Free kayak paddle length calculator. Enter your height and kayak width to find your recommended paddle length in centimetres and inches.
Your results will appear here.
Enter your values and press Calculate.
This kayak paddle length calculator starts from 195 cm, adds 0.35 cm for every centimetre of height above 140 cm, and adds 1.5 cm for every inch of kayak width above 20 inches, then rounds to the nearest 5 cm and clamps the result between 190 and 260 cm. A paddler 175 cm tall with a 28 inch wide kayak gets 220 cm, about 86.6 inches.
The estimate starts from 195 cm, adds 0.35 cm for every centimetre of height above 140 cm, and adds 1.5 cm for every inch of kayak width above 20 inches, then rounds to the nearest 5 cm and clamps the result between 190 and 260 cm. A paddler 175 cm tall with a 28 inch wide kayak gets 220 cm, about 86.6 inches, while a 160 cm paddler with a 24 inch kayak gets 210 cm, about 82.7 inches. Treat the result as a starting size: brands vary slightly, so check the chart of the brand you plan to buy.
This kayak paddle sizing guide summarises the low angle charts that agree closely across brands. Paddlers under 5 feet use about 210 cm under 23 inches of width, 220 cm at 23 to 28 inches, 230 cm at 28 to 32 inches, and 240 cm over 32 inches. Paddlers 5 feet to 5 feet 6 inches use 215, 220, 230, and 240 cm across the same width bands, paddlers 5 feet 6 inches to 6 feet use 220, 220, 230, and 250 cm, and paddlers over 6 feet use 220, 230, 240, and 250 cm. The wider the boat, the longer the paddle, because the blade must clear the sides without forcing a wide, sweeping stroke.
Low angle paddling uses a more horizontal stroke with the top hand near shoulder height, a longer and narrower blade, and a slightly longer shaft, which suits touring, fishing, and casual paddling with less shoulder strain. High angle paddling uses a more vertical stroke with the blade entering close to the boat, a shorter and wider blade, and a shorter shaft, which suits sea kayaking, fitness paddling, and technical rivers where power and control matter. As a rule, a high angle paddle runs about 10 cm shorter than a low angle paddle for the same paddler and boat.
Touring kayak paddle length usually falls between 210 and 230 cm, because touring and sea kayaks are narrow, typically 22 to 26 inches wide, and reward an efficient stroke. Fishing kayak paddle length runs longer, typically 240 to 260 cm, because fishing and sit on top kayaks are wide and often have raised seats, so add about 5 cm for a raised seat. Whitewater kayak paddle length is much shorter, about 188 to 204 cm by height, because short paddles give quick, powerful strokes for rapids, turning, and balance in technical water.
To measure kayak paddle length by hand, stand the paddle upright next to you, reach your arm straight up, and curl your fingers over the top blade. If you can hook your fingers comfortably over the edge, the length is approximately right. If you cannot reach the blade at all, the paddle is too long, and if your whole hand extends well above the blade, the paddle may be too short. The reach test ignores kayak width and paddling style, so use it as a rough check after the chart, not as a replacement for it.
If you fall between two sizes, it is usually better to go shorter, because either size would probably work and the shorter paddle saves a few ounces. Go longer instead when you have a wide boat, a high seat, a low angle stroke, or a slower, more leisurely pace. Many paddles adjust over a 10 cm range, which covers the gap between sizes and lets one paddle serve two kayaks, so an adjustable paddle is a smart buy when you are unsure.
For most recreational paddlers on a standard width kayak, 220 to 230 cm is a good starting point. Adjust up if you are tall or paddling a wide kayak, and adjust down if you are shorter or using a narrow touring kayak.
Taller paddlers need longer paddles, and wider kayaks need longer paddles, because the blade must reach the water past the sides of the boat. Both factors work together: a tall paddler in a wide boat needs the longest paddle, while a short paddler in a narrow boat needs the shortest.
Low angle paddles use a horizontal stroke, a longer and narrower blade, and a slightly longer shaft, which suits relaxed touring and fishing. High angle paddles use a vertical stroke, a shorter and wider blade, and a shorter shaft, which suits powerful, fast paddling.
Whitewater paddles run about 188 to 204 cm depending on height: under 5 feet 2 inches about 188 to 194 cm, 5 feet 2 inches to 5 feet 8 inches about 190 to 196 cm, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet 1 inch about 192 to 200 cm, and over 6 feet 1 inch about 196 to 204 cm.
Yes. Fishing and sit on top kayaks are wider and often have raised seats, so they typically need 240 to 260 cm paddles. Add about 5 cm for a raised seat, and prefer an adjustable paddle if you switch between fishing and touring boats.
Usually go shorter, since either size would probably work and the shorter paddle is lighter. Go longer if you have a wide boat, a high seat, a low angle stroke, or a slower paddling pace.
Stand the paddle upright next to you, reach your arm straight up, and curl your fingers over the top blade. If you can hook your fingers comfortably over the edge, the length is approximately right for you.
Paddle lengths are sold in centimetres, while kayak widths are usually given in inches. This calculator returns both: centimetres for buying, and inches for comparison with charts that use inches.