How Long Is a Surfboard? Longboard vs Shortboard Length Explained

How long is a surfboard? A longboard is about 9 feet long, a shortboard about 6 feet, and a funboard about 7 to 8 feet.

Surfboards are not one fixed size — their length depends on the style of surfing. A longboard is the classic, long board built for smooth, easy rides and small waves, while a shortboard is the quick, sharp board used for fast turns and bigger waves. A funboard sits in between, and is a popular choice for beginners who want something stable but still easy to turn.

This guide compares surfboard length with 12 everyday things — sea animals, beach gear and household objects you can picture — so you can feel 9 feet at a glance, with pictures for every comparison.

Reference Guide Surfboard Conversion Chart
Unit	Equivalent to a longboard
Feet	9 ft
Inches	108 in
Centimeters	274 cm
Meters	2.74 m
Yards	3 yd
Miles	0.0017 mi

Quick tip: Multiply feet by 12 to get inches — 9 feet is 108 inches; a shortboard at about 6 feet is 72 inches.

Reference Guide 12 Things About as Long as a Surfboard
Category	Common Objects
Animals and Sea Life	A Blacktip Reef Shark A Manta Ray A Great White Pelican A Great Blue Heron
Water and Beach	A Large Beach Umbrella A Recreational Kayak A Stand-Up Paddleboard A Windsurf Board
Home and Sports	A Rowing Oar A 9-Foot Extension Ladder A Round Trampoline A Tall Sunflower

Here is the full list of surfboard length comparisons covered in this guide, organized by category.

How Long Is a Surfboard — Animals and Sea Life

Sea animals give some of the most memorable surfboard length references, because the ocean is where surfboards belong — and some of its creatures match a board almost foot for foot.

1. A Blacktip Reef Shark

A blacktip reef shark, about 6 feet long, like a shortboard

A blacktip reef shark is about 6 feet long. That is close to a shortboard at about 6 feet — the shark and the board are about the same length nose to tail.

This blacktip-reef-shark-length surfboard comparison is a surfer’s own reference: the shark that sometimes shares the waves with you is about as long as the shortboard under your feet. A longboard, at about 9 feet, would be about 3 feet longer than the shark.

2. A Manta Ray

A manta ray, about 7 feet across, close to a surfboard

A manta ray is about 7 feet across from wingtip to wingtip. That is close to a surfboard — between a shortboard at about 6 feet and a funboard at about 7 to 8 feet.

This manta-ray-width surfboard comparison is an ocean reference: picture a manta ray gliding past with its wings spread wide, and you are picturing something about as wide as a funboard is long. A longboard at about 9 feet would still be about 2 feet longer than the ray is wide.

3. A Great White Pelican

A great white pelican, about 9 feet wingspan, like a longboard

A great white pelican has a wingspan of about 9 feet. That is close to a longboard at about 9 feet — the bird’s wings stretch about as far as the board is long.

This great-white-pelican-wingspan surfboard comparison is almost a perfect match: lay a longboard on the sand and a pelican could stretch its wings right along it, tip to tip. It is one of the closest animal matches for a longboard.

4. A Great Blue Heron

A great blue heron, about 6 feet wingspan, like a shortboard

A great blue heron has a wingspan of about 6 feet. That is close to a shortboard at about 6 feet — the heron’s wings stretch about as far as the board is long.

This great-blue-heron-wingspan surfboard comparison is a shoreline reference: herons wade and hunt along the same beaches where surfers carry their boards. Spread its wings and the heron matches a shortboard almost perfectly, while a longboard at about 9 feet would be about 3 feet longer.

How Long Is a Surfboard — Water and Beach

Beach and water gear are practical surfboard length references, because they sit next to surfboards on the sand and in the water, and many of them are built in the same few feet.

5. A Large Beach Umbrella

A large beach umbrella, about 8 feet across, close to a surfboard

A large beach umbrella is about 8 feet across when it is open. That is close to a surfboard — between a funboard at about 7 to 8 feet and a longboard at about 9 feet.

This large-beach-umbrella-width surfboard comparison is a beach-day reference: open your umbrella on the sand and its span is about as wide as a funboard is long. A longboard would be only about a foot longer than the umbrella is wide.

6. A Recreational Kayak

A recreational kayak, about 9 feet long, like a longboard

A recreational kayak is about 9 feet long. That is close to a longboard at about 9 feet — the kayak and the board are about the same length.

This recreational-kayak-length surfboard comparison is a water-sports reference: kayaks and longboards are both built to glide on the water, and a short recreational kayak matches a longboard almost perfectly. It is one of the closest matches for 9 feet on the water.

