METER STAR 3-Piece Adjustable Aluminium SUP Paddle Board Paddles, Lightweight Stand Up Paddle Oars for Paddleboard, Adjustable Aluminum Alloy PU Coated Shaft 67"-83" for Surfing, Floating,Water Sport carbon shaft $22.49 View on Amazon
Size chart
SUP paddle length chart by height
Quick answerAdd 8 to 10 inches to your height for all-round paddle boarding. At 5'6" that is 74 to 76 inches (188 to 193 cm); at 6'0" it is 80 to 82 inches (203 to 208 cm). Touring adds about 2 more inches; surf takes 4 away.
| Height | All-round | Touring and fitness | Yoga | Surf | All-round (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4'10" | 66 to 68 | 68 to 70 | 65 to 67 | 62 to 64 | 168 to 173 cm |
| 5' | 68 to 70 | 70 to 72 | 67 to 69 | 64 to 66 | 173 to 178 cm |
| 5'2" | 70 to 72 | 72 to 74 | 69 to 71 | 66 to 68 | 178 to 183 cm |
| 5'4" | 72 to 74 | 74 to 76 | 71 to 73 | 68 to 70 | 183 to 188 cm |
| 5'6" | 74 to 76 | 76 to 78 | 73 to 75 | 70 to 72 | 188 to 193 cm |
| 5'8" | 76 to 78 | 78 to 80 | 75 to 77 | 72 to 74 | 193 to 198 cm |
| 5'10" | 78 to 80 | 80 to 82 | 77 to 79 | 74 to 76 | 198 to 203 cm |
| 6' | 80 to 82 | 82 to 84 | 79 to 81 | 76 to 78 | 203 to 208 cm |
| 6'2" | 82 to 84 | 84 to 86 | 81 to 83 | 78 to 80 | 208 to 213 cm |
| 6'4" | 84 to 86 | 86 to 88 | 83 to 85 | 80 to 82 | 213 to 218 cm |
| 6'6" | 86 to 88 | 88 to 90 | 85 to 87 | 82 to 84 | 218 to 224 cm |
Gear sized from this chart
Match the row that fits you, then check the listing's own dimensions and rated capacity.
METER STAR 3-Piece Adjustable Aluminium SUP Paddle Board Paddles, Lightweight Stand Up Paddle Oars for Paddleboard, Adjustable Aluminum Alloy PU Coated Shaft 67"-83" for Surfing, Floating,Water Sport carbon shaft 
Abahub 3-Piece Adjustable SUP Paddle, Lightweight Aluminum Alloy Shaft fiberglass shaft $29.99 View on Amazon
ZLX Paddle Board Paddle, 3 or 4 Piece Adjustable SUP Paddle, Detachable Floating Kayak Paddles, 2-Sided Lightweight Oar with Premium Durable Blades, for Paddleboard, Surfing, Water Sports Enjoyment fiberglass shaft $39.99 View on Amazon
Pulse Paddle Board Paddle, Adjustable SUP Paddle with Carbon Fiber Shaft, Poly Blade with ABS Edge, 3-Piece Stand Up Paddle Board Paddle, 67"-83" Adjustable Length, Lightweight 880g 170 cm / carbon shaft $47.49 View on Amazon
Abahub 1 x 4 Section Carbon Fiber SUP Kayak Paddle Black 226 cm / carbon shaft $62.99 View on Amazon
CRISURF GP04A Black & Gray Full Carbon Racing SUP Paddle, Adjustable Paddle Board Paddle, Carbon Fiber Shaft & Blade, No-Twist Shaft, Lightweight for Paddleboard 210 cm / carbon shaft $139.99 View on Amazon
A stand up paddle is sized from your height plus an offset for how you paddle. All-round paddling uses about 8 to 10 inches over your height, touring and fitness 10 to 12 inches for a longer reach, and surf 4 to 6 inches so the paddle is quick in waves. A thicker board raises you off the water, so add about half an inch for each inch of thickness above 6.
Most people buy an adjustable 3-piece paddle, which covers roughly 67 to 86 inches. Very tall paddlers should check the top of that range, and children need a kids paddle that shortens to 55 to 60 inches.
Want the number for your exact weight and height? Use the sup paddle length calculator, which runs the same math as this chart.
Frequently asked questions
How tall should my paddle board paddle be?
For all-round paddling, 8 to 10 inches taller than you. A 5'10" (70 inch) paddler should set an adjustable paddle to about 79 inches, roughly 200 cm. A quick check: stand the paddle blade-down and reach up; your wrist should sit around the handle.
Is a SUP paddle the same as a kayak paddle?
No. A stand up paddle has one blade and a T-grip and is sized from your height; a kayak paddle has two blades and is sized from boat width. Convertible paddles add a second blade to a SUP shaft so one paddle can do both, at the cost of some weight.
Should a beginner get a carbon SUP paddle?
A beginner can start with the aluminum paddle bundled with most inflatable boards. Carbon paddles weigh roughly half as much, which you feel after an hour of paddling; it is the most noticeable upgrade once you are going out regularly.
On the water: Wear a properly fitted, USCG-approved life jacket every time, dress for the water temperature rather than the air, and check your state and local paddling regulations before you launch.
This is researched general information, not professional advice. Sizing figures are starting points: confirm against the maker's own sizing chart and the capacity printed on the boat or board.