Volume should be a guide, not a rule, and this chart can help you figure out a good ballpark volume for you to base your boards off of. Ability/weight/volume numbers are not exact science, but will give you an idea of where to start. This chart is assuming that we are talking about a basic performance board to be ridden in average/good waves. Generally speaking you would want to ADD volume for a board designed for smaller, weaker conditions

  • You would ADD volume for a step-up board for use in bigger, more powerful waves
  • Wearing a lot of rubber (thick wetsuit, booties, etc.) adds to your weight and diminishes paddle power, so ADDING a little additional foam will help you.
  • You want to balance the added ease of paddling (more volume) with sensitivity and performance (less volume)

Surfboard Volume Calculator

Weight 75 kg
Slide to set your weight
Skill Level
Wave Quality
Recommended Volume
36.0 L
Ideal Range: 35.0 – 37.0 L

Volume Reference Guide

Weight Beginner Intermediate Advanced Pro
80 lb36 kg23.9L19.9L16.75L15.9L
85 lb38.25 kg24.4L20.7L17.4L16.6L
90 lb40.5 kg25.7L21.5L18L17.2L
95 lb42.75 kg26.5L22.1L18.5L17.7L
100 lb45 kg27.2L22.6L19L18.2L
110 lb49.5 kg29.2L24.4L20.5L19.5L
120 lb54 kg31L25.9L21.8L20.7L
130 lb58.5 kg31.8L26.5L22.3L21.2L
140 lb63 kg33.3L27.8L23.3L22.2L
145 lb65.25 kg34.5L28.8L24.2L23L
150 lb67.5 kg35.7L29.8L25L23.8L
155 lb69.75 kg36.9L30.8L25.8L24.6L
160 lb72 kg38.1L31.9L26.7L25.4L
165 lb74.25 kg39.3L32.8L27.5L26.2L
170 lb76.5 kg40.5L33.7L28.3L27L
175 lb78.75 kg41.7L34.7L29.2L27.8L
180 lb81 kg42.9L35.7L30L28.6L
185 lb83.25 kg44L36.7L30.9L29.4L
190 lb85.5 kg45.2L37.7L31.7L30.2L
195 lb87.75 kg46.4L38.7L32.5L31L
200 lb90 kg47.6L39.7L33.4L31.8L
210 lb94.5 kg50L41.7L35L33.4L
220 lb99 kg53.9L44.9L37.7L36L
230 lb103.5 kg57.9L48.2L40.5L38.6L
240 lb108 kg62L51.7L43.5L41.4L
250 lb114 kg66.1L55.2L46.5L44.2L
260 lb118 kg70.2L58.7L49.5L47L
270 lb123 kg75L62.7L53L49.8L
  • These values are intended as guidelines: weight, skill level, and volume are not an exact science, but rather a starting point.
  • Add volume if you usually surf in smaller or less powerful conditions.
  • Also add volume if you are looking for a step-up board for larger, more powerful waves.
  • If you normally surf wearing a lot of neoprene (thick wetsuit, boots, etc.), the extra weight is generally compensated for by adding a little more volume.
  • Always aim to find the right balance between paddling ease (more volume) and sensitivity/performance (less volume).