What this calculator does
Ski length is commonly sized against a skier's own height, with a well-known rule of thumb: stood upright next to the skier, the top of the ski should land somewhere between the chin and the top of the head, with the exact spot shifting according to ability level and ski type. This ski length calculator turns a height and an ability level into a recommended length range using that guideline.
This is a starting point for narrowing down a size, not a substitute for a manufacturer's own size chart. Ski type (all-mountain, powder, race or carving skis are all sized differently), skiing style, and body weight all shift the ideal length further, sometimes by more than the range shown here.
The formula
The calculator subtracts an offset from height, where the offset depends on ability level. Beginners are generally sized shorter, with the ski top landing around chin height, for easier turning and control at slower speeds. Advanced and expert skiers are generally sized longer, with the ski top landing from around nose height up to the top of the head, since a longer ski holds an edge better at speed. Intermediate sits between the two.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ski length | The full length of the ski measured along its running length, in centimetres. |
| Ability level | A self-assessed skiing skill level: beginner, intermediate or advanced/expert, used to choose how far below (or close to) full height the ski should sit. |
| Sizing band | The chin-to-forehead range commonly used as a starting guideline, adjusted by ability level rather than fixed at one exact point. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Height (cm) | Your height without ski boots on, in centimetres. |
| Ability level | Your self-rated skiing ability: beginner, intermediate, or advanced/expert. |
When to use it
Choosing a first pair of skis
A beginner is usually better served by a shorter ski within the guideline range, since it turns more easily and is more forgiving at the low speeds most beginners ski at.
Sizing up as skiing improves
A skier who has progressed from beginner to intermediate or advanced often moves to a longer ski than they started on, which is a normal part of the guideline shifting with ability rather than a sign the first pair was wrong.
Buying for someone else, or as a gift
Height and a rough sense of their ability level are usually enough to narrow a ski purchase down to a sensible length range before checking a specific model's own chart.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
What ski length range does this guideline suggest by height, for an intermediate skier?
A range of heights, each converted to a recommended ski length range for an intermediate skier.
| Height | Recommended ski length range |
|---|---|
| 150 cm | 130 to 140 cm |
| 160 cm | 140 to 150 cm |
| 170 cm | 150 to 160 cm |
| 180 cm | 160 to 170 cm |
| 190 cm | 170 to 180 cm |
| 200 cm | 180 to 190 cm |
How the recommended range shifts by ability level, at a fixed height
A fixed 175 cm height, shown at each ability level.
| Ability level | Recommended ski length range |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 145 to 155 cm |
| Intermediate | 155 to 165 cm |
| Advanced/expert | 165 to 175 cm |
Questions
Should I always pick the middle of the recommended range?
Not necessarily. Lean towards the shorter end for easier turning and more forgiving handling, or towards the longer end for more stability at speed, within the range this guideline suggests.
Does ski type change the right length?
Yes, considerably. Powder skis are often sized longer than an all-mountain guideline would suggest, for extra float in soft snow, while race and carving-specific skis follow their own sizing conventions that can sit outside this general range entirely.
Does weight matter as well as height?
Yes. A heavier skier for their height generally suits a slightly longer ski than the height-only guideline suggests, and a lighter skier generally suits a slightly shorter one, since more weight needs more ski surface to control it.
Is this guideline exact enough to buy skis without checking anything else?
No. Treat it as a starting range to narrow the search, then check the specific ski model's own size chart, since manufacturers vary in how they size a given ski type and length can also depend on the ski's designed skill level.
For sizing another piece of gear against your own height using the same kind of guideline, see the tie length calculator.