Reviewed by Jean-Claude Giuca · 30+ years coaching in Australia · FAW/UEFA course cert · FFA B · AFC B · Masters in Sports Coaching (Griffith) · See credentials →

FIFA Law 2 is one paragraph long. Three numbers, one material requirement, and a pressure range. That is the entire regulation governing a Size 5 soccer ball – the standard from U14 through professional football across the world.

After 30 years coaching across Victoria, I have inspected hundreds of Size 5 balls before matches and training. The vast majority sit inside spec. A handful – usually the bargain-bin ones – sit just outside it. The numbers below are the ones to memorise, plus the practical context for what each spec actually does on the pitch. For the cluster overview, see the complete soccer balls guide.

The Official Dimensions of a Size 5 Soccer Ball (FIFA Spec)

FIFA’s regulation, codified in Law 2 of the Laws of the Game, defines a Size 5 ball with four numbers and one material requirement. Here is the full spec sheet:

Spec	Range	Imperial Conversion
Circumference	68-70 cm	27-28 inches
Weight (start of match)	410-450 g	14-16 oz
Diameter	21.6-22.3 cm	8.5-8.8 inches
Pressure (sea level)	0.6-1.1 bar	8.5-15.6 PSI
Material	Spherical, suitable material (typically PU or synthetic leather with butyl or latex bladder)

The IFAB (International Football Association Board) maintains these specifications and has done since the formal codification of the laws. Football Australia’s MiniRoos and senior competitions follow these specs without modification – a regulation Size 5 ball you buy in Melbourne is the same regulation Size 5 ball you would touch in Madrid or Manchester.

FIFA Quality vs FIFA Quality Pro – What the Specs Actually Mean

All Size 5 balls used in any official match must hit the dimensions above. But there are two quality marks above the basic regulation – and they tell you a lot about what you are paying for.

FIFA Quality (formerly “IMS Approved”) means the ball has passed standardised tests for circumference, weight, sphericity, water absorption, rebound, loss of pressure, and shape retention. It is the minimum competitive standard.

FIFA Quality Pro (formerly “FIFA Approved”) applies tighter tolerances on every test. The ball must hit narrower ranges within the 68-70 cm and 410-450 g bands, plus pass additional flight stability and durability tests. It is the standard for international tournaments.

For Australian grassroots and most state-league football, Quality is the typical requirement. For NPL and representative match days, check your federation’s specific requirements – Quality Pro is sometimes mandated. The match ball vs training ball comparison covers when paying for Pro tier is actually worth it.

Why Size 5 Dimensions Matter for Players Aged 14+

The dimensions are not arbitrary. The 68-70 cm circumference and 410-450 g weight scale to the average adult foot, leg strength, and ball-control biomechanics. A regulation Size 5 ball weighs the right amount to stay airborne on a clean strike but heavy enough to require committed weight transfer. It sits at the right circumference to allow inside-of-the-foot, instep, and outside-of-the-foot contact without forcing the player to scoop. And it falls in a pressure range that gives a predictable bounce and consistent feel off the boot.

A non-regulation Size 5 – too light, too heavy, off-circumference – breaks the technical pattern players have built training. I have seen U16 squads warm up with a $10 supermarket ball, then play the match with a regulation Size 5. The disconnect shows in the first 15 minutes: passes underweighted, headers mistimed, shooting power off. Match the training ball to the match ball where possible. For the picks I rate at each tier, see the best soccer balls Australia roundup.

How Size 5 Compares to Size 4 and Size 3

Football Australia’s MiniRoos framework specifies different sizes for different age groups for the same biomechanical reasons. The full progression:

Size	Age Group (AU)	Circumference	Weight	Recommended PSI
Size 3	U6-U8 (MiniRoos)	58-60 cm	300-320 g	8.5 PSI
Size 4	U9-U13	63.5-66 cm	350-390 g	8.5-9 PSI
Size 5	U14+ and Senior	68-70 cm	410-450 g	9-15.6 PSI

For a deeper breakdown of which size suits which age, see the soccer ball size chart. For the equivalent weight specs across all sizes, see the soccer ball weight guide.

