Quick answer: The smallest ball is the squash ball (39.5–40.5 mm / 1.56–1.59 in), just under a golf ball; the largest is the basketball (238.8 mm / 9.4 in). From smallest to largest, the round balls rank: squash, table tennis, golf, jai alai, racquetball, pool, carom billiards, lacrosse, tennis, pétanque, cricket, field hockey, baseball, pickleball, wiffle ball, polo, softball (slowpitch), croquet, softball (fastpitch), bocce, lawn bowls, shot put, rhythmic gymnastics, team handball, volleyball, bowling, football (soccer), korfball, water polo, netball, and basketball. Below is the full list of ball sizes (diameter) for a wide range of sports that use round (spherical) balls.

In the table below, the official ball sizes are listed where known. In the case of a range of ball sizes, either the range is listed or the average or commonly used size is listed. The ball size 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 inches and other times millimeters. Whichever the case, the units are converted so that you can see the size in either unit.

sport ball size comparison Comparison of different ball sizes

See also our list of ball weights.

Sport Ball Diameter, Sorted from Smallest to largest

sport diameter (inches) diameter (mm) notes
Squash 1.56 to 1.59 39.5 to 40.5  
Table Tennis 1.57 40 the size increased from 38mm to 40mm after the 2000 Olympic Games.
Golf 1.68 42.67 These are minimum sizes. The size changed from 1.62 inches in 1990.
Jai Alai 2.2 55  
Racquetball 2.25 57  
Pool 2.25 to 2.375 57.15 to 60.33  
Carom billiards 2.42 61.5  
Lacrosse 2.5 63.5  
Tennis 2.575 to 2.700 65.41 to 68.58  
Pétanque 2 3/8" and 3 1/8" 70.5 to 80  
Cricket 2.80 to 2.86 71.3 to 72.9 8 13/16 and 9 in (224 and 229 mm) in circumference
Field Hockey 2.8 to 2.96 71.3 to 74.8 circumference 224–235 mm (8.8–9.3 in)
Baseball 2 7⁄8 to 3 73 to 76  
Pickleball 2.87 to 2.97 73 to 75.5 according to official usapa rules
Wiffle Ball 2.87 to 3.15 73 to 80 approx. size
Polo 3 to 3 1⁄2 inches 76 to 89 weighs 3 1⁄2 ounces (99 g) to 4 1⁄2 ounces (130 g).
Softball (slowpitch) 3.50 88.9 softball size is usually referred to by their circumference  - 11 inches for slowpitch
Croquet 3 5/8 92  
Softball (fastpitch) 3.82 97.1 the size of a softball is usually referred to by its circumference  - 12 inches for fastpitch.
Bocce 4.2 107 the target ball size is from 40 to 60 mm
Lawn Bowls 4 5/8 to 5 1/8 117.5 to 130.2 lawn bowls are not a perfect sphere
Shot Put 4.33 to 5.12 110 to 130 men's size
Rhythmic gymnastics ball 7.1 to 7.9 180 to 200  
Team Handball 7.3 to 7.5 185-191 this is for the size III ball
Volleyball 8.15 to 8.39 207 to 213  
Bowling 8.500 to 8.595 215.9 to 218.3 this is the maximum size
Football (Soccer) 8.5 to 8.8 216 to 223 dimensions for a regulation size 5 ball.
Korfball 8.5 to 8.8 216.5 to 224.4 the size 5 ball for players >15 yrs. Size between 68cm and 70.5cm in circumference and weigh between 445g and 475g when fully inflated.
Water polo 8.5 to 8.9 216.5 to 226.0 size 5 (used for male adults)
Netball 8.9 226  
Basketball 9.4 238.8 dimensions for a regulation size 7 ball.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which sport has the smallest ball?

The squash ball is the smallest, at 39.5 to 40.5 mm (1.56 to 1.59 in) in diameter, just slightly smaller than a golf ball.

Which sport has the largest ball?

The basketball is the largest round ball, at 238.8 mm (9.4 in) in diameter, based on the dimensions for a regulation size 7 ball.

How big is a soccer ball compared to a basketball?

A regulation size 5 soccer ball is 216 to 223 mm (8.5 to 8.8 in) in diameter, while a regulation size 7 basketball is 238.8 mm (9.4 in), making the basketball larger.

Is a table tennis ball the same size as a squash ball?

They are very close. A table tennis ball is 40 mm (1.57 in) and a squash ball is 39.5 to 40.5 mm (1.56 to 1.59 in), so they are essentially the same size.