ski / ski length
Ski Length Calculator
Find the proper length of skis for your height, weight, skill level, skiing style, and the type of terrain you'll be skiing on.
What size skis do I need? For a 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) intermediate skier weighing 70 kg: ski length 160 to 165 cm. General rule: skis should reach between your chin and the top of your head. Shorter skis (chin height) for beginners and park skiing. Longer skis (forehead to above head) for advanced and freeride. Weight matters too: heavier skiers need longer skis for stability. Enter your height, weight, ability and skiing style below for a precise recommendation.
Unlike generic "skis should reach your chin" advice, this calculator factors in weight (heavier skiers need longer skis), skiing style (park shorter, freeride longer), and ability level. A 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) beginner and a 175 cm expert need very different ski lengths.
RECOMMENDATION: A ski size calculator's suggestion is simply a starting point. You should make the final choice depending on what you like and what feels comfortable and stable to you. When deciding on the size of your skis, you also need to think about other things that can affect their performance, like the width of the ski, the way it bends, and the shape of the tip and tail.
Planning a trip? We also have a page on ski insurance.
Calculate your DIN binding setting for safe skiing. Find the right ski boot flex for your ability.
Source: none. No standard and no manufacturer document sets a recreational ski length. The chin to head band, and every offset by style, are this site's own convention.
What does ski length mean and why is it important?
The length of a ski is the distance from the tip to the tail in centimeters. This is the most critical factor that affects how a ski behaves on snow. Shorter skis, which are usually about the height of your chin to your nose, are easier to turn and control. They are great for beginners and intermediate skiers on groomed pistes. Longer skis (from eye level to above the head) are more stable at greater speeds and float better in deep powder, therefore they are the best choice for advanced and expert skiers.
There is no one-size-fits-all length for skis. A 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) skier who weighs 90 kg (198 lb) and skis hard in powder needs a different length than a 180 cm beginner who skis on groomed slopes. This calculator takes into account all five important factors: height, weight, skill level, skiing style, and type of ski.
The offsets below are this site's own, read off the Ski Size Chart on this page rather than taken from any published fitting method. Height and ability level set a base value read from the Ski Size Chart, and weight adjusts it from there. Ability level spans 14 to 23 cm from beginner to expert, 17 cm of it at 170 cm of height, skiing style changes by ±2 cm, and ski type changes by -12 to +7 cm, depending on the discipline.
Who needs a ski length calculator?
First-time ski buyers who have never picked out skis before and need a place to start, intermediate skiers who are upgrading from rental skis to their first personal pair, advanced skiers who are switching disciplines (like from all-mountain to powder or carving), parents buying skis for kids or teens who are growing, and ski rental shops that need to quickly assign the right length to customers all use this calculator.
How to figure out the length of a ski
- Base length from height and ability: the calculator reads the Ski Size Chart below for your height and ability level, interpolating between rows.
- Adjusting for ability: at 170 cm of height the chart gives a beginner about 157 cm, an intermediate 163 cm, an advanced skier 168 cm and an expert 174 cm. The spread from beginner to expert is 17 cm at 170 cm of height, and it is not flat: across the whole chart it runs 14 to 23 cm, widest for short skiers and narrowest for tall ones, because the ability columns converge as the skis get longer.
- Change in skiing style: Easy-going -2 cm. Average: no change. Aggressive +2 cm.
- Adjusting the type of ski: every figure below is measured against your all-mountain length, the same way the ski type table further down states them, so the two can be read side by side. slalom racing 12 cm shorter, moguls 12 cm shorter, groomers and carving 7 cm shorter, touring 5 cm shorter, terrain park 5 cm shorter, powder 7 cm longer, gs racing 7 cm longer. All-mountain is the reference and carries no adjustment.
- Final result: Rounded to the closest cm and shown with a range of ±3 cm.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a beginner's skis be if they are 175 cm tall?
If you are a novice who is 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) tall and weighs about 75 kg (165 lb), you should start with skis that are 159 to 165 cm long. The chart puts a 175 cm beginner near 162 cm, and 75 kg (165 lb) sits inside the typical band for that height, so the calculator returns 162 cm. When you are learning how to ski, it is really important to be able to control and turn your skis easily.
Should I get longer skis for powder?
Yes. When skiing in deep powder, make your skis 7 cm longer than they usually are for all-mountain skiing. Longer skis have more surface area and stay on top of the snow. Some skiers go 10 cm or more longer than their groomer length for particularly deep snow or tree skiing. The calculator adds 7 cm for the Powder ski type on top of your all-mountain length.
How does body weight affect ski length?
