Cricket Bat Size Chart by Age & Height (2026)

Why Bat Size Matters

Using a bat that's too big or too small directly affects your batting technique. A bat that's too heavy forces you to play across the line, while one that's too light won't generate power. Getting the right size is the single most important decision when buying a cricket bat — more important than brand or willow type.

This guide covers every bat size from Size 0 (tiny tots) to Full Size SH (adults), with exact dimensions, weight ranges, and how to measure yourself.

---

Complete Cricket Bat Size Chart

Here's the definitive size chart used by SG, SS, Gray-Nicolls, and most major manufacturers:

Bat Size	Player Height	Age Range	Bat Length	Bat Width	Weight Range
Size 0	Under 120 cm (4'0")	Under 4 years	63 cm (25")	88 mm	600–700 g
Size 1	120–130 cm (4'0"–4'3")	4–5 years	65 cm (25.5")	90 mm	700–800 g
Size 2	130–137 cm (4'3"–4'6")	5–7 years	67 cm (26.5")	93 mm	750–850 g
Size 3	137–145 cm (4'6"–4'9")	7–8 years	69 cm (27")	95 mm	800–900 g
Size 4	145–152 cm (4'9"–5'0")	8–10 years	71 cm (28")	98 mm	850–950 g
Size 5	152–160 cm (5'0"–5'3")	10–12 years	73 cm (29")	100 mm	900–1050 g
Size 6	160–168 cm (5'3"–5'6")	12–14 years	76 cm (30")	105 mm	950–1100 g
Harrow	168–175 cm (5'6"–5'9")	14–16 years	78 cm (30.75")	108 mm	1000–1150 g
Short Handle (SH)	175–188 cm (5'9"–6'2")	16+ / Adults	85 cm (33.5")	108 mm	1100–1250 g
Long Handle (LH)	188+ cm (6'2"+)	Tall adults	87 cm (34.25")	108 mm	1150–1300 g

Note: Bat width is governed by the Laws of Cricket — maximum 108 mm (4.25 inches). Junior bats are narrower for smaller hands.

---

How to Measure Yourself for a Cricket Bat

Method 1: The Stand-Up Test

1. Stand straight with your arms by your side
2. Hold the bat handle with your top hand (left hand for right-handers)
3. Let the bat hang naturally — the toe should just touch the ground
4. If there's a big gap, the bat is too short. If the toe drags, it's too long.

Method 2: The Wrist Test

1. Stand the bat upside down next to you, toe pointing up
2. The bat handle should reach your wrist joint
3. This is the quickest way to check in a shop

Method 3: The Stance Test

1. Get into your batting stance
2. Tap the bat on the ground in your guard position
3. Your bottom hand should be level with your hip — not above it
4. Your arms should be slightly bent, not fully extended

---

Bat Weight: How Heavy Should It Be?

Weight matters more than size for performance. Here's how to find your ideal weight:

The Pick-Up Test

1. Hold the bat with just your top hand (the hand nearest the splice)
2. Swing the bat in a straight drive motion
3. If you can control the swing without your wrist collapsing, the weight is right
4. If the bat face opens or drops during the swing, it's too heavy

Recommended Weights by Level

Level	Recommended Weight	Why
Under-12 beginners	800–950 g	Develops proper technique without strain
Under-14 academy	900–1050 g	Balances power and control
Under-16 competitive	1000–1150 g	Enough mass for leather ball cricket
Club adults	1100–1200 g	Sweet spot for most recreational players
Professional	1150–1300 g	Personal preference — Kohli uses ~1180 g, Dhoni used ~1270 g

Pro tip: A lighter bat with a bigger sweet spot outperforms a heavier bat with a smaller one. Always test the pick-up before buying.

---

Short Handle vs Long Handle: Which One?

Most adult players use Short Handle (SH). Here's when to consider Long Handle:

Factor	Short Handle	Long Handle
Player height	5'9"–6'2"	6'2"+
Handle length	30 cm	32 cm
Total bat length	85 cm	87 cm
Best for	Most players	Tall players (6'2"+)
Used by	90% of pros	Chris Gayle, Tony Greig, Jacob Oram

If you're between 5'9" and 6'2", always go SH unless you specifically feel restricted in the crease. Read our full comparison →

---

Bat Sizes for Popular Age Groups

What Size Bat for a 10 Year Old?

