Baseball Bat Size Chart: What Size Bat Do I Need?
Short answer: most players aged 7 to 8 swing a 27- or 28-inch bat, 9 to 10 a 29-inch, 11 to 12 a 30- or 31-inch, 13 to 14 a 31- or 32-inch, and 15 and up a 33-inch.
Length is only half of bat size. The drop sets the weight, and your league sets which drops you can swing. Use the charts below, then check the fit with the three quick tests.
Baseball Bat Size Chart by Age
These are common starting points, not rules. Size up for a taller or stronger player, and down for a smaller one.
| Age | Bat length | Common bat |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 26 in | USA Baseball -10 |
| 7–8 | 27–28 in | USA Baseball or USSSA -10 |
| 9–10 | 29 in | USA Baseball or USSSA -10 |
| 11–12 | 30–31 in | USA Baseball or USSSA -10, or a -8 for a strong player |
| 13–14 | 31–32 in | USSSA -8 or -5 at 13U, BBCOR -3 at most 14U events |
| 15 and up | 33 in, or 34 in for bigger, stronger players | BBCOR -3 |
Bat Weight Chart by Drop
The drop is the bat's length in inches minus its weight in ounces. A 30-inch, 20-ounce bat is a -10. A bigger drop number means a lighter bat.
| Length | -10 | -8 | -5 | -3 (BBCOR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 in | 16 oz | 18 oz | 21 oz | 23 oz |
| 27 in | 17 oz | 19 oz | 22 oz | 24 oz |
| 28 in | 18 oz | 20 oz | 23 oz | 25 oz |
| 29 in | 19 oz | 21 oz | 24 oz | 26 oz |
| 30 in | 20 oz | 22 oz | 25 oz | 27 oz |
| 31 in | 21 oz | 23 oz | 26 oz | 28 oz |
| 32 in | 22 oz | 24 oz | 27 oz | 29 oz |
| 33 in | 23 oz | 25 oz | 28 oz | 30 oz |
| 34 in | 24 oz | 26 oz | 29 oz | 31 oz |
Which Drop Can I Swing?
| Where you play | Drop |
|---|---|
| Little League Majors and younger, and most youth leagues | USA Baseball bats. Ours are -10. |
| USSSA 12U and under | Any drop. Most players swing a USSSA -10. |
| USSSA 13U | -8 or heavier |
| USSSA 14U | BBCOR (-3) or wood in most events. Some states allow -5. |
| High school and college | BBCOR (-3) |
Move to a heavier drop as the player gets stronger, and before the age group requires it.
How to Check Bat Size
• Put the knob at the center of the chest and hold the bat out along the arm. The fingertips should reach the end of the barrel.
• Stand the bat next to the leg. The knob should reach the palm.
• Hold the bat straight out to the side for 30 seconds. If the player can't, it's too heavy.
When in doubt, go shorter. A bat that's too long or heavy slows the swing down.
StringKing Bat Sizes
| Bat | Drop | Lengths |
|---|---|---|
| BBCOR bats | -3 | 31–34 in |
| USSSA drop 5 | -5 | 30–32 in |
| USSSA drop 8 | -8 | 28–32 in |
| USSSA drop 10 | -10 | 27–32 in |
| USA Baseball bats | -10 | 27–32 in |
Bat Size Questions
What size bat should a 10-year-old use?
Most 10-year-olds start with a 29-inch bat. In Little League, that's a USA Baseball -10. In USSSA, a -10 is the most common drop at that age.
What size bat does a high school player need?
A BBCOR -3, usually 33 inches. Bigger, stronger players often move up to 34, and players 13 to 14 often start at 32.
Should I buy a bigger bat so my child can grow into it?
No. A bat that's too long or heavy slows the swing down. Pick the size that fits now, and check it with the three tests above.
How do I measure for a baseball bat?
Use the three quick checks above: knob at the center of the chest, knob to the palm while standing next to the leg, and holding the bat straight out for 30 seconds.
Are softball bats sized the same way?
Fastpitch bats use drops too, but with different starting points. See the size chart in our fastpitch bat guide.
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Which baseball bat do I need? · BBCOR bat guide · USSSA bat guide · USA Baseball bat guide
Updated October 2026