Heavier skiers need longer skis to properly use the flex and edge grip of the skis. A skier who weighs 100 kg (220 lb) needs a longer ski than one who weighs 80 kg (176 lb). Lighter skiers can go shorter to make turning easier. The calculator compares your weight with the typical weight for your height and moves the length by 2 cm once you are outside that band, widening to 12 cm at the extremes of the weight range.
Is it okay to ski on skis that are 5 cm longer than advised?
Yes, intermediate and experienced skiers can comfortably ride 5 cm longer than recommended, especially at high speeds for extra stability. Beginners should stick to the suggested range because longer skis are much harder to turn and make skiing on green and blue runs more tiresome.
What is the difference between ski length and ski size?
They are the same thing. When people talk about ski length and size, they mean the length from tip to tail in centimeters. Some manufacturers also include a running length, which is the length of the contact area without the tip and tail rocker. However, the size that is always offered when you buy skis is the whole length.
Does the width of the skis affect the length I should choose?
Wider skis (90 mm+ waist) have greater surface area and float better in powder, so you can sometimes go a little shorter than what is suggested. Narrow carving skis (less than 75 mm) are made for hardpack and work best with the usual length or a little longer to keep the edges stable and the power going.
How do I pick the right ski length for my child?
Under 7, skis should reach the chest. From 7 to 12, the chin. From 13, the adult calculator works. When kids are just learning to ski, it is better for them to have shorter skis than longer ones. Control is more important than speed.
How long should carving skis be?
Carving skis are 7 cm shorter than all-mountain skis on this calculator because their deep sidecut radius makes turns happen more quickly. The calculator makes a -7 cm change for the Groomers and carving type. Many serious carvers go even shorter to make tighter, faster arcs on groomed pistes.
What size skis do I need for my height and weight?
A 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) skier weighing 75 kg needs skis between 162 and 173 cm depending on ability: beginners 162 cm, intermediate 168 cm, advanced 173 cm. Weight matters: if you are heavier than average for your height, go 5 cm longer. Use the calculator above for exact length based on all factors.
What size skis for a 5'9" woman?
160 to 170 cm depending on ability and weight. A beginner 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) woman weighing 65 kg (143 lb): 160 cm. Intermediate: 166 cm. Advanced: 171 cm. Women's ski models are the same length as men's for the same height and weight. The difference is flex and mounting position, not length.
Should I size up or down in skis?
Size down (shorter) if you are a beginner, prefer short turns, or ski park and freestyle: those three the calculator already applies. Age it does not: there is no age input, so if you are past 50 and want a few centimetres less for easier turning, take them off the figure yourself. Size up (longer) if you are advanced, ski fast, prefer freeride or powder, or weigh more than average for your height. When in doubt between two sizes, beginners go shorter, advanced go longer.
How long should my skis be for carving on piste?
7 cm shorter than your all-mountain size. For a 175 cm intermediate skier of average weight: all-mountain 168 cm, carving 161 cm. Shorter carving skis transition edge to edge faster. Slalom skis are shorter again. FIS sets a minimum length rather than a range and it differs by category: for the 2025/26 season, 155 cm for women and 165 cm for men, with no upper limit. Those are racing minima and say nothing about what to buy for skiing on piste; this calculator sizes recreational skis.
Are 160 cm skis right for me?
160 cm skis suit an intermediate skier of 164 to 165 cm, a beginner of 174 cm, or an advanced skier of 157 cm. Outside 160 to 176 cm of height, 160 cm skis are likely the wrong length. Use the calculator above or see the size chart below for your exact height and ability.
Ski Length Chart by Height, Weight and Ability
A 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) skier weighing 70 kg (154 lb) needs skis between 157 cm (beginner) and 181 cm (expert on powder), depending on ability and style. The chart below covers heights from 148 cm to 190 cm across four ability levels.
| Height | Weight | Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced | Expert / Freeride |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 148 cm / 4'10" | 40 to 50 kg / 88 to 110 lb | 128-133 cm | 133-140 cm | 140-148 cm | 148-155 cm |
| 155 cm / 5'1" | 45 to 55 kg / 99 to 121 lb | 135-140 cm | 140-148 cm | 148-155 cm | 155-160 cm |
| 160 cm / 5'3" | 50 to 60 kg / 110 to 132 lb | 140-148 cm | 148-155 cm | 155-160 cm | 160-168 cm |
| 165 cm / 5'5" | 55 to 65 kg / 121 to 143 lb | 148-153 cm | 153-160 cm | 160-165 cm | 165-172 cm |
| 170 cm / 5'7" | 60 to 75 kg / 132 to 165 lb | 153-160 cm | 160-165 cm | 165-170 cm | 170-177 cm |
| 175 cm / 5'9" | 65 to 80 kg / 143 to 176 lb | 158-165 cm | 165-170 cm | 170-175 cm | 175-182 cm |
| 180 cm / 5'11" | 70 to 85 kg / 154 to 187 lb | 165-170 cm | 170-175 cm | 175-180 cm | 180-187 cm |
| 185 cm / 6'1" | 75 to 90 kg / 165 to 198 lb | 170-175 cm | 175-180 cm | 180-185 cm | 185-191 cm |
| 190 cm / 6'3" | 80 to 95 kg / 176 to 209 lb | 175-180 cm | 180-185 cm | 185-190 cm | 190-195 cm |
- Beginners: shorter skis are easier to turn and more forgiving. Choose chin to nose height.
