How to Choose the Right Cricket Bat Size (with Sizing Charts)

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Cricket coach Zendon Verster helps you find the perfect bat size for your next game

Co-authored by Zendon Verster and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: January 7, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Size Chart
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• Other Considerations
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• Junior vs. Adult
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• Short vs. Long Handle
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• Choosing a Bat
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• Video
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• Tips

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When you want to do your best when you’re batting in a cricket game, using the right size bat will make it easier to swing and get a hit. Sizes are split into junior and adult sizes, and it’s really easy to find the perfect fit based on your height. Keep reading, and we’ll walk through the standard bat sizes available and how to choose the one for your body size, with expert insights from cricket coach Zendon Verster. We’ll also cover other characteristics to keep in mind when picking the right bat for you!

Adult & Junior Cricket Bat Sizes

Cricket coach Zendon Verster says that the right cricket bat size for you depends on your height and how much weight you can lift. Junior sizes range from 0-6 or harrow, and are shorter and thinner. Adult sizes include short adult, full size (short handle), and full size (long handle).

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Section 1 of 5:

Cricket Bat Size Chart

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Bat Size	Player Height	Age	Bat Length	Bat Width
0	Up to 4'0" (120 cm)	3 - 4	24 in (61 cm)	3.5 in (8.9 cm)
1	4'0" - 4'3" (122 - 130 cm)	4 - 5	26.5 in (67 cm)	3.5 in (8.9 cm)
2	4'3" - 4'6" (130 - 137 cm)	6 - 7	27.5 in (70 cm)	3.5 in (8.9 cm)
3	4'6" - 4'8" (137 - 142 cm)	7 - 9	28.5 in (72 cm)	3.54 in (9 cm)
4	4'8" - 4'11" (142 - 150 cm)	9 - 11	29.5 in (75 cm)	3.74 in (9.5 cm)
5	4'11" - 5'2" (150 - 157 cm)	10 - 12	30.5 in (77 cm)	3.94 in (10 cm)
6	5'2" - 5'5" (157 - 165 cm)	11 - 13	31.5 in (80 cm)	3.94 in (10 cm)
Harrow	5'5" - 5'7" (165 - 170 cm)	13 - 15	32.5 in (82.5 cm)	3.94 in (10 cm)
Small Adult	5'7" - 5'9" (170 - 175 cm)	15+	32.75 in (83 cm)	4.2 in (10.7 cm)
Adult Short Handle	5'9" - 6'0"(175 - 183 cm)	15+	33.5 in (85 cm)	4.2 in (10.7 cm)
Adult Long Handle	6'0" (183 cm) or taller	15+	34.5 in (88 cm)	4.2 in (10.7 cm)

1. Verster says the right bat size mainly depends on your height. For example, if you’re 5’9 (175 cm tall), you’ll use an adult short handle bat. If you’re 4’9 to 4’11 (145-150 cm), you’d go with bat size 4.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Zendon Verster is a cricket coach based in South Africa with over 14 years of experience. He’s also the co-founder of the largest online cricket coaching platform, CoachCricXI.
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Section 2 of 5:

Other Considerations for Choosing a Cricket Bat

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1. 
   1
   Bat weight Cricket bats typically weigh between 2.44–3 pounds (1.11–1.36 kg) and are split into 3 different classifications. Lighter bats give you a faster, smoother swing, but your hits might not be as powerful. Heavier bats give you more power, but they’re slower to swing.

   • Lightweight: 2.44–2.625 pounds (1.107–1.191 kg)
   • Midweight: 2.625–2.875 pounds (1.191–1.304 kg)
   • Heavyweight: 2.875–3 pounds (1.304–1.361 kg)
2. 
   2
   Bat material Cricket bats are typically made Kashmir willow or English willow. If you’re a beginner playing with softballs or tennis balls, use a heavier Kashmir cricket bat made from denser wood. When you’re playing with a hard ball and want the best performance, get a lighter English willow bat instead.

   • Kashmir willow cricket bats are usually best for kids and younger players because they’re more durable.
3. 
   3
   Willow grades The willow grade refers to the quality of the willow wood used to make the bat. Grades are usually determined by the number and straightness of the wood grains, the color, the density, and blemishes on the surface. While Grade 1 is usually considered the best quality, most of the differences are aesthetic.

