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Baseball Bat Size Chart + Buying Guide

WriterAubrey McShan
15 min read

Finding the perfect baseball bat can be a fickle journey. You might even be tempted to simply pick any bat in the aisle to get on the field quicker. But stick with us! You’ll learn how to choose a bat that improves your game so you’re hitting home runs in no time.

We created detailed baseball bat size charts so you know you’re choosing the best one for you:

Key Takeaways

Find the Perfect Baseball Bat Size Before You Buy

A baseball bat size chart can help you narrow down how long the bats you consider should be compared to your current height. Let’s make sure yours fits you!

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Youth & Adult Baseball Bat Size Chart
Weight (lbs.) Height (feet)
3' - 3'4" 3'5" - 3'8" 3'9" - 4' 4'1" - 4'4" 4'5" - 4'8" 4'9" - 5' 5'1" - 5'4" 5'5" - 5'8" 5'9" - 6' 6'1"+
Under 60 26" bat 27" bat 28" bat 28" bat 29" bat - - - - -
61-70 27" bat 27" bat 28" bat 28" bat 30" bat 30" bat - - - -
71-80 - 28" bat 28" bat 28" bat 30" bat 30" bat 31" bat - - -
81-90 - 28" bat 29" bat 29" bat 30" bat 30" bat 31" bat 32" bat - -
91-100 - 28" bat 29" bat 30" bat 30" bat 31" bat 31" bat 32" bat - -
101-110 - 29" bat 29" bat 30" bat 30" bat 31" bat 31" bat 32" bat - -
111-120 - 29" bat 29" bat 30" bat 30" bat 31" bat 31" bat 32" bat - -
121-130 - 29" bat 30" bat 30" bat 30" bat 31" bat 32" bat 33" bat 33" bat -
131-140 - 29" bat 30" bat 30" bat 31" bat 31" bat 32" bat 33" bat 33" bat -
141-150 - - 30" bat 31" bat 31" bat 31" bat 32" bat 33" bat 33" bat -
151-160 - - 30" bat 31" bat 31" bat 32" bat 32" bat 33" bat 33" bat 33" bat
161-170 - - - 31" bat 31" bat 32" bat 32" bat 33" bat 33" bat 34" bat
171-180 - - - - - 32" bat 33" bat 33" bat 34" bat 34" bat
180+ - - - - - - 33" bat 33" bat 34" bat 34" bat

How long is a baseball bat? All baseball bats are between 24–34 inches long — depending on the player’s age and league regulations.

Expert Tip:

Need some more help finding the perfect size for your little slugger? Take a look at our Tee Ball Bat Sizing Guide. You’ll find a deeper breakdown for budding players.

Use Our Baseball Bat Weight Charts by League

We created the following baseball bat weight size charts for popular age brackets and baseball leagues. Each player's strength and swing speed will differ, so use these charts as a guide.

Before we proceed, you’ll need to know how weight impacts your bat size. Drop and length on bats to ounces is what is known as ‘bat drop’. For example, a bat that weighs 20 ounces and is 30 inches long will have a drop of -10.

Little League Bat Weight Chart

Having a properly sized youth baseball bat helps younger players excel at the plate! Despite the rapid growth that happens, choose a bat weight (and length) that feels good for your child’s current size.

Here are our general baseball bat weight recommendations for players aged 8-10 in Little League:

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Little League Bat Weight/Drop Chart (Ages 8-10)
Player Height Bat Weight Bat Length Bat Drop
4’ - 4’2” 16-17 ounces 28 inches -11 or -12
4’3” - 4’6” 17-18 ounces 28 inches -10 or -11
4’7” - 4’9” 18-19 ounces 29 inches -10 or -11
5’ or taller 19-20 ounces 30 inches -10 or -11
The measurements, weights, and drops are only general recommendations.

Youth Bat Weight Chart

Looking for a baseball bat size and weight chart for your youth player? Youth players between the ages of 11-14 have a substantial range in bat drops and weight. Here are our recommendations:

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Youth Bat Weight/Drop Chart (Ages 11-14)
Player Height Bat Weight Bat Length Bat Drop
4’6” or shorter 18-19 ounces 28-29 inches -10 or -11
4’7” - 4’9” 19-20 ounces 29-30 inches -10 or -11
5’ - 5’2” 24-26 ounces 31-32 inches -6, -7, -8
5’3” - 5’5” 26-28 ounces 31-32 inches -5 or -6
5’6” or taller 29-30 ounces 32-33 inches -3 or -4
The measurements, weights, and drops are only general recommendations.