- Freeride and powder: go 7 cm longer for float and stability at speed.
- Park and freestyle: go 5 cm shorter for easier tricks and spins.
- Weight override: if you weigh more than the range for your height, go one row down.
- Chart assumes all-mountain skis and an average skiing style; the calculator adjusts for your ski type and style.
What Height Are My Skis For?
If you already own skis and want to check if they fit: 160 cm skis suit an intermediate skier of 164 to 165 cm. The reverse lookup below answers for ski lengths from 155 to 181 cm, the longest run where every ability level has a height that fits. Outside it, and at one length inside the wider range, some levels have no answer: nobody tall enough is a beginner on a 190 cm ski, and nobody short enough is an expert on a 130 cm one.
| Ski Length | Beginner Height | Intermediate Height | Advanced Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 130 cm | 144-150 cm (kids / short adults) | 139-145 cm | 132-138 cm |
| 140 cm | 154-159 cm | 148-154 cm | 141-147 cm |
| 150 cm | 162-167 cm | 157-161 cm | 151-156 cm |
| 155 cm | 166-171 cm | 160-166 cm | 155-160 cm |
| 160 cm | 170-176 cm | 165-170 cm | 160-165 cm |
| 165 cm | 175-180 cm | 170-175 cm | 164-170 cm |
| 170 cm | 180-185 cm | 174-180 cm | 169-175 cm |
| 175 cm | 184-190 cm | 179-185 cm | 174-180 cm |
| 180 cm | 189-195 cm | 184-190 cm | 179-185 cm |
Ski Length by Skiing Style
Carving skis are 7 cm shorter than your all-mountain size; powder skis are 7 cm longer. Adjust the calculator result based on your primary skiing discipline.
| Style | Length Adjustment | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Carving / piste | -5 to -10 cm | Shorter = quicker edge to edge, tighter turns |
| All-mountain | Reference size | Balanced for groomed and off-piste |
| Freeride / powder | +5 to +10 cm | Longer = more float, stability at speed |
| Park / freestyle | -5 cm | Shorter = easier spins, switch landing |
| Moguls | -10 to -15 cm | Very short for quick pivoting |
| Slalom racing | -10 to -15 cm (FIS) | Regulation minimum applies, then quick turns |
| GS racing | +5 to +10 cm (FIS) | Regulation minimum applies, then speed stability |
| Touring / ski touring | -5 to -10 cm | Lighter, easier to skin uphill |
Planning a touring setup? Touring skis are typically shorter and lighter than all-mountain. See our dedicated touring ski calculator for an exact recommendation, and check the matching ski pole length for your stance.
Ski Length for Women
Women's skis use the same length calculation as men's, but women's models are lighter and have a more forward mounting point for lower center of gravity. The length calculation is identical: a 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) woman weighing 60 kg (132 lb) needs the same ski length as a 165 cm man weighing 60 kg. The difference is in the ski construction (lighter core, softer flex, forward mounting), not in the length. Use the calculator above with your actual height and weight regardless of gender.
Ski Length for Kids
Children's skis should reach between the chest and chin when standing, not above the head. Kids need shorter skis relative to height than adults because they weigh less and ski slower. A child's skis should NOT be longer than their chin. Under 7: chest height. From 7 to 12: chin height. From 13 the adult calculator on this page applies. Do not buy skis "to grow into" because skis that are too long make learning harder and more dangerous.
Ski Length for Older Skiers
This calculator has no age input, so nothing below is applied to your result: it takes height, weight, ability, style and ski type and nothing else. Many skiers past 50 do go a few centimetres shorter than the figure it returns, for easier turning and less strain on the knees, and that is an adjustment to make yourself rather than one the calculator has made for you. As we age, reaction time slows and joints become more susceptible to injury. Shorter skis require less force to turn and are more forgiving on the legs. If you are 60+, consider going 10 cm shorter than the calculator result. After choosing length, calculate your DIN binding setting for safe release.
Last updated: May 2026
How ski length is calculated