Getting the right bike size is crucial, there’s no doubt about that.
When you are lucky enough to test ride a bike, then the process is quite straightforward – it feels good or it doesn’t. It’s as simple as that.
But what can you do when you’re shopping online (bike shops, marketplace, Craigslist and so on)?
The answer is simple – use bike size charts!
We have various methods on how to find the right bike size based on your height and/or inseam, so let’s take a closer look at these below.
Method One: Bike Height Chart – The Easiest
This method requires your height and provides you with the proper frame size measured in inches. If you need the results in centimeters, then jump to step 2.
Mountain Bike Size Chart
Your height / Frame Size / Marker
- 4’11″ – 5’3″ = 13 – 15 inches = X-Small
- 5’3″ – 5’7″ = 15 – 16 inches = Small
- 5’7″ – 5’11” = 16 – 17 inches = Medium
- 6’0″ – 6’2″ = 17 – 19 inches = Large
- 6’2″ – 6’4″ = 19 – 21 inches = X-Large
- 6’4″ and taller = 21+ inches = XX-Large
Road Bike Size Chart
Height / Frame Size (seat tube height) / Marker
4’10”- 5’2” = 47 cm – 48 cm = XX-Small
5’2″- 5’6” = 49 cm – 50 cm = X-Small
5’3”- 5’6” = 51 cm – 53 cm = Small
5’6”- 5’9” = 54 cm – 55 cm = Medium
5’9”- 6’0” = 56 cm – 58 cm = Large
6’0”- 6’3” = 58 cm – 60” cm = X-Large
6’3”- 6’6” = 61 cm – 63 cm = XX-Large
Voilà!
These two are very generic charts, so we recommend always seeking more information from brands that you’re interested in.
Method Two: Calculating the bike size
- Take off your shoes and stand with your legs about 6″ – 8″ (15 – 20 cm) apart. Measure the height from the ground to your crotch.
- Be sure of the type of bicycle you want: Mountain bike, city bike or road bike. You can read about the different bike types from here.
- Now you can take your calculator and calculate the right size:
City bike – Leg inseam (cm) x 0,685 = Your frame size
Mountain bike – Leg inseam (cm) x 0,66 = Your frame size
Road bike – Leg inseam (cm) x 0,70 = Your frame size
(If your leg inseam is 76cm, then your right mountain bike size is 50 cm (20”), road bike 53 cm and city bike 52 cm)
Method Three: Bike Size Chart (Advanced):
Mountain bike size chart
| Rider height | Leg inseam | Suggested Frame Size | |||
| Feet/Inches | Centimeters | Inches | Centimeters | Inches | Size |
| 4’10” – 5’1” | 148-158 cm | 24-29” | 61-73 cm | < 14″ | XS |
| 5’1″ – 5’5″ | 158-168 cm | 25-30” | 63-76 cm | 15″ / 16″ | S |
| 5’5″ – 5’9″ | 168-178 cm | 26-31” | 66-78 cm | 16″ / 17″ | M |
| 5’9″ – 6’0″ | 178-185 cm | 27`-32` | 68-81 cm | 17″ / 18″ | L |
| 6’0″ – 6’3″ | 185-193 cm | 28`-33` | 71-83 cm | 18″ / 19″ | XL |
| 6’1″ – 6’6″ | 193-198 cm | 29`-34` | 73-86 cm | 19″ + | XXL |
City bike (Also commuter/hybrid bikes) size chart
| Rider height | Leg inseam | Suggested Frame Size | |||
| Feet/Inches | Centimeters | Inches | Centimeters | Inches | Size |
| 4`10” – 5`1” | 147-155 cm | 24″-29″ | 61-73 cm | 14″ | XS |
| 5`1″ – 5`5″ | 155-165 cm | 25″-30″ | 63-76 cm | 15″ | S |
| 5`5″ – 5`9″ | 165-175 cm | 26″-31″ | 66-78 cm | 16″ | M |
| 5`9″ – 6`0″ | 175-183 cm | 27″-32″ | 68-81 cm | 17″ | L |
| 6`0″ – 6`3″ | 183-191 cm | 28″-33″ | 71-83 cm | 18″ | XL |
| 6`1″ – 6`6″ | 191-198 cm | 29″-34″ | 73-86 cm | 19″ | XXL |
Road bike size chart
| Rider height | Suggested frame size | ||
| Feet/Inches | Centimeters | Centimeters | Size |
| 4`10”-5`0” | 148-152 cm | 47-48 cm | XXS |
| 5`0″-5`3″ | 152-160 cm | 49-50 cm | XS |
| 5`3″-5`6″ | 160-168 cm | 51-52-53 cm | S |
| 5`6″-5`9″ | 168-175 cm | 54-55 cm | M |
| 5`9″-6`0″ | 175-183 cm | 56-57-58 cm | L |
| 6`0″-6`3″ | 183-191 cm | 58-59-60 cm | XL |
| 6`3″-6`6″ | 191-198 cm | 61-62-63 cm | XXL |
To make it simple – Bicycle Guiders’ bike size graph.
