The size of a surfboard is usually given in feet and inches, using the basic American measurement system known as the "imperial system".
- 1 foot = 12 inches = 30.48 centimetres
- 1 inch = 2.54 centimetres
Feet are marked with an apostrophe ('). And inches with quotation marks (").
Example: 6'8" = 6 feet 8 inches
Feet and inches to centimeters converter for surfboards
If you'd like to know how big a board is in centimetres, then use our free tool below!
Feel free to explore our guides on how to choose your surfboard or how to choose the size of your board sock cover.
Why are surfboard sizes given in feet and inches and not centimetres?
Surfboard sizes are often given in feet and inches, mainly because of the origin of surfing. This system has become the standard in the surfing industry, influencing the way board dimensions are communicated internationally, which comes from the USA and Hawaii, where the imperial system is used.
Manufacturers and surfers continued to use this system to maintain global consistency, even as the sport spread to countries using the metric system.
It's interesting to note that a number of other sports also use the imperial metric system, particularly in France. These include golf, where distances on the course are often measured in yards, and sailing, where distances at sea are frequently measured in nautical miles.
