An indoor volleyball is 65–67 cm around, weighs 260–280 g and is pumped harder than a beach ball. A beach ball weighs the same but is slightly bigger and much softer, so it floats in the wind. For practice, buy the same model your league plays with if you can. For players 12 and under, choose a full-size light ball.
| Model | Best for | Level | Price tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mikasa V200W | The international game ball | Competitive | Premium | Official FIVB match ball; not legal in US high-school (NFHS) or NCAA women's matches |
| Molten FLISTATEC (V5M5000) | Leagues that use Molten | Competitive | Premium | Short break-in period |
| Molten Super Touch (IV58L) | US high-school and college players | Competitive | Premium | Genuine leather; keep it dry |
| Tachikara SV5WSC Sensi-Tec | School teams and practice | Intermediate | Mid-range | Softer feel; pump not included |
| Mikasa VQ2000 | Younger players and home practice | Practice | Mid-range | Indoor only |
| Molten Recreational (MS500) | Parks, camps and backyard games | Recreational | Budget | Not a match ball |
| Mikasa BV550C | Serious beach players | Competitive | Mid-range | Official FIVB beach ball since 2023 |
| Wilson OPTX AVP | US beach players | Competitive | Premium | Official AVP game ball |
| Molten V5B5000 | Good-value competition beach ball | Intermediate | Mid-range | FIVB-approved, stitched |
| Spec | Indoor | Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Circumference | 65–67 cm | 66–68 cm |
| Weight | 260–280 g | 260–280 g |
| Pressure | 0.30–0.325 kg/cm² | 0.175–0.225 kg/cm² |
| Build | Usually glued (laminated) panels | Usually stitched, water-resistant |
Beach balls aren't lighter. They're the same weight, but bigger and softer. Don't use an indoor ball on sand or grass: it soaks up water and wears quickly.
Leagues and tournaments set the ball; check yours before buying. Outside the US, your national federation or league names its match ball; many use FIVB-approved models.
| Competition | Official ball |
|---|---|
| FIVB indoor | Mikasa V200W |
| FIVB beach / Beach Pro Tour | Mikasa BV550C |
| Competition | Official ball |
|---|---|
| NCAA women's championships | Molten Super Touch (IV58L-N) |
| NCAA men's championships | Molten FLISTATEC (V5M5000-3N) |
| High school (NFHS) | Any ball with the NFHS Authenticating Mark (several brands) |
| USA Volleyball | Molten is the official ball brand |
| AVP (pro beach) | Wilson OPTX AVP |
In the US: an FIVB ball isn't always legal in US school play. NCAA women's and high-school rules require a smooth cover (12 or more panels), and high-school balls must carry the NFHS mark. The dimpled V200W meets neither rule.
Best for: players who want the international game ball.
What stands out
Watch out for: not legal for US high-school (NFHS) or NCAA women's matches.
Best for: players whose league uses Molten, including US club (USA Volleyball) and NCAA men's play.
What stands out
Watch out for: needs a short break-in period; check the exact version if you need the NFHS mark.
Best for: US high-school and college players (genuine leather).
What stands out
Watch out for: leather needs to be broken in and must stay dry (indoor only).
Best for: school teams and practice; a softer feel.
What stands out
Watch out for: pump not included.
Best for: younger players (about ages 11–14), school teams and home practice on a budget.
What stands out
Watch out for: indoor only.
Best for: parks, camps and backyard games.
What stands out
Watch out for: not a match ball, so the touch differs from game balls.
Light balls are full size but lighter, so they sting less and make overhand passing and serving easier to learn. Many national federations publish youth net heights and ball recommendations, for example USA Volleyball, Volleyball England and Volleyball Canada, so check your own national federation. In the US, USA Volleyball approves balls of 198–227 g for 12-and-under play, compared with 260–280 g for a standard ball. Examples: Molten VB-U12 Light, Tachikara Volley-Lite, Mikasa VUL500.
Playing with kids? See What Age to Start and Drills for Kids.
Best for: serious beach players.
What stands out
Watch out for: too soft for indoor use.
Best for: US beach players.
What stands out
Watch out for: buy the “game” version; replica and grass versions also exist.
Best for: a good-value competition beach ball.
What stands out
Practicing on your own? See Solo Drills.
An indoor volleyball is 65–67 cm (about 26 in) around and weighs 260–280 g (9–10 oz). Beach balls are slightly bigger, 66–68 cm, with the same weight.
Beach balls are slightly bigger, pumped to much lower pressure and usually stitched to resist water, so they feel softer and float more. They weigh the same as indoor balls.
Indoor Olympic and FIVB events use the Mikasa V200W; FIVB beach events use the Mikasa BV550C.
A real size-5 indoor ball from a volleyball brand. If you play in a league, buy the same model your league uses. For kids 12 and under, choose a full-size light ball.
Indoor balls are inflated to 0.30–0.325 kg/cm² (about 4.3–4.6 psi); beach balls to about 0.175–0.225 kg/cm² (about 2.5–3.2 psi). Use a gauge and follow the pressure printed on the ball.
