: How to Choose a Longboard, Cruiser or Surf Skate · How To Buy Your First Longboard · Surf Skateboards Explained · How to Choose a Surf Skate · What Size Skateboard Do You Need?
Back to all skate guides · All buying and size guides · Contact our team · 435A Bridge Road, Richmond VIC