What size and weight is a football?
Officials' detail · The pitch, the goal, the ball and the kit · 3 of 4Checked 13 October 2026
A match ball is round, 68 to 70 cm in circumference and 410 to 450 grams at the start of the match, with a pressure of 0.6 to 1.1 atmospheres. If it bursts or goes soft during play, the match stops and restarts with a dropped ball.
How it works
- Spherical, of suitable material, 68–70 cm round, 410–450 g at the start.
- Pressure 0.6 to 1.1 atmospheres at sea level.
- Balls in FIFA and confederation competitions carry a FIFA Quality mark.
- If the ball becomes defective in play: stop, replace it, dropped ball.
- If it becomes defective at a restart, the restart is taken again.
- If it becomes defective during a penalty as it moves forward, before touching anyone or the goal frame, the penalty is retaken.
- The ball cannot be changed without the referee's permission.
Tricky cases
What happens if the ball bursts during play?
Play stops, the ball is replaced and play restarts with a dropped ball.
Are children's footballs the same size?
No. Youth football can use a smaller, lighter ball.
Why the rule exists
A standard ball behaves the same everywhere, so skill, not equipment, makes the difference.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All football under the Laws | As above | L2 |
| Youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football | Size, weight and material can be changed | L Notes |
From the rule book
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 2, in force from 1 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: IFAB Laws of the Game (PDF).