Bike Length Chart with Bike Size Guide (Cm and In)

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Find your size in road, mountain, hybrid, and kids bicycles
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There's more to cycling than just hopping on whatever bike looks the coolest—a lot more! To get the best performance, you'll need to figure out your ideal bike size based on the bicycle frame length and your height and inseam measurements. If that sounds complicated, don't worry: we're about to make it super easy on you! Keep reading to find frame size charts for road, mountain, hybrid, and kids' bikes. Plus, we'll explain how to choose the best bicycle frame size and height to fit your needs. Let's go!

Bike Length Chart: A Brief Overview

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A chart showing the sizes for adult, road, mountain, and hybrid bikes based on height and inseam measurements.

The length of a bike frame—or, more accurately, the vertical seat tube—determines the bicycle's size. The seat tube runs from underneath the saddle to the bottom bracket. To find your ideal bike size, measure your height and/or inseam, then find the corresponding seat tube length and size on the bike length chart.

Section 1 of 5:

Road Frame Size Chart

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  1. Road bikes are for smooth terrain and require a 2 in (5.1 cm) standover height.
    A road bike is designed for fast riding across fairly even terrain like streets, sidewalks, and paved walking paths in the park.[1] They're sized in inches or centimeters based on the length of the bike's seat tube, which runs from the saddle down toward the bottom bracket.[2] When choosing a road bike size, look for one with a standover height that gives you a 2 in (5.1 cm) clearance between your groin and the top tube. You can also use your height and inseam measurements to pick a size, following these guidelines:[3]
    • 5'0"-5'3" (152-160 cm) or 29.5 in (75 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 19.7 in (50 cm) or XS[4]
    • 5'4"-5'6" (163-168 cm) or 29.9-30.7 in (76-78 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 20.1-20.5 in (51-52 cm) or S
    • 5'7"-5'9" (170-175 cm) or 31.1-31.9 in (79-81 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 20.9-21.3 in (53-54 cm) or M
    • 5'10"-5'11" (178-180 in) or 32.3-33.5 in (82-85 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 21.7-22.4 in (55-57 cm) or L
    • 6'0"-6'2" (183-188 cm) or 33.9-34.6 in (86-88 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 22.8-23.3 in (58-59 cm) or XL
    • 6'3" and up (191+ cm) or 35-35.4 in (89-90 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 23.6-24.4 in (60-62 cm) or XXL
    • What is standover height? It's the distance from the ground to the midpoint of the top tube. A clearance between your groin and the standover height helps prevent bruising or a serious injury if you slip from the seat or crash while riding.[5]
    • Note: These size charts work for both men’s and women’s bikes!
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Section 2 of 5:

Mountain Frame Size Chart

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  1. Mountain bikes are for rough terrain and require a 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm) standover height.
    Mountain bikes are constructed for riding on rugged terrain, like hills and rocks—and, of course, mountains. Like road bikes, mountain bike sizes are based on the seat tube length, but the biggest difference between the 2 styles is the sloped top tube. The top tube's steep incline leaves more space between the top tube and the seat, allowing for a minimum standover height of 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm). The large clearance protects the rider from injury as they jump and ride over large or bumpy obstacles. Here's a breakdown of how to find your mountain bike size using your height and inseam:[6]
    • 4'10"-5'1" (147-155 cm) or 24-29 in (61-74 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 14 in (36 cm) or less, or XS[7]
    • 5'1"-5'5" (155-165 cm) or 25-30 in (64-76 cm) inseam
      • Bike size: 15-16 in (38-41 cm) or S
    • 5'5"-5'9" (165-175 cm) or 26-31 in (66-79 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 16-17 in (41-43 cm) or M
    • 5'9"-6'0" (175-183 cm) or 27-32 in (69-81 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 17-18 in (43-46 cm) or L
    • 6'0"-6'3" (183-191 cm) or 28-33 in (71-84 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 18-19 in (46-48 cm) or XL
    • 6'1"-6'6" (185-198 cm) or 29-34 in (74-86 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 19+ in (48+ cm) or XXL
    • If you’re between sizes, size up for more stability or down for more maneuverability.
Section 3 of 5:

Hybrid Frame Size Chart

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  1. Hybrid bikes work on both even and uneven roads, and require a 1 in (2.5 cm) standover height.
    If you use your bike to commute or work out, with some light off-roading, a hybrid bike may be just the ticket. It's fast like a road bike, but it's comfortable like a mountain bike.[8] Once again, you're going to go by your height and inseam measurements to pick a size, which is based on the seat tube length. The top tube is only slightly angled, and you can get away with a minimum 1 in (2.5 cm) standover height to be safe. Use the guidelines below to pick a hybrid bike size:[9]
    • 4'10"-5'1" (147-155 cm) or 24-29 in (61-74 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 14 in (36 cm), or XS[10]
    • 5'1"-5'5" (155-165 cm) or 25-30 in (64-76 cm) inseam
      • Bike size: 15 in (38 cm) or S
    • 5'5"-5'9" (165-175 cm) or 26-31 in (66-79 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 16 in (41 cm) or M
    • 5'9"-6'0" (175-183 cm) or 27-32 in (69-81 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 17 in (43 cm) or L
    • 6'0"-6'3" (183-191 cm) or 28-33 in (71-84 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 18 in (46 cm) or XL
    • 6'1"-6'6" (185-198 cm) or 29-34 in (74-86 cm) inseam
      • Bike frame size: 19 in (48 cm) or XXL
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Section 4 of 5:

