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Wetsuit size chart: find your size by weight

A wetsuit only works if it fits snugly. Enter your weight and we'll highlight the sizes that fit, then read how a wetsuit should feel so you stay warm in the water.

By SurfSpotGuide EditorialPublished June 24, 2026

Find your wetsuit size

Sizing for

Enter your weight to see your size.

Men’s Wetsuit Size Chart

SizeHeightWeightChest
XS5’2″–5’6″ / 158–168 cm110–130 lb / 50–59 kg33–35″
S5’6″–5’8″ / 168–173 cm125–145 lb / 57–66 kg35–37″
MS5’7″–5’9″ / 170–175 cm140–160 lb / 64–73 kg37–39″
M5’8″–5’10″ / 173–178 cm150–165 lb / 68–75 kg38–40″
MT5’10″–6’1″ / 178–185 cm160–180 lb / 73–82 kg38–40″
L5’10″–6’0″ / 178–183 cm170–190 lb / 77–86 kg40–42″
LT6’1″–6’3″ / 185–190 cm185–205 lb / 84–93 kg40–42″
XL6’1″–6’3″ / 185–190 cm195–220 lb / 88–100 kg42–44″
XXL6’2″–6’5″ / 188–196 cm220–250 lb / 100–113 kg44–46″

Women’s Wetsuit Size Chart

SizeHeightWeightChest
2 / XS5’0″–5’3″ / 152–160 cm95–105 lb / 43–48 kg31–33″
4 / S5’2″–5’5″ / 158–165 cm105–118 lb / 48–54 kg32–34″
6 / S5’3″–5’6″ / 160–168 cm115–128 lb / 52–58 kg34–35″
8 / M5’4″–5’7″ / 163–170 cm125–138 lb / 57–63 kg35–36″
10 / M5’5″–5’8″ / 165–173 cm135–150 lb / 61–68 kg36–38″
12 / L5’7″–5’10″ / 170–178 cm145–165 lb / 66–75 kg38–40″
14 / XL5’8″–5’11″ / 173–180 cm160–180 lb / 73–82 kg40–42″

Kids’ & Youth Wetsuit Size Chart

SizeHeightWeight
Age 4 (4T)40–43″ / 102–109 cm36–42 lb / 16–19 kg
Age 6 (6)44–48″ / 112–122 cm44–52 lb / 20–24 kg
Age 8 (8)49–53″ / 124–135 cm54–66 lb / 24–30 kg
Age 10 (10)53–56″ / 135–142 cm68–82 lb / 31–37 kg
Age 12 (12)57–60″ / 145–152 cm84–98 lb / 38–44 kg
Age 14 (14)60–63″ / 152–160 cm100–115 lb / 45–52 kg
Age 16 (16)63–66″ / 160–168 cm115–130 lb / 52–59 kg

Kids grow fast, but resist buying a wetsuit to “grow into.” An oversized suit flushes cold water and will put a child off surfing. Buy to fit now, or rent until they stop growing.

The chart gave you a number. Here’s what it can’t tell you.

A chart is good at exactly one thing: the number. It won’t tell you that most surf schools hand you the board, the wetsuit and the leash with the lesson — so the gear you just looked up may not be the first thing you need to buy at all. The free Beginner’s Surf Guide covers the rest:

  • What your school already provides, and the short list worth packing yourself
  • The five questions to ask before you book — and the red flags hiding in the answers
  • How lesson one actually runs, from dry-sand pop-ups to your first green wave
  • The lineup rules nobody explains until you’ve broken one

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How a wetsuit should fit

  • TorsoFlat against your chest and back with no air gaps. The lower back is the #1 place loose suits flush cold water.
  • Shoulders & armsSnug but able to rotate freely. If you can’t paddle comfortably on land, it’s too small.
  • CrotchPulled all the way up. Any sagging here means the whole suit is too big.
  • Wrists & anklesClose-fitting seals to limit water entry. Cuffs should sit at the joint, not past it.
  • NeckClose but not choking. Too tight chafes; too loose lets water pour in.

