American Football Size Chart: Youth, Junior & Adult Football Sizes

American footballs come in different sizes for kids, junior players, youth players, and adults.

A commonly used retail sizing system includes:

• Size 6 — Pee Wee
• Size 7 — Junior
• Size 8 — Youth
• Size 9 — Adult / Official

CJ Sports currently offers three main American football sizes for OEM and bulk orders:

• Size 3 — Mini
• Size 6 — Junior
• Size 9 — Adult / Official

This guide explains the most common American football sizes, who they are designed for, how Size 7, Size 8, and Size 9 compare, and what buyers should check when sourcing footballs in bulk.

1. Common American Football Size Chart

The table below shows a commonly used American football sizing reference.

Size	Common Category	Typical Age	Common Use
Size 6	Pee Wee	9 and under	Younger players
Size 7	Junior	10–12	Junior training and play
Size 8	Youth	12–14	Older youth players
Size 9	Adult / Official	14+	Older teenagers and adults

This chart is useful as a general reference when choosing a football by age.

For bulk purchasing or OEM production, buyers should also check the actual circumference, weight, material, and intended market.

2. What Size American Football Do I Need?

Age is a useful starting point when choosing an American football.

However, hand size, playing level, and competition requirements also matter.

Ages 9 and Under: Pee Wee

Pee Wee footballs are designed for younger players who are still learning basic throwing and catching skills.

A smaller football is easier for children to:

• grip securely;
• control during a throw;
• practice a spiral;
• catch comfortably.

Size 6 is commonly used as a Pee Wee football.

For younger players, using a ball that is too large can make it more difficult to develop proper throwing technique.

Ages 10–12: Junior

Junior footballs are larger than Pee Wee footballs but still easier to handle than Youth or Adult footballs.

They are commonly used for:

• throwing practice;
• passing drills;
• catching practice;
• recreational football;
• basic skill development.

Size 7 is commonly sold as a Junior football in retail sizing systems.

For players moving up from Pee Wee, Junior footballs provide a useful transition before moving to a larger Youth ball.

Ages 12–14: Youth

Youth footballs are designed for older junior players who are approaching full-size football.

They are larger than Junior footballs and help players develop:

• stronger grip;
• better passing control;
• more consistent throwing mechanics;
• improved catching skills.

Size 8 is commonly used as a Youth football.

It is often chosen for players who are not yet ready for a full-size Adult or Official football.

Ages 14 and Above: Adult / Official

Size 9 is commonly used for full-size Adult or Official footballs.

It is suitable for:

• older teenagers;
• high school players;
• college-level training;
• adult recreational football;
• competitive play.

A full-size football requires more hand strength and control than Junior or Youth sizes.

3. What Is a Size 7 American Football?

A Size 7 American football is commonly classified as a Junior football.

It is typically designed for players around 10–12 years old.

Compared with larger footballs, Size 7 is easier for younger players to grip, throw, and catch.

Typical uses include:

• junior football training;
• passing practice;
• recreational games;
• school activities;
• skill development.

For players who have outgrown Pee Wee footballs but are not yet comfortable with a Youth ball, Size 7 is often a practical next step.

4. What Is a Size 8 American Football?

A Size 8 American football is commonly used as a Youth football.

It is generally intended for players around 12–14 years old.

Size 8 is larger than a Junior football but slightly smaller than a full-size Adult ball.

This makes it suitable for players who are preparing to move into full-size football.

It is commonly used for:

• youth training;
• passing drills;
• team practice;
• recreational competition;
• school football programs.

Size 8 gives older youth players a more realistic feel while remaining easier to control than a full Adult size.

5. What Is a Size 9 American Football?

Size 9 is commonly used for Adult or Official-size American footballs.

It is designed for older teenagers and adults.

Typical applications include:

• high school football;
• college training;
• adult recreational play;
• team practice;
• competitive football.

Because Size 9 is larger and heavier than Junior or Youth balls, players need more hand strength and grip control.

For adult players, Size 9 provides the size and feel expected from a full-size American football.

6. Size 7 vs. Size 8 vs. Size 9 American Football

The main difference between Size 7, Size 8, and Size 9 is overall ball size and the player group they are designed for.

Size	Category	Typical Age	Relative Size
Size 7	Junior	10–12	Smaller
Size 8	Youth	12–14	Medium
Size 9	Adult / Official	14+	Full size

As players grow, moving to a larger football helps them gradually adapt to:

• a wider grip;
• greater ball weight;
• longer throwing distance;
• full-size handling.

Using the correct size can make training more comfortable and improve ball control.

7. How Big Is an Official American Football?

A full-size American football has an elongated oval shape known as a prolate spheroid.

Typical Adult or Official football dimensions are approximately:

Measurement	Imperial	Metric
Length	11–11.25 in	27.9–28.6 cm
Long Circumference	28–28.5 in	71.1–72.4 cm
Short Circumference	21–21.25 in	53.3–54.0 cm
Weight	14–15 oz	397–425 g

The long circumference is measured lengthwise around both pointed ends.

The short circumference is measured around the widest part of the football.

These measurements are useful when comparing full-size footballs from different suppliers.

8. Junior vs. Youth American Football

Junior and Youth footballs are both designed for younger players, but Youth footballs are larger.

A simple comparison is:

Category	Typical Age	Common Retail Size
Junior	10–12	Size 7
Youth	12–14	Size 8
Adult / Official	14+	Size 9

Junior footballs are easier for smaller hands to grip and control.

Youth footballs are designed for older players who are preparing to move to full-size football.