High School & College Bat Weight Chart

Want to find the best BBCOR bat weight for your height? Use our chart below to choose the best bat weight that supports your swing style (no matter if you prefer speed or power):

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High School & College Bat Weight/Drop Chart (Ages 15+)
Player Height Bat Weight Bat Length Bat Drop
5’6” - 5’8” 29-30 ounces 32-33 inches -3
5’9” - 6’ 29-30 ounces 32-33 inches -3
6’1” - 6’3” 30-31 ounces 33-34 inches -3
6’4” or taller 30-31 ounces 33-34 inches -3
The measurements, weights, and drops are only general recommendations.

What Does Bat Drop Mean?

Baseball bat drop is the difference between the length of the bat (measured in inches) and the weight of the bat (measured in ounces). Use this easy formula when you need to calculate your bat’s drop: Bat Length - Bat Weight = Bat Drop.

Lower Bat Drop

  • Older or stronger players usually favor lower drop weights, which offer increased power.
  • The older you get, the weight drop lowers and the bats get heavier.

Higher Bat Drop

  • The higher in number the drop weight, the lighter the bat.
  • Younger or weaker players can benefit from higher drop weight, which helps improve bat speed.

What Size Baseball Bat Do I Need?

Bat size consists of bat length, weight, and drop measurements. Bat length affects your swing mechanics and plays a major part in the way that you cover the plate. You can find the right length for you with a simple three-step measuring technique using your body.

Boy swings his baseball bat in the batting cage wearing a black hoodie and helmet

Getting the Right Baseball Bat Length

The right baseball bat length depends a lot on personal preference. A too-long bat may also be too heavy, which can impair your swing speed. Take multiple swings. If the bat feels heavy, you’ll likely need a shorter bat length that weighs less, too.

  • When using a heavier bat, you may want to drop an inch of length from your bat to get a better handle on the extra weight.

  • Weight distribution along the bat's length may also vary slightly, which you'll feel as you swing your bat.

  • Bats with most of the weight loaded at the end of the barrel will generate more power with a whip-like swing action.

  • Bats with an evenly distributed weight will generally give the hitter more control and overall swing speed.

Determine the Best Bat Weight

  • Hold the bat by the grip with your arm extended to your side for 30–45 seconds. If this feels like a challenge, your bat is probably too heavy for you.

  • When you’re up to bat, if you’re dropping your bat and swinging “up,” you may need a lighter bat. If you’re swinging across the plate before the ball gets there, you may need a heavier bat.

Measure Yourself for an Accurate Baseball Bat Size

To find the correct baseball bat length for you, use your body to measure the fit in three steps:

Measure with Your Arm

A depiction of how to measure your baseball bat from your chest to hand

Step 1: Measure with Your Arm

  • Place the knob of the bat in the middle of your chest and extend one arm to the side.

  • Your bat is sized correctly if the end of the barrel is even with your knuckles.

  • If the end cap touches your wrist or palm, the bat is probably too short.

  • If the end cap extends beyond your fingers, it is probably too long.

Measure from Your Chest

A depiction of how to measure your baseball bat hand extended out from your chest in front of you

Step 2: Measure from Your Chest

  • Position the knob of the bat in the center of your chest.

  • Hold the bat out perpendicular to your body and parallel to the ground

  • If you can reach the base of the barrel with your fingertips, the bat is the right length for you

Measure Standing Up

A depiction of how to measure your baseball bat standing up

Step 3: Measure Standing Up

  • Stand the bat next to you with the end cap on the ground.

  • If you can reach the knob with the center of your palm, then the bat is probably the correct length.

Expert Tip:

This measuring technique works for adults as well as youth players with one exception. When standing the bat up next to your child, if the bat falls near their hip, it is correctly sized.

Understanding the Anatomy of a Baseball Bat

A standard baseball bat for both kids and adults alike can be broken down into six main areas: the handle, knob, grip, taper, barrel, and cap. Bat length is measured in inches from the knob to the cap.

If you’re brand new to baseball, you might not know the general design of a baseball bat. Use the following graphic to help you navigate measuring yourself for the best bat length:

A depiction of the anatomy of a baseball bat

Expert Tip:

The longer the bat, the more plate you’ll cover but the heavier the bat will be. The heavier the bat, the more power you’ll need to swing the bat.

Different Types of Baseball Bats

Baseball bats vary on how they’re constructed and what material they’re made of. The type of bat you choose depends on:

  • 1: Your league’s regulations

  • 2: Your personal preference for the bat’s fit and feel

Baseball Bat Construction

One-Piece Bats

Marucci CATX 2023 BBCOR Baseball Bat
  • One-piece bats are made of one, continuous piece of material throughout.

  • This type of construction makes for a stronger bat with more balance — making it a great option for beginner baseball players.

  • One-piece baseball bats demand more power to hit the ball further. They also tend to vibrate more on contact with the ball.

