Want to know how much does a basketball weigh? Newcomers to basketball may think that each ball weighs the same. However, the weight of the ball can change depending on several factors. How much does a basketball weigh?
The average weight of a basketball is between 1.3 and 1.5 pounds (21 to 22 ounces). The overall weight of a basketball is also affected by the materials used in its construction.
How Much Does A Basketball Weigh
The NBA is the most competitive and successful basketball league in the world, and every player aspires to play there. The NBA is the best-known organization, but there are many others with different styles.
NBA rules and guidelines state that men’s basketball players must weigh 1.37 pounds to compete. On the other hand, the circumference is 29.5 inches long. As a result, you can determine with reasonable certainty how much an NBA basketball weighs.
The WNBA lowers the standard of weight and circumference of women because of their physicality. A WNBA basketball can weigh up to 1.13 pounds and has a circumference of 28.5 inches.
How Much Does A Basketball Weigh In Grams?
If you’re not sure what a pound means, don’t worry. The gram serves as the unit of measurement of weight in the metric system. All information is therefore presented in grammatical form for your convenience.
For junior balls, a size 4 basketball weighs approximately 397 grams. As was already mentioned, it is relatively light compared to other sizes.
Size 5’s weight increases significantly until it reaches 481 grams. It is easy to understand as this size is for children ten years old and above. As a result, athletes’ weight and size increase to fit their frames.
Many leagues and organizations now work with various manufacturing businesses to produce their tournaments.
The NBA is the benchmark for all basketball players as it is the most competitive league. They use a 623-gram ball that is 7 inches in diameter.
A slightly different metric is employed by the WNBA. They use a 6-size ball that weighs 510 grams and is 2-3 inches smaller in circumference.
These values will also change if the air inflation pressure in the ball is high.
Wilson balls are used by the NCAA in place of Spalding balls. His men’s basketball, which has a circumference of 30 inches and a weight similar to that of the NBA, is the result.
What Sizes Are Basketballs Available In?
Depending on the age of the participants, the circumference of a basketball can vary by up to 80% and still be suitable for use in the game.
While the typical ball used in the NBA is designated as a size 7, junior players can start with a ball that weighs 8oz, or approximately 225 grams.
The sizes and weights of the different balls that can be used are shown in the following chart:
| Size | Circumference | Weight |
| Size 1 | 16 inches | 8 ounces |
| Size 3 | 22 inches | 10 ounces |
| Size 4 | 25.5 inches | 14 ounces |
| Size 5 | 27.5 inches | 17 ounces |
| Size 6 | 28.5 inches | 20 oz |
| Size 7 | 29.5 inches | 22 oz |
What Size of A Women’s Basketball?
The women’s basketball has a diameter of 29 inches and weighs approximately 566 grams. The International Basketball Federation uses several methods to measure the size of a basketball.
They all weigh 566 grams, but due to the manufacturing process, they each feel slightly different in the hand. Women’s basketballs have a diameter of 29 inches, compared to 30.5 inches for men.
How Much Does A Women’s Basketball Weigh?
Men and women have different physical signs and characteristics. As a result, different basketball measuring standards were used. WNBA is a league exclusively for women where they can showcase their skills.
Most basketball league sizes fall into one of two types. The first one is large, measuring 29 inches in diameter and weighing 1.25 pounds. The length of this basketball is 6 inches.
The other measures just under 28 inches in diameter and weighs 1.125 pounds. Official match balls are selected based on match requirements, conditions, air pressure, inflation and other factors.
International Basketball Federation guidelines are followed for international forms. A molten basketball is slightly smaller and heavier than a Spalding basketball, despite sharing some of the same components.
These basketballs are made of premium leather. You should be able to move the ball around your finger as a result.
How Much Does A Mini Basketball Weigh?
The size of the basketball varies depending on the gender, age, and ability level of the participants.
In the game at the school level the ball can be GL’s for younger players. Mini basketballs are intended for children ages 3 to 5 and typically weigh around 0.625 pounds (10 pounds) or 283 grams (g).
How Much Does A Youth Basketball Weigh?
The youth league, commonly referred to as the junior basketball league, is the professional level for up-and-coming talent. Instead of playing basketball as we know it, they use a small collegiate ball.
Additionally, they use micro basketballs, which are lighter than the basketballs used by the NBA. Youth basketball is often classified as a size 5 by standard measurement.