Kids Bike Size Chart

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  1. Kids' bike sizes are based on the size of the wheels.
    When choosing a bicycle size for your little one, start by measuring their height. Then, select a wheel size based on their height and age. Here are the wheel sizes to look for and which height and age ranges they correspond to:[11]
    • 28"-38" and ages 2-4 years old
      • Wheel size: 12 in (30 cm)
    • 36"-40" and ages 3-4 years old
      • Wheel size: 14 in (36 cm)
    • 38"-48" and ages 3-7 years old
      • Wheel size: 16 in (41 cm)
    • 42"-52" and ages 5-9 years old
      • Wheel size: 18 in (46 cm)
    • 48"-60" and ages 7-13 years old
      • Wheel size: 20 in (51 cm)
    • 56"-66" and 10-15 years old
      • Wheel size: 24 in (61 cm)
    • If your child is between sizes, choose the larger size if they’re a confident rider or the smaller size if they’re still getting comfortable riding.
Section 5 of 5:

How to Choose the Best Bike Frame Size and Height

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  1. Step 1 Calculate your bike size in centimeters based on your inseam length.
    Take your inseam by measuring the distance from the floor to your groin. You can do that easily by sliding a book between your thighs and pressing it up into your crotch as if you were sitting on a saddle. Then, with a friend or family member's help, measure from the floor to the top of the book (a retractable measuring tape works best if you're working alone).[12] If you measured in inches, convert the final number to centimeters. Once you have your inseam in centimeters, here are the formulas for finding your bicycle frame size:[13]
    • Road bike frame size: Inseam (cm) x 0.665
    • Mountain bike frame size: Inseam (cm) x 0.225
    • Hybrid bike frame size: Inseam (cm) x 0.685
    • Are you in between bike sizes? If so, use the ape index test to determine whether you need a frame with a longer reach to the handlebars or a shorter reach. Perform the test by stretching your arms out to either side, then follow these guidelines:[14]
      • If your arm span is longer than your height, choose the bigger size.
      • If it's shorter than your height, choose the smaller size.
  2. Step 2 Select a bike with enough standover height clearance to help you avoid injury.
    To recap, standover height is how high your groin needs to be from the floor to fit over the top bar of a bicycle.[15] For hybrid bikes, you want at least 1 in (2.5 cm) of clearance between your groin and the top tube. Choose a bicycle with 2 in (5.1 cm) clearance for road bikes, and 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm) for a mountain bike.[16]
    • Check the specs of the bike and see if it lists a standover height. Then compare it to your inseam, which is basically the distance from the ground to your groin. If you're shopping in person, you can stand over the bike and eyeball the measurement, or bring a tape measure to be more precise.
  3. Step 3 Ensure your knees bend 12-15% when sitting on a bike with your feet on the ground.
    When you're sitting on a bicycle and holding it up with your feet, your legs shouldn't be fully extended. Nor should they be bent at a dramatic angle. Instead, cycling experts Marty Williams and Jonathan Yaffe say to aim for a 12-15% bend in your knees. Williams adds that you shouldn't be resting on your toes.[17] Another way to think about it is to extend your legs only about 80-90% straight.[18]
  4. Step 4 Ensure you can reach the handlebars without straining or losing your balance.
    When you're testing how well you can reach the handlebars, think about whether you would be able to comfortably touch piano keys at that distance. If so, it's probably a good fit![19]
    • Remember, you can always adjust the seat height to reach better, or install a new stem to change the height or position of the handlebars.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.calcoastadventures.com/road-bike-vs-hybrid-bike/
  2. ↑ https://www.evanscycles.com/help/bike-sizing-road
  3. ↑ https://www.academy.com/expert-advice/bike-sizing-chart
  4. ↑ https://www.evanscycles.com/help/bike-sizing-road
  5. ↑ https://www.hovsco.com/blogs/blogs/standover-height-who-cares
  6. ↑ https://www.academy.com/expert-advice/bike-sizing-chart
  7. ↑ https://www.evanscycles.com/help/bike-sizing-mountain
  8. ↑ https://www.calcoastadventures.com/road-bike-vs-hybrid-bike/
  9. ↑ https://www.academy.com/expert-advice/bike-sizing-chart
  1. ↑ https://www.evanscycles.com/help/bike-sizing-hybrid
  2. ↑ https://www.schwinnbikes.com/blogs/compass/the-guide-to-kids-bike-sizes-and-height
  3. ↑ https://www.hovsco.com/blogs/blogs/standover-height-who-cares
  4. ↑ https://www.academy.com/expert-advice/bike-sizing-chart
  5. ↑ https://blog.halfords.com/what-to-do-if-youre-in-between-bike-sizes/
  6. ↑ https://www.hovsco.com/blogs/blogs/standover-height-who-cares
  7. ↑ https://www.academy.com/expert-advice/bike-sizing-chart
  8. ↑ Marty Williams and Jonathan Yaffe. Cycling Experts. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bike-fit.html
  10. ↑ https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bike-fit.html

About This Article

Marty Williams and Jonathan Yaffe
Co-authored by:
Marty Williams and Jonathan Yaffe
Cycling Experts
This article was co-authored by Marty Williams and Jonathan Yaffe and by wikiHow staff writer, Elaine Heredia, BA. Marty Williams and Jonathan Yaffe are cycling experts from the revolutionary cycling brand Martoni. Marty is an inventor and serial entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of Martoni, and the visionary behind the CardioSpeeder and the Super-E products. Marty also founded Let’s Go Aero, which offers a variety of transportation, storage and organizational products for the bicycle lifestyle. Jonathan is the founder and principal engineer at Javelin Mech LLC, an automotive engineering services business he founded over 11 years ago. Jonathan is a mechanical engineer with over 21 years of experience who built his first BMX bike when he was just 11 years old. Together, Marty and Jonathan have brought the Martoni bicycle products to life, with the goal of redefining the bike riding experience. This article has been viewed 1,278 times.
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Co-authors: 2
Updated: June 26, 2026
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Categories: Bicycles
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