Bike Frame Size Chart – How To Choose Correct Bike Size

Written by Dan Paul
Updated on
18 inches bike frame size chart

In this article, you will find bike frame size charts. The right size bike ensures comfort and better balance for both short and long-distance journeys. 

I spent the whole day researching different ways to determine the right bike frame size. This article contains multiple methods that can help you out. 

Most bike frame size chart articles don’t consider that there are different bike types and that they vary in size. I set out to fix that.

Different bike types come in different sizes. For example, mountain bikes and road bikes have different sizes. The same applies to men’s and women’s bikes.

Make sure what bike type you want and find your bike frame size chart. 

Here are the different bike size charts:

Consider bike type you want
Bike Height Chart
Calculating the bike size
Amazon fit guide
Road Bike Size Chart
Mountain Bike Size Chart
City Bike Size Chart
Hybrid Bike Size Chart
Women’s Mountain Bike Size Chart
Women’s Road Bike Size Chart
Time Trial Bike Size Chart
Electric Bike Size Chart
BMX Size Chart
What if you fall between frame sizes?
How to understand that your bike doesn’t fit you?
What to do if your bike is the wrong size?
Final thoughts

Keep reading to find out more about different bike frame size charts. 

Consider the bike type you want

Have you already decided what bike type you want to have? There are several different bike types and they all vary in size. Things get more complicated as each bike brand is slightly different. Bike sizes are also different between men’s and women’s bikes. 

If you’re unsure what bike type you want, read my article about bike types. It will give you a great overview of 21 bike types and help you to decide. 

Bike Height Chart 

One of the easiest ways to determine the right frame size is by using your height. This method is good for beginners, as it gives you general information.

It won’t give you the best possible fit, but the final result will be satisfying. Remember that you can adjust the saddle post and handlebars as long as the frame size is right. 

Height (in & ft)Height (cm)Frame Size (in)Frame Size (cm)
4’12” to 5′ 3″ 150 – 160cm13 to 15 inches 33cm – 38cm
5’3″ to 5′ 7″ 160 – 170cm15 to 16 inches38cm – 40cm
5’7″ to 5′ 11″ 170 – 180cm16 to 17 inches40cm – 43cm
6’0″ to 6′ 2″180 – 188cm17 to 19 inches 43cm – 48cm
6’2″ to 6′ 4″188 – 193 cm19 to 21 inches48cm – 53cm
6’4″ and taller 193cm and taller21 inches and up53cm and up

Calculating the bike size

If you don’t like generic guides and lean towards precision, this method might be your favorite. 

Formula: Bike Type x Leg inseam = Your frame size (in centimeters)

Step 1 – Select bike type

  • Road bike: x 0.70
  • Mountain bike: x 0.685
  • City bike: x 0.685

Step 2 – Measure your leg inseam

Remove your shoes altogether with socks and stand with your legs straight. Set your legs 15-22cm (5.9 – 8.6 inches) apart. Now measure your leg length from the ground to your crotch.

Step 3 – Calculate

Now get your phone and open a calculator app. For example, my leg inseam is 72cm (30 inches), and I am interested in the road bike.

0.70 x 79 = 55,3cm

My frame size should be 55cm. Simple and convenient! 

Amazon fit guide

Would you rather rely on trustworthy sources regarding guides and sizes? No problem. The biggest online retailer Amazon put together its bike fit guide. 

Their guide is based on the formula mentioned above – bike type x leg inseam. Instead of doing the math yourself, you can look at their chart

Road Bike Size Chart

Height (ft & in)Height (cm)Frame Size (in)Frame Size (cm)Frame Size
4’10” – 5’2″148cm – 152cm47″ – 48″47cm – 48cmXX-Small
5’2″ – 5’6″152cm – 160cm49″ – 50″49cm – 50cmX-Small
5’3″ – 5’6″160cm – 168cm51″ – 53″51cm – 53cmSmall
5’6″ – 5’9″168cm – 175cm54″ – 55″ 54cm – 55cmMedium
5’9″ – 6’0″175cm – 183cm56″ – 58″56cm – 58cmLarge
6’0″ – 6’3″183cm – 191cm58″ – 60″58cm – 60cmX-Large
6’3″ – 6’6″191cm – 198cm61″ – 63″61cm – 63cmXX-