7. A Stand-Up Paddleboard

A stand-up paddleboard, about 10 feet long, close to a longboard

A stand-up paddleboard is about 10 feet long. That is close to a longboard at about 9 feet — the paddleboard is only about a foot longer than the board.

This stand-up-paddleboard-length surfboard comparison is a beach reference: paddleboards and longboards are often stacked side by side at a beach rental shop. The paddleboard is just a little longer, so a longboard laid next to it would fall about a foot short.

8. A Windsurf Board

A windsurf board, about 8 to 9 feet long, like a surfboard

A windsurf board is about 8 to 9 feet long. That is close to a surfboard — right around a longboard at about 9 feet, and a little longer than a funboard at about 7 to 8 feet.

This windsurf-board-length surfboard comparison is a wind-and-wave reference: a windsurf board is basically a surfboard with a sail, so it is no surprise the two are about the same length. Lay them side by side on the beach and they would nearly match end to end.

How Long Is a Surfboard — Home and Sports

These last comparisons round out the list of surfboard length references, showing how ordinary things at home and on the sports field can land on the same 9 feet as a longboard.

9. A Rowing Oar

A rowing oar, about 9 feet long, like a longboard

A rowing oar is about 9 feet long. That is close to a longboard at about 9 feet — the oar and the board are about the same length.

This rowing-oar-length surfboard comparison is a rowing reference: an oar is built long so it can reach deep into the water, and that length happens to match a longboard almost perfectly. Hold an oar upright and it stands about as tall as a longboard stood on its end.

10. A 9-Foot Extension Ladder

A 9-foot extension ladder, about 9 feet long, like a longboard

A 9-foot extension ladder is about 9 feet long when it is closed up. That is close to a longboard at about 9 feet — the ladder and the board are about the same length.

This 9-foot-extension-ladder-length surfboard comparison is a household reference: lean a closed ladder against the garage wall and it stands about as tall as a longboard. It is one of the easiest ways to picture 9 feet without going to the beach.

11. A Round Trampoline

A round trampoline, about 8 feet across, close to a surfboard

A round trampoline is about 8 feet across. That is close to a surfboard — about the length of a funboard at about 7 to 8 feet, and only about a foot shorter than a longboard at about 9 feet.

This round-trampoline-width surfboard comparison is a backyard reference: walk across a small round trampoline and you have walked about the length of a funboard. A longboard laid across the trampoline would stick out just a little past the edge.

12. A Tall Sunflower

A tall sunflower, about 7 feet tall, close to a surfboard

A tall sunflower grows to about 7 feet tall. That is close to a surfboard — about the length of a funboard at about 7 to 8 feet, and about a foot longer than a shortboard at about 6 feet.

This tall-sunflower-height surfboard comparison is a garden reference: stand next to a tall sunflower and its flower head is about as high as a funboard stood on end. A longboard at about 9 feet would tower about 2 feet above it.

FAQ Section

How long is a surfboard?

A surfboard’s length depends on its type. A longboard is about 9 feet long, a shortboard about 6 feet, and a funboard about 7 to 8 feet.

How long is a longboard?

A longboard is about 9 feet long, which is 108 inches, 274 centimetres or 2.74 metres. Longboards are usually 9 feet or longer, and are the easiest boards to learn on.

How long is a shortboard?

A shortboard is about 6 feet long, which is 72 inches, 183 centimetres or 1.83 metres. Shortboards are built for fast turns and bigger waves, and are usually ridden by experienced surfers.

What is a funboard and how long is it?

A funboard, also called a mini-mal, is a surfboard between a longboard and a shortboard. It is about 7 to 8 feet long — about 7.5 feet, or 90 inches and 229 centimetres, is typical — and is a popular choice for beginners.

How can I picture 9 feet without a surfboard?

Picture a recreational kayak at about 9 feet long, a rowing oar at about 9 feet, a great white pelican’s wingspan at about 9 feet, or a 9-foot extension ladder — all close to a longboard’s 9 feet.

Conclusion

So, how long is a surfboard? In this surfboard length guide, the answer is about 9 feet for a longboard — 108 inches, 274 centimetres or 2.74 metres — about 6 feet for a shortboard, and about 7 to 8 feet for a funboard. That is about the length of a recreational kayak, a rowing oar and a great white pelican’s wingspan, and about the width of a large beach umbrella. From a blacktip reef shark to a tall sunflower, these 12 everyday comparisons make surfboard length easy to picture. Next time you see a board on the beach, you will know how long it is — and now you know what matches it.