How to Check Your Soccer Ball Meets Regulation

Pre-match inspection takes two minutes if you have got the right tools. The full checklist I use before NPL or rep matches:

1. Visual check. FIFA Quality or Quality Pro mark printed on the ball. Manufacturer’s spec band near the valve confirming Size 5.
2. Circumference. A flexible cloth tape measure curved over the ball at the equator. Should read 68-70 cm.
3. Weight. A digital kitchen scale set to grams. Should read 410-450 g.
4. Pressure. A pump with pressure gauge – should read 8.5-15.6 PSI. Most match balls have the recommended PSI printed near the valve.
5. Rebound. Drop from 2 metres onto a hard surface. Regulation Size 5 should bounce back to 1.35-1.55 metres.

For most coaches, steps 1 and 4 cover 95% of cases. The full set is for match commissioners or coaches who suspect a ball is non-regulation.

Common Issues With Non-Regulation Size 5 Balls

Three common failure modes after years of inspecting balls at training and on match day:

Underweight bargain balls. Sub-$15 supermarket balls often weigh 350-380 g – well below the 410 g minimum. The ball flies further off a clean strike but feels “wrong” to anyone who has trained with regulation. Players over-hit passes for the first 10 minutes.

Overweight cheap promotional balls. Some bulk-buy promotional balls (corporate gifts, fund-raisers) come in at 460-490 g – over spec. Headers feel heavier than expected and shots travel less than expected.

Under-circumference imitations. Lower-tier replicas of premium match balls sometimes measure 66-67 cm – Size 4.5 territory. The ball plays differently in the air. Professional match ball replicas (e.g., consumer versions of World Cup balls) are usually fine; bargain-bin imitations often are not.

The fix: buy from reputable retailers. The best soccer balls Australia roundup covers the picks I rate at each tier. For the equivalent weight chart specifically, see the soccer ball weight guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How large is a size 5 soccer ball?

A Size 5 soccer ball measures 68-70 cm in circumference (27-28 inches) and 21.6-22.3 cm in diameter (about 8.5-8.8 inches). Weight is 410-450 g (14-16 oz) at the start of a match per FIFA Law 2.

Can a 7 year old use a size 5 soccer ball?

No. Football Australia’s MiniRoos program specifies Size 3 for U6-U8. A Size 5 ball at age 7 is the equivalent of an adult kicking a medicine ball – too big for the developing foot and too heavy for the leg strength. The ball will teach incorrect technique.

Is size 5 a full size football?

Yes. Size 5 is the official, full-size regulation ball used in all professional, senior, and competitive youth football from U14 upward worldwide. It is the only size used in international competition and adult leagues.

Is there a big difference between size 4 and 5 soccer balls?

Yes. A Size 5 is approximately 5 cm larger in circumference (68-70 cm vs 63.5-66 cm) and 50-60 g heavier (410-450 g vs 350-390 g) than a Size 4. The difference is significant for passing weight, shooting power, and heading. Players transitioning from Size 4 to Size 5 typically need 2-3 sessions to recalibrate.

What PSI should a size 5 soccer ball be inflated to?

FIFA spec is 0.6-1.1 bar (8.5-15.6 PSI). For training, I run 9-10 PSI for senior and competitive youth – soft enough for confident first touch, firm enough for match-realistic flight. For match day, follow the manufacturer’s recommended PSI printed near the valve.

What weight is a regulation Size 5 ball?

410-450 grams (14-16 oz) at the start of the match per FIFA Law 2. A wet ball can exceed this during a rainy game – that is expected and not a regulation breach. For the full weight progression across all sizes, see the soccer ball weight guide.

How do I know if my Size 5 ball is FIFA Quality Pro?

Look for the FIFA Quality Pro mark printed on the ball – typically near the valve. The mark is granted by FIFA after testing for tighter tolerances than basic Quality. If your ball does not have either mark, it is not certified – it may still meet the basic dimensions but has not passed FIFA’s standardised testing.

Related from ECC

• Soccer Balls Complete Guide – the cluster hub with 10 things every AU coach should know
• Soccer Ball Size Chart – full age-by-age breakdown
• Soccer Ball Weight Guide – FIFA spec by size
• Match Ball vs Training Ball – when premium specs are worth it
• Best Soccer Balls Australia 2026 – coach-tested picks across price tiers