What Size Is a Netball?
Netball ball sizes explained: size 4 vs size 5, which age groups use each, and how to choose the right one.
Adult and senior matches use a size 5 netball (68–71cm circumference); most junior and primary-age players use a smaller size 4 ball, though exact age cut-offs vary by governing body.
Netballs come in two sizes used in organised play, and getting the right one matters more for younger players than it might seem.
Size 5 — the standard adult ball
Size 5 is the standard netball used in senior, adult and most secondary school matches: roughly 68–71cm in circumference and 400–450g. If you're buying a ball for adult club netball or general secondary-age play, this is the one to get.
Size 4 — the junior ball
Size 4 is smaller and lighter, used by many primary and younger junior players. It's easier to grip, throw and catch for smaller hands, which matters for learning proper technique rather than compensating for a ball that's too big.
Exact age cut-offs vary
Different countries and governing bodies set slightly different age thresholds for when players move from a size 4 to a size 5 ball, and some programmes use their own transition rules. Check with your child's club or national junior netball programme for the exact cut-off that applies, rather than assuming one age applies everywhere.
Choosing a ball to practise with at home
If you're buying a ball mainly for a young player to practise catching, throwing and shooting at home, matching the size used at their actual training sessions is more useful than sizing up "for the future" — a ball that's too large or heavy makes it harder to learn good catching and shooting technique.
See what equipment do you need for netball? for the rest of the kit list.