Two-Piece Bats

Demarini Goods Half N Half 2022 BBCOR Baseball Bat (-3)
  • Two-piece bats are constructed by fusing a barrel and handle together at the end of the manufacturing process.

  • This split design can provide more flex on contact with the ball and less vibration — making them a good option for players who want to avoid that stinging feeling when they hit the ball.

  • You may also feel more ‘whip’ in your swing with a two-piece bat, giving you more speed and power.

You can find three-piece bats, too! Similar to the two-piece bat construction, a bat with ‘three pieces’ simply means that the bat is made with three different metals. This offers players the opportunity to swing with a more evenly distributed weight. You’ll find these bats often feel lighter and allow for a quicker swing.

Baseball Bat Materials

Alloy Bats

Louisville Slugger Atlas BBCOR Baseball Bat
  • Alloy bats are durable and come ready for use.

  • No break-in period, along with their affordability, makes them a great choice for training.

  • Although they have a smaller sweet spot than other materials, their ability to withstand any temperature means how you hit the ball won’t change with the weather.

Wooden Bats

Victus Sports Pro Cut Wood Bat
  • Wood bats are the most popular type of bat and offer the best balance for a more controlled swing — although they do lack the power and durability of an alloy bat.

  • They are most often made of ash, maple, or birch wood.

  • Because varying wood types can yield a variety of overall bat quality, wood bats often have a drop weight of 3 to standardize purchasing.

Composite Bats

Demarini The Goods One Piece SL 2022 USSSA Baseball Bat
  • Composite baseball bats are crafted with materials such as reinforced carbon fiber polymers that reduce vibration and tend to have larger sweet spots.

  • They can put a lot of pop and power behind your swing and are good for reducing the sting felt by making poor contact.

  • They’re more expensive than other types and typically require a break-in period of about 150-200 hits. They’re also temperature-sensitive and not recommended to use in weather colder than 65°F.

Hybrid Bats

Axe Avenge Pro 2022 Hybrid Bat
  • Hybrid bats are crafted from a blend of aluminum alloy and composite components working in tandem. These baseball bats deliver the best characteristics of alloy and composite bats.

  • They typically utilize the composite handle’s knack for reducing vibration and complementing it with the alloy barrel’s no break-in period feature.

  • They’re also comparably lightweight but on the more expensive end of types of bats.

Expert Tip:

Always check with your league’s regulations to confirm your type of bat is legal for play.

Baseball Bat Certifications + League Regulations

The three most common governing bodies for bats are USABat, BBCOR, and USSSA. You’ll see these logos stamped usually on the barrel of approved bats.

No matter your age or skill level, every baseball league follows equipment regulations. Check with your coach and/or league official to make sure your bat meets league requirements.

Tee Ball Bat Standards

A child swings a Tee Ball bat and hits the ball lightly in a black jersey and red helmet
  • T-ball bats for players have their own standards.

  • Bats approved by USABat must be 24-26 inches long.

  • Players who use Tee Ball bats are between 4-7 years old.

  • Learn more about Tee Ball bat standards.

USSSA Standards

A youth baseball player swings his USSSA baseball bat at the ball at home plate in a blue and yellow jersey
  • USSSA provides energy transfer bat regulations for leagues governed by USSSA.

  • Standards were set in 2005 and are mostly used for on-the-go tournaments.

  • Eligible bats need a 1.15 BPF-certified thumbprint stamp on their taper.

  • Players ages 7-13 use USSSA bats.

USABat Standards

A youth baseball player readies himself with a test swing of his USABat at home plate in a blue jersey
  • This standard creates a more uniform wood-like bat performance in youth bats.

  • USABat still allows players between 7-13 years old to swing lightweight models, too.

  • Bat models older than 2018 may no longer be eligible to use on the field.

BBCOR Standards

A high school baseball player hits the ball with the swing of his baseball bat toward third base
  • This body governs high school and collegiate ages between 14-18 years old.

  • These standards permit bats with a drop of -3 or less at these levels.

  • Bats with a BBCOR stamp are either wood or perform like wood.

Expert Tip:

BBCOR and USABat baseball bats have a similar design, but the latter are usually lighter and therefore easier for younger players to swing.

Top Baseball Bat Brands

Ready to start the hunt for the perfect baseball bat for your game? Academy offers a wide selection of the top baseball bat brands, including Rawlings, Easton, Marucci, Louisville Slugger, DeMarini, & more.

Have Fun Out There!

Nothing says baseball quite like the sweet “Clang!” the ball makes when it hits the bat at home plate. As long as you’re within league rules, the best bat size is the one that is most comfortable in your hands at the plate.

Find the perfect bat and shop all your baseball gear at Academy Sports + Outdoors in-store and online. Learn how to choose the right baseball glove to get fully ready for game day at the ballpark.