Open me!
Got the right size?
Nice!
And now go cycling!
*Please note that frame sizes from XXS – XXL don’t have the same meaning for every manufacturer. Those sizes (like on clothing) show current model sizes.
Kids Bike Size Chart
Let’s consider several methods all at once of how to size a bike for a kid with more certainty.
If you want to make sure to choose the right kids’ bike size, you should take into consideration 1) Age, 2) Height, 3) Inseam, and 4) Tire Size.
We tried to gather all of this data into one kids’ bike size chart that you can see below. It should work for most kids, except for some exceptions.
| Age | Height | Leg Inseam | Tire Size | ||
| Inch | cm | Inch | cm | ||
| 2 | 2’9″ – 3’1″ | 85-90cm | 12″–14″ | 85-90cm | 10″ |
| 3-4 | 3’1″ – 3’3″ | 90-100cm | 14″-17″ | 35-42cm | 12″ |
| 4-5 | 3’3″ – 3’7″ | 100-110cm | 16″-20″ | 40-50cm | 14″ |
| 5-6 | 3’7″ – 3-8″ | 110-115cm | 18″-22″ | 45-50cm | 16″ |
| 6-8 | 3’8″ – 4’0″ | 115-120cm | 20″-24″ | 50-60cm | 18″ |
| 7-9 | 4’0″ – 4’5″ | 120-135cm | 22″-25″ | 55-63cm | 20″ |
| 9-11 | 4’5″ – 4’9″ | 135-145cm | 24″-28″ | 60-72cm | 24″ |
| 11-14 | 5’+ | 145cm + | 28″+ | 72cm+ | 26″ |
As a result: You can double-check the results. If you’re satisfied, you can choose the right bike based on these results.
If you find that some numbers don’t match and you’re getting different results based on different criteria, keep in mind that all kids are different. As they get older, the discrepancies between individuals become even larger.
Right Saddle Height (vs Standover Height) For Kids
Choosing the right saddle height is extremely important for all riders, especially for kids. If you place the saddle too low or high, your child is likely to feel a lack of control and lack of confidence.
So, let’s make it clear.
BONUS:
- Fourth Sizing method: Amazon Fit Guide
- Fifth Sizing Calculator: Competitive Cyclist Fit Calculator.
- Sixth – Jenson USA Bike Fit Calculator (Beta)
Voilà!
Read next: How to fit a bike
The right saddle height has a very important role. If it’s too low, you won’t have enough power in your feet. In mountain bike racing, I have experienced that when the saddle falls one inch down from normal, I lose about 25-50% of my force. I better stop and let the group go, then fix it and lose 15 seconds but I do catch the group and can even get the next group ahead. So the right saddle height plays a big role!
Need Professional Fitting Service? Order From Amazon!
The easiest way is to
- Lean to the wall with your elbow sitting on the bike (or let someone help you as shown on the picture)
- Put your leg to lowest point but parallel to the ground.
- Move your saddle up or down until you have a nice bend behind your knee. It should be something around 30 ° but don’t waste too much energy finding that exact angle.
Go out and ride. Does it feel good? If not, then adjust. Also, you can adjust the seat to front and rear.
But… which brand to buy? See our Best Bike Brands
TIP: If you got the right height, mark it down with some sharp object. That’s the best size chart ever 🙂 Some bikes have centimeters marked there, then keep this in mind.
What If I Got My Bike Size Wrong?