For training, choosing the correct size helps players improve passing, catching, and throwing mechanics more comfortably.

9. How to Measure an American Football

When comparing American football sizes, four measurements are especially useful.

Length

Measure from one pointed end of the football to the other.

This is the longest straight-line dimension of the ball.

Long Circumference

Wrap a flexible measuring tape lengthwise around the football, passing around both pointed ends.

This measurement shows the overall lengthwise circumference.

Short Circumference

Measure around the widest part of the football.

This is sometimes called the girth of the ball.

Weight

Use a scale to measure the finished football.

Weight is particularly important for bulk purchasing because it affects:

• handling;
• training experience;
• shipping weight;
• product consistency.

For accurate comparisons, measure footballs under similar inflation conditions.

10. How to Choose the Right American Football Size

The correct football size depends on several factors.

Player Age

A general retail reference is:

• Size 6: 9 and under
• Size 7: 10–12
• Size 8: 12–14
• Size 9: 14+

Age is useful for initial selection, especially for schools, training programs, and recreational use.

Hand Size

Two players of the same age may have different hand sizes.

A player should be able to grip the football comfortably without excessive strain.

If the ball feels difficult to control, a smaller size may be more suitable.

Playing Level

Beginners often benefit from a smaller football because it is easier to control.

More experienced players may move to a larger size as their hand strength and throwing technique improve.

Training or Competition Use

For casual training, a general age-based size may be enough.

For formal competition, buyers should check the size requirements of the relevant league, school, club, or association.

Actual Ball Dimensions

For professional sourcing, size numbers alone are not enough.

Buyers should compare:

• length;
• long circumference;
• short circumference;
• finished weight.

These measurements provide a clearer basis for comparing products.

11. American Football Sizes for Bulk Buyers

For sporting-goods brands, importers, distributors, clubs, schools, and promotional companies, football size is only one part of the product specification.

Before placing a bulk order, buyers should confirm the following:

Specification	What to Confirm
Size	Required football size
Category	Mini, Junior, Youth, Adult
Long Circumference	Required range
Short Circumference	Required range
Weight	Required range
Material	PU, PVC, rubber, or other material
Construction	Machine-stitched or other construction
Color	Standard or custom
Logo	Custom branding requirements
Packaging	Bulk or retail packaging
Quantity	Required order quantity

Clear specifications help reduce misunderstandings during:

• sampling;
• product approval;
• mass production;
• quality inspection.

For OEM projects, it is especially important to confirm dimensions and weight before production begins.

12. CJ Sports American Football Sizes

CJ Sports currently offers three main American football sizes for OEM, ODM, private-label, and bulk orders.

Size	Category	Long Circumference	Short Circumference	Weight
Size 9	Adult / Official	695–710 mm	527–540 mm	397–427 g
Size 6	Junior	641–654 mm	470–483 mm	320–340 g
Size 3	Mini	600–615 mm	440–455 mm	290–320 g

CJ Sports uses:

• Size 3 for Mini
• Size 6 for Junior
• Size 9 for Adult / Official

Buyers sourcing CJ Sports products should use the specifications above when confirming samples and production requirements.

For custom orders, specifications can also include:

• material;
• color;
• logo;
• printing;
• packaging;
• target market.

13. What Should Buyers Check Before Ordering?

Before placing an American football order, buyers should confirm more than just the size number.

A practical checklist includes:

Product Size

Confirm whether the required product is Mini, Junior, Youth, or Adult.

Circumference

Confirm both long and short circumference.

Weight

Set an acceptable finished weight range.

Material

Common options may include:

• PU;
• PVC;
• rubber;
• synthetic leather.

Construction

Confirm the production method required for the project.

CJ Sports American football products use machine-stitched construction.

Logo

Determine whether the ball requires:

• printed logo;
• custom artwork;
• brand colors;
• promotional graphics.

Packaging

Confirm whether the order requires:

• bulk packaging;
• individual polybags;
• retail boxes;
• custom packaging.

Sample Approval

For OEM projects, samples should be checked before mass production.

This helps confirm:

• size;
• weight;
• appearance;
• color;
• printing;
• overall product feel.

14. Frequently Asked Questions

What size is a Junior American football?

Size 7 is commonly used as a Junior football in retail sizing charts.

It is typically suitable for players around 10–12 years old.

CJ Sports currently uses Size 6 for its Junior product category.

What size is a Youth American football?

Size 8 is commonly used for youth football.

It is typically suitable for players around 12–14 years old.

What size football do adults use?

Size 9 is commonly used for Adult or Official-size footballs.

It is generally suitable for players aged 14 and above.

Is a Junior football smaller than a Youth football?

Yes.

Junior footballs are generally smaller than Youth footballs and are easier for younger players to grip and control.

What is the difference between Size 7 and Size 8 footballs?

Size 7 is commonly used for Junior players, while Size 8 is commonly used for Youth players.

Size 8 is larger and is typically used by older players.

What is a Size 9 football?

Size 9 is commonly used as the full-size Adult or Official football.

It is suitable for older teenagers and adults.

What American football sizes does CJ Sports offer?

CJ Sports currently offers:

• Size 3 Mini
• Size 6 Junior
• Size 9 Adult / Official

Custom American Footballs for OEM and Bulk Orders

CJ Sports manufactures American footballs for:

• OEM projects;
• private-label brands;
• wholesalers;
• distributors;
• promotional companies;
• clubs;
• schools.

Custom options can include:

• football size;
• cover material;
• color;
• logo;
• printing;
• packaging.

Tell us your target size, material, design, and order quantity, and we can help develop the right football specification for your market.