Most 10-year-olds need a Size 5 bat. However, measure their height first:

• If under 152 cm → Size 4
• If 152–160 cm → Size 5
• If over 160 cm → Size 6

What Size Bat for a 12 Year Old?

A 12-year-old typically needs Size 5 or Size 6:

• If under 160 cm → Size 5
• If 160–168 cm → Size 6
• If over 168 cm → Harrow

What Size Bat for a 14 Year Old?

Most 14-year-olds need a Harrow size:

• If under 168 cm → Size 6
• If 168–175 cm → Harrow
• If over 175 cm → Short Handle (adult)

---

Brand-Specific Size Recommendations

Different brands have slightly different profiles. Here's what to expect:

SG (Sanspareils Greenlands)

• Known for slightly heavier bats with thicker edges
• Junior range: SG RSD Xtreme (Size 3–6) — best value under ₹2000
• Best junior bat: SG Sunny Gold (Harrow) — great transition to adult

SS (Sareen Sports)

• Lighter pick-up, bigger sweet spot
• Junior range: SS Ton Gutsy (Size 4–6) — popular in academies
• Best junior bat: SS Master (Harrow) — excellent for developing players

Kookaburra

• Slightly curved blade profile, lighter in hands
• Junior range: Kookaburra Beast (Size 3–6) — good for beginners
• Best transition bat: Kookaburra Kahuna (Harrow) — used in Australian academies

GM (Gunn & Moore)

• Traditional shape, consistent sweet spot
• Junior range: GM Sparq (Size 3–6) — affordable and durable
• Best value pick: GM Diamond (Size 5–6) — under ₹1500

---

Kashmir Willow vs English Willow for Juniors

Factor	Kashmir Willow	English Willow
Price	₹500–₹3,000	₹3,000–₹25,000+
Durability	More durable	Needs more care
Performance	Good for tennis/rubber ball	Better for leather ball
Best for	Beginners, gully cricket	Academy, competitive play
Weight	Slightly heavier	Lighter pick-up

Our advice: Under-12 players should start with Kashmir willow. Switch to English willow when they start playing leather ball cricket seriously (usually around age 12–14). Check our best bats under ₹1000 for starter recommendations.

---

Common Bat Sizing Mistakes

1. Buying a bat to "grow into" — A bat that's too big ruins technique. Better to upgrade next season.
2. Ignoring weight for size — A Size 6 bat at 1200 g is too heavy for most 13-year-olds. Always check weight.
3. Copying pro bat sizes — Virat Kohli uses an SH with specific weight distribution. His specs don't suit most club players.
4. Choosing by brand alone — A ₹1500 SS bat in the right size beats a ₹5000 SG bat in the wrong size.
5. Tennis ball vs leather ball bats — Tennis ball bats have different weight distribution. Don't use one for the other.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard cricket bat size for adults?

Short Handle (SH) is the standard adult size — 85 cm total length, 108 mm width, weight between 1100–1250 g. About 90% of professional and club cricketers worldwide use SH bats.

Can I use a full-size bat if I'm 15 years old?

If you're over 175 cm (5'9") tall and can comfortably pass the pick-up test with a 1100+ g bat, yes. Otherwise, stick with Harrow size until you grow into it. Using an oversized bat at 15 can develop bad habits that are hard to fix later.

How do I know if my bat is too heavy?

Three signs: (1) your bottom hand dominates the shot, (2) you can't play straight drives consistently, (3) your bat face opens during the downswing. Try the light vs heavy bat comparison for a detailed analysis.

What bat size does Virat Kohli use?

Virat Kohli uses a Short Handle MRF Genius bat, weighing approximately 1180 g. His bat has a slightly shorter blade with a mid-to-low sweet spot, which helps with his wrist-heavy drives. Check our complete cricket kit guide if you're building a full setup.

Is there a bat size for left-handers?

No — bat sizes are universal for left and right-handed players. The only difference is handle grip and guard setup, not the bat dimensions themselves.