Types of Women's Basketballs

Women's basketballs generally measure slightly smaller than men's--a standard adopted by the U.S. Girls' and Women's Basketball Rules Committee in 1984. However, like their male counterparts, women's players use several different sizes and types of basketballs depending on the location of the game and the level of play.

  1. WNBA Basketballs

    • The Women's National Basketball Association uses balls weighing between 18 and 20 ounces with a circumference of 28.5 to 29 inches, according to the WNBA rule book. The WNBA balls' dimensions are around 1 inch smaller and 2 ounces lighter than those used in the NBA.

    Women's NCAA Basketballs

    • Women's college basketball and other organized women's and girls' leagues generally use the same size and weight standards for their balls as the WNBA--referred to as new international size 6 balls.

    Youth League Basketballs

    • Intermediate size women's basketballs often are used in girls' youth leagues. These ball--referred to as original international size 6 balls--are slightly smaller in circumference (27.75 to 28.5 inches) and lighter (16 to 18 ounces) than professional ones.

    Indoor Basketballs

    • Like men's basketballs, women's balls come in a varieties based on where they're best used. Leather basketballs normally are manufactured for indoor use as the material is prone to wear and tear from outdoor courts and weather.

    Indoor/Outdoor Basketballs

    • Balls designed for indoor and outdoor use typically are made of composite materials and/or synthetic leather. These materials imitate the softness of leather for indoor use, while remaining more durable for outdoor play. Indoor/outdoor balls also are typically less expensive--and therefore more common--than leather ones.

    Outdoor Basketballs

    • The least expensive and most durable basketball also cost the least. Meant exclusively for outdoor play, these rubber balls hold up significantly better than other types during exposure to weather, moisture and outdoor surfaces.