Then ask your merchant, if you can send your bike back to get the right one. If you don’t want to do that, then you can do the following things:
- Move your saddle to the front or rear
- Buy a longer or shorter stem. It changes your body position
- Buy a longer seat post
Give it time to get the feeling right. I remember when I got my first 29er mountain bike. It felt like a ship and seemed difficult to ride in narrow trails of the forest. Now I start laughing when I sit on a 26″ mountain bike because it looks so tiny.
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Greatly beneficial blog! Thank you very much for this great piece.
Hello
I am 6 feet 1 inch and a 33 inch inseem but I am 73 years old. I am wondering if I should get a L rather than an XL mountain so it is easier to get onto when riding on the highways. I put on 3000 miles this summer.
Hi Bob,
I’d say you get large because XL is for 6’2 nd above. Then get a proper bike fit. Cheers!
Hello,
My height is 5 feet 9 inches.
Will a bike with 26 inches tyre and 18.5 inch frame be good for me?
Hi Bhaskar,
You are talking about a frame under the Large category, and the answer is yes. However, that’s not the end of the story. Make sure you fine-tune your bike fit to ensure comfort during long rides. I am talking about stem length, saddle fore and aft, etc. Also, 26 inches can be a bit smaller for your height, but to each his own. Smaller wheels mean more responsiveness.
Hi I am Tarun my height is 157 cms and inseam is 75 cm I would like to buy a Cradiac gunner pro cycle which has 18.5 inches frame and 700x35c tyre will it be suitable please suggest.
Hi Tarun,
The Cradiac gunner is a good hybrid bike. For your height and inseam, I would suggest a small frame, and unfortunately, 18.5 is too large for you. Remember that the wrong frame size can cause discomfort in the lower back and arm. You choose s small frame. For example, in our bike size chart, you fall under this: 5`1″-5`5″ 158-168 cm 25-30” 63-76 cm 15” / 16″ S
Hi Jeff.
What do you think is more important for choosing a road bike: inseam length or rider height? I’m 1.8m tall with an inseam of 80cm. So my height suggests I get a L but my inseam suggests I get a M. What would be better regarding comfort vs performance?
Thanks in advance
Hi Tom,
Both are important; however, the rider height is more popular because you can always base the measurement on frame length and make minor adjustments (stem length, saddle fore & aft, etc.).
Hi my name is Marie ,please can you help me out I’m only 4ft and 7inchs please can you let me know what bike size would I need to get
Hi Marie,
You need to get the smallest frame possible such as the XS size. Then, you also make sure to get a bike fit to ensure you are comfortable.
Hi Jeff,
awesome subject, thank you for great info.
I am in a bit of problem, I am 205cm and inseam is 102cm, it looks impossible to find proper Gravel bike.
Best I can find is Canyon Grail 7 XXL with 63cm.
I need another 7 cm of the bar, could I compensate that with longer seat post and stem?
How serious problem too small gravel bike poses?
Thanks
Hi Nikola,
Yes that is a general problem because proper frame size does not answer other issues like the length of your torso or inseam. You can get a proper bike fit with those suggestions in place.
Google tall gravel bikes for men and click on the link from cyclingabout. He made an awesome database of bikes for us tall folks. Canyon is great I am 201cm 6’7″ and bought the endurace as my road bike. Love it. Next bike is prolly going to be a huge size 71 dutch bike since I am getting older.
Hi Adam,
Yes, our bikes can evolve depending on our riding preference. The important thing is that we continue to ride.
I’m 6’7″ and my inseam is 35.5 inches (90 cm). I found a deal on a 2016 Felt F85X that I’m interested in buying. It is a 60 cm bike. Will it fit right with fine adjustments, or is it just too small?
Hi Mark,
I checked the suggested measurement for you. It says 73-86 cm or 19″ under XXL. So it looks like 60 is too small for you.
My height is 178cms please suggest me the frame height size of the cycle.
Hi Shaikh,
You fall under the medium range, with frame sizes between 16” / 17″. However, I suggest you still need to get a proper bike fit after getting the right bike frame to insure everything feels comfortable.
I am 5’5″ and looking to buy a road bike. Is the 48″ or 53″ frame a proper fit for me?
Hi Mike,
I’d say 48 or 50. But that’s not the end of the story. You still need proper bike fit to determine the length of your stem in relation to your reach.