What are the rules on the size of a cricket bat?
Officials' detail · What are the pitch, the ball and the bat? · 4 of 5Checked 13 October 2026
A bat is no more than 38 inches (96.52 cm) long. The blade is at most 4.25 inches (10.8 cm) wide and 2.64 inches (6.7 cm) deep, with edges no thicker than 1.56 inches (4 cm), and must pass through a bat gauge. The blade must be wood only.
How it works
- The bat has a handle, mainly cane or wood, and a blade of wood.
- Thin protective covering on the face and edges is allowed, up to 0.1 cm; toe protection up to 0.3 cm.
- Nothing on the bat may damage the ball more than normal wear.
- The Laws recognise four types of bat. Type A may be used at any level; the others only at levels each country allows.
- A glove on the hand holding the bat counts as the bat.
Tricky cases
Can a bat be made of metal or carbon?
No. The blade must be wood only.
Is there a limit on bat thickness?
Yes: depth 2.64 inches (6.7 cm) and edges 1.56 inches (4 cm).
Can the umpires stop a batter using a bat?
Yes. Umpires check bats against the limits and can stop a player using illegal equipment.
Why the rule exists
Size and material limits stop the bat outgrowing the contest between bat and ball.
Where it differs
The same in the Laws and the ICC men's playing conditions.
From the rule book
MCC Laws of Cricket, Laws 5.1 to 5.8, 2.5.2 and 41.17.6, 4th Edition, in force from 1 October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: MCC Laws of Cricket (PDF).