Jump Rope Length - Most Accurate Sizing Method

As a jump rope coach I've helped size thousands of jump ropes over the years. While the standard "hold it up to your armpits" method is useful as a general guide, it's not specific enough for the unique styles and goals of each individual, especially for people who want to improve at rope jumping.

Determine proper jump rope length for:

Kids & Beginners

Fitness

Double Unders

Competition Speed Jumping

Freestyle & Tricks

Basic Sizing Chart

For beaded and licorice ropes, start with a jump rope in the lengths outlined in this sizing chart:

Height of Jumper Length of Rope

4' up to 4' 9"7ft

4' 10" - 5' 3" 8ft

5' 4" - 5' 11"9ft

6' 0" - 6' 4"10ft

6' 5" +11ft

Detailed Sizing Method

Because of the variance in the length of the people's legs, arms, and torso, a generic sizing method doesn't work perfectly. Rather, when I size a jumper, I look at how high the jump rope is over the head while jumping. For any sizing method to work, it is very important that the jumper is using proper form. Most importantly, the hands are just in front of the hip bones and not held out wide when jumping. If there is nobody to watch you, a reflection in a mirror provides you with the height.

Beginners

Correct Sizing: 10" to 18" over the top of the head when jumping

Because speed is not the objective, a longer rope is ideal for children and beginners. A longer jump rope slows things down and allows for timing that is not perfect.

How to size: Stand on the jump rope in the middle of the cord with both feet. The BOTTOM of the jump rope handles should come up to the armpit.

Related: Jump Ropes for Beginners / Kids

Double Unders

Correct sizing: The rope/cable clears 4" to 8" over your head at its apex when jumping.

When I observe people jumping rope in the gym or doing double unders for CrossFit, it is typical to see the cable 12" to 36 " over their heads. For fitness workouts this rope length is much too long (for most people), and is really slowing them down. My suggestion for fitness workouts and double unders would be to size the jump rope so that it is traveling over the head by 6"-10". I do not hold tight to this rule because there are so many great jumpers that use a variable of different heights. It needs to be a height that you are comfortable with. The idea is to get the rope turning around your body with as little effort as possible with maximum rope control. A jump rope that is too long will be sloppy and take too much effort to turn.

Related: Fitness Jump Ropes

Competitive Speed Jumping

Correct sizing: The cable clears 2" to 6" over your head at its apex when jumping.

It is all about speed and control. Going as fast as you can without making mistakes. Going 6-7 jumps a second takes great strength, endurance, and control of the jump rope. Typically the fastest jumpers in the world have the cable 2" to 6" over their head (some even down to 1"). They typically crouch down to make the circumference traveled by the jump rope even smaller.

Related: Competition Speed Ropes

Freestyle

Correct sizing: The rope clears 6" to 14" over your head at its apex when jumping.

Doing jump rope tricks is all about placing the handles of the jump rope in the right place at the right time. For this to happen, it is best to use a jump rope that will give the jumper the most control over the rope. For freestyle, the correct length is whatever the jumper is most comfortable with. Typically the jump rope will be 6" to 14" over their heads. However it is not uncommon to see the ropes only a few inches the head of many competitive freestyle jumpers. There is more variation in jump rope sizing for freestyle than any other type of jumping.

Related: Jump Rope Tricks & Skills Guide / Freestyle Jump Ropes