Free tool
Yoga ball size chart
Use your height to pick a yoga ball. As general guidance, people under 160 cm usually suit a 55 cm ball, people from 160 to 180 cm a 65 cm ball, and over 180 cm a 75 cm ball. Then check: sitting on the inflated ball with feet flat, your hips should be level with or slightly above your knees.
Yoga Ball Size Chart
| Your height (approx.) | Ball diameter |
|---|---|
| Under 160 cm | 55 cm |
| 160 to 180 cm | 65 cm |
| Over 180 cm | 75 cm |
General guidance: when you sit on the inflated ball with feet flat, your hips should be level with or a little above your knees. Check the maker's own size chart, and see yoga balls sold in the Philippines.
How does the yoga ball size chart work?
The chart matches your height to one of three common ball diameters:
| Your height (approx.) | Ball diameter |
|---|---|
| Under 160 cm | 55 cm |
| 160 to 180 cm | 65 cm |
| Over 180 cm | 75 cm |
Height is a shortcut for leg length, which is what really decides the fit. That is why the chart is followed by a quick check in person.
How do you check the fit?
- Inflate the ball to the diameter printed on the box or in the instructions. Many makers suggest letting it settle for a day and topping it up.
- Sit in the centre of the ball with your feet flat on the floor, about hip-width apart.
- Look at your hips and knees from the side, or ask someone to. Your hips should be level with or a little above your knees, with your thighs roughly parallel to the floor or sloping slightly down.
- If your knees sit higher than your hips, try the next size up or add air. If your feet barely reach the floor, go down a size.
Always follow the maker’s own size chart where it differs from this one, since ball shapes and materials vary. Also check the weight limit and whether the ball is labelled anti-burst. For brands and what to look for in local shops, see the guide to yoga balls sold in the Philippines.
How do you use the result?
A well-fitted ball makes seated work and many floor exercises easier to control. Start with simple moves close to the ground, such as seated pelvic tilts or bridges with your feet on the ball, before trying anything that lifts you higher. The core exercises guide has steps you can adapt to the ball. Browse the rest of the yoga gear guides for mats, blocks and straps.
What are the limits?
The chart is general guidance, not a fitting by a professional. Use the ball on a non-slip surface, away from sharp objects and furniture edges, and check it for wear. If you have back pain, balance problems or a recent injury, ask a doctor or physio which exercises suit you.
If you are pregnant, check with your OB or midwife before using a ball, and see Joahnna Lee’s pregnancy and postpartum guides for pregnancy-specific advice.
What this tool draws on
Once you have the right size, these are the pages with moves you can do on the ball.
It is one of 28 free yoga and studio tools on the site, and none of them needs a sign-up.
Sources: Mayo Clinic, Fitness program: 5 steps to get started; NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health), Yoga: Effectiveness and Safety; NHS, Exercise in pregnancy; CDC, Pregnant & Postpartum Activity: An Overview; Canadian Family Physician (Chan et al., 2014), via PubMed Central, Hot yoga and pregnancy: Fitness and hyperthermia. Last reviewed 2 October 2026.
Questions
What if you are between two sizes on the yoga ball size chart?
Do the sitting check. If your hips sit below your knees on the smaller ball, go up a size. Leg length matters as much as height, so two people of the same height can need different balls. A slightly smaller ball can also be inflated a little firmer.
Does inflation change which yoga ball size fits?
Yes. A ball that is under-inflated sits lower and feels softer, so it can seem a size too small. Inflate it to the diameter the maker states, usually measured with a tape against a wall, before you judge the fit.
Is the yoga ball size chart the same for desk sitting and for exercise?
Mostly. For sitting at a desk, also check that your elbows rest near desk height with your shoulders relaxed. For exercises such as bridges or wall squats, the height-based size is a good start, and a slightly softer ball can feel more stable.
What can you use a yoga ball for?
A well-fitted ball is useful for seated work and many floor exercises, such as seated pelvic tilts, bridges with the feet on the ball and core exercises you adapt to it. Some people also sit on one at a desk. Start with simple moves close to the ground before trying anything that lifts you higher.
How do you measure the diameter of a yoga ball?
Inflate the ball and stand it against a wall. Lay a book or other flat object on top so it touches the wall, mark the wall at that height, then move the ball away and measure from the floor to the mark. Compare it with the diameter the maker states, and add air if it is short.
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