   • Grade 1: 6+ straight grains without any blemishes or discoloration on the wood
   • Grade 2: ~6 grains that are mostly straight; some small blemishes or knots in the wood
   • Grade 3: ~5 grains that may not be straight; different colors and small knots in the wood
   • Grade 4: 4-5 grains that may be crooked; may have larger knots or blemishes in the wood
   • "Making sure that the bat is the correct length and weight is more important than what grade or quality the bat is, in my opinion,” Verster says.
4. 
   4
   Bat profile Cricket bats are usually split between full and concave profiles. A full profile is thicker and has more wood on the back of the bat, so they can help you get more power but tend to be heavier. Concave bats have some of the wood taken out, so they’re lighter and easier to hold.
5. 
   5
   Handle shape Cricket bat handles are usually oval-shaped or round, and what you choose depends on what feels most comfortable in your grip. Oval handles can give you a lot more control of the bat with your top hand, but they’re a little tougher to grip. Round handles give you control with your bottom hand, which can help out if you’re a power hitter.
6. 
   6
   Batting style Cricket bats are pretty versatile regardless of your batting style, but it can make a little difference depending on where you hit the ball. Choosing a bat based on your batting style may help you improve your game.

   • If you hit powerful, straight shots, choose a “low” bat that has a sweet spot closer to the end of the bat.
   • If you play off of your front foot, use a “medium” bat with a sweet spot right in the middle.
   • If you’re batting off your back foot or hit hook shots, then choose a “high” bat where the sweet spot is closer to the handle.
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Section 3 of 5:

Difference Between Junior and Adult Cricket Bats

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1. 
   Junior bats are shorter, thinner, and lighter than adult bats. Junior bats are made for younger children or shorter players, so they’re smaller and easier to hold. As you keep playing cricket and move up into adult sizes, the bats get longer and have a larger surface area.

   • The smallest junior bats are usually made with Kashmir willow, which is more durable but doesn’t give you a lot of power.

Section 4 of 5:

Short Handle vs. Long Handle Cricket Bats

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1. 
   Short handles are standard, but long handles are good for taller players. Most cricket bats use short handles (SH), and they work best for players who are under 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. If you’re taller than 6 ft (1.8 m), a long handle (LH) can help you reach the ball without slouching or leaning in your stance.

   • Verster says there are regulations on what the total blade length of a cricket bat is allowed to be based on height, and those regulations dictate whether you need a long handle or a short handle. Players that are 6’2 (188 cm) and up can transition to longer handles, but he says that many tall players still prefer the short handles.
   • Keep in mind that handle length is not the same thing as blade length. Verster says the blade length will be the same regardless of if it's a short handle or long handle. “There's a maximum allowed blade length, which you're not allowed to go over.” So, if you’re taller, then you’ll use the maximum blade length with a slightly longer handle.
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Section 5 of 5:

How to Choose the Right Cricket Bat

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1. 
   1
   Select a bat size based on your height. Verster says to consider your physical height when choosing the right bat size, then consult one of the standard charts. Measure your height before purchasing a new bat so you know which size to get. If you’re torn between two different sizes, try picking them both up and doing a few practice swings to see what feels best.

   • Verster says the bat weight is also a factor. “If you're strong at a young age,” he says, “you can get away with a slightly heavier bat within that size frame.” If you aren’t super strong, you’ll want a lighter bat because hand speed equals power. “The faster you can move that bat through your contact point, the harder you can hit it,” Verster explains.
   • According to Verster, if the bat is too short, it can be tough to get down onto certain balls, where the ball has to bounce when you're bowling. “If a bowler bowls a really full ball, which is a ball that bounces close to you,” he says, “you need to be able to get that bat down onto that ball. If the bat's too short, that can make it very challenging.”
   • “If the bat is too big,” he continues, “it's hard to swing it efficiently. It's probably going to be too heavy, as well, which means you're going to lose your shape. Losing your shape means you lose your consistency."
2. 
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   Pick the bat that feels the most comfortable. It takes a little trial and error to find a cricket bat that’s the perfect fit, so take a few test swings with each one. As long as you’re getting the right size for your height, the rest really comes down to your personal preference and what feels best.
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Tips

• Get a couple of bats to alternate between so they don’t wear out as quickly.
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• If you’re ever not sure which cricket bat to get, talk to an employee at your local sporting goods store for advice.
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