Quick test: once zipped, reach both arms overhead and take a deep breath. If you can do both without strain and there are no loose folds, the fit is right.

A note on brand sizing

Wetsuit sizing is not standardized. A medium in one brand can fit like a large in another, and cuts vary between a brand's budget and premium lines. Use the chart above to find your starting size, then always cross-check the manufacturer's own chart — they list the exact height, weight, and chest ranges for each suit. If you're buying online, read recent reviews for “runs small/large” notes.

Got your size? Start here

Beginner-friendly suits that run true to the sizing above.

We may earn a small commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We only recommend gear we'd ride ourselves.

  • O'Neill Epic 3/2mm Back Zip Fullsuit (Men's)

    O'Neill · Backcountry

    An entry-level back-zip 3/2 from a brand with a wide size run — easy to get into for first-timers.

  • Billabong 302 Absolute Natural Back Zip Fullsuit (Men's)

    Billabong · Backcountry

    The budget 3/2 — a simple back-zip fullsuit that covers most US surf from spring to fall.

  • O'Neill Reactor II 3/2mm Back Zip Fullsuit (Women's)

    O'Neill · evo

    The entry-level benchmark — flatlock seams and easy back-zip entry, at the lowest price of the bunch.

  • O'Neill Epic 3/2mm Back Zip Fullsuit (Women's)

    O'Neill · Backcountry

    A step up from the Reactor in stretch and comfort, still with a forgiving back-zip.

  • Xcel Axis 5/4mm Back Zip Fullsuit

    Xcel · evo

    For cold-water beginners (Pacific Northwest, New England winters) who need thickness, not a 3/2.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

How should a wetsuit fit?

A wetsuit should fit like a second skin — snug everywhere with no loose folds, gaps, or air pockets, especially in the lower back. It will feel tight on land; neoprene loosens slightly once wet. You should still be able to raise both arms fully overhead and breathe normally. Any sagging in the crotch or pooling at the lower back means it’s too big and will flush cold water.

What size wetsuit am I if I’m between sizes?

Weight is the single most important measurement, so size to your weight first and then sanity-check against your height. If you fall between two sizes, look for a tall (T) or short (S) variant of your weight size before jumping a full size. When truly stuck, size down — a slightly snug suit keeps you far warmer than a loose one.

Are wetsuit sizes the same across brands?

No. O’Neill, Rip Curl, Billabong, Xcel, and Patagonia each cut slightly differently, and every brand publishes its own chart. This chart is a reliable starting point, but always check the specific brand’s size chart before buying — especially online.

What do MT, MS, and LT mean?

They are height variants of a standard size. M is medium, MT is medium-tall (same chest as M but a longer torso and limbs), and MS is medium-short. These variants let taller or shorter surfers match their weight size to their build for a proper fit.

Should I size up for a thicker winter wetsuit?

No — use the same size. A 5/4mm winter suit should fit just as snugly as a 3/2mm summer suit. Thicker neoprene is warmer because it seals out water, and a loose winter suit defeats the purpose by letting cold water flush through.

Try a wetsuit before you buy

Not sure of your size? Many surf shops rent wetsuits so you can test the fit and thickness before committing to a purchase.

More Surf Guides

The chart gave you a number. Here’s what it can’t tell you.

A chart is good at exactly one thing: the number. It won’t tell you that most surf schools hand you the board, the wetsuit and the leash with the lesson — so the gear you just looked up may not be the first thing you need to buy at all. The free Beginner’s Surf Guide covers the rest:

  • What your school already provides, and the short list worth packing yourself
  • The five questions to ask before you book — and the red flags hiding in the answers
  • How lesson one actually runs, from dry-sand pop-ups to your first green wave
  • The lineup rules nobody explains until you’ve broken one

No spam · Instant delivery · Unsubscribe anytime