Compared to an NBA basketball, it weighs about 1.25 pounds less. The circumference of the ring is approximately 27.5 inches. Any young player under the age of ten uses this type of ball for regular practice and competition.
Anyone eight years old or younger can use a size 4 basketball. The circumference of this ball is 25.5 inches, which is much less than the size of normal NBA balls. Typically, a size 4 weighs 0.87 pounds.
How Does A Properly Inflated Ball Weigh?
An ideal basketball usually doesn’t have enough inflation. If you’re playing basketball outside it’s doubtful you’ll see.
For professionals who play regularly, the same cannot be said. If you don’t understand the weight of a properly inflated basketball, you will overstretch or undercut your basketball.
A standard inflated basketball must weigh at least 22 pounds. On the other hand, the inflation error margin is around £0.03. So, if you stay within this range then it is great.
How Is The Air Measured In A Ball?
Your game can feel very different if you have a fair amount of air in your basketball. However, you must learn to measure air pressure in order to maintain the proper pressure.
Here, you’ll find out how to keep a basketball’s air density high using psi, or pounds per square inch, the measurement that has become the industry standard for measuring pressure in basketball. The pressure inside the basketball should be between 7.5 and 8.5 pounds per square inch.
A standard instrument for estimating the strength of a gas or liquid, a pressure gauge is ideal for measuring air pressure.
It has the ability to determine the total pressure trapped inside a small area. Determine the air pressure by gently inserting the gauge into the needle hole of the ball. The dial or screen will display the psi of the ball.
Weigh in WNBA
Weight 18-20 oz & maximum circumference 29 inches.
Weigh in International basketball (FIBA)
Basketballs must weigh between 20 and 23 ounces (567–650 grams) for men’s sports, while they must be at least 18 ounces (510 grams) and no more than 20 ounces for women’s sports (567 grams) needed.
Youth leagues around the world enable a wide range in the weight of basketball players.
The standard ball weight in North America is 14 ounces or 400 grams, and FIBA rules for international youth competitions call for ball weights of 16 to 17 ounces or 454 to 482 grams.
Weigh in College basketball (NCAA)
Boys basketballs must strictly weigh 20 ounces (or 560 grams). Whereas girls’ balls should strictly weigh 20 ounces (or 560 grams).
This creates a slightly peculiar situation where some junior female players may regularly use a ball. which is heavier than the one used by professionals in the WNBA.
Other Rules Govern The Properties of a Basketball?
Visible at the top is the air pressure inside the ball, which, when properly inflated, causes it to bounce so high but evenly.
You can use a gauge to determine the air pressure in a basketball, just as you would with a car tire. In the NBA and all other senior leagues, 8 PSI is the standard air pressure inside a basketball.
The more pressure inside the ball, the harder its outer surface is, and the higher it can bounce, both according to the laws of physics and our own experience playing with different types of inflatable balls.
A basketball is made hard enough to do so that it can bounce well and be thrown with great accuracy.
Many basketball players will also attest to the fact that catching and dribbling an under-inflated ball can be very challenging as it will move more slowly, while an over-inflated ball can result in serious injury from trapping your fingers.
Some Interesting Facts Are There About Basketballs
- The design and grain of a basketball are meant to closely reflect those of a baseball.
- Fine, full-grain leather is used to make basketballs.
- Basketballs that are approved for use in the NBA, WNBA, as well as the top European league, the Euroleague, are manufactured by Spalding on an official basis.
- Company founder Albert Goodwill Spalding played professional baseball as a pitcher for the Boston Red Stockings (eventually merged with the Atlanta Braves), and while he was still playing, he established a sporting products store in Chicago. The business later evolved to include manufacturing and distribution, and it is still operating today some 120 years later.
- In 2021, a basketball with full-grain leather is estimated to cost around $170 (or just over £123 sterling).
Final Words
Basketballs can be measured in a variety of ways, including circumference, inflation pressure, and overall weight. When choosing a basketball, take into account your gender, age and the league in which you will play.
In different leagues, basketballs are of different sizes and weights. Hence, knowing the appropriate size is essential to avoid being out of the game.
We’ve talked about how much a basketball weighs in pounds, grams or ounces and how it affects a player’s performance, so hopefully you’re familiar with basketball sizes. As a result, you will be able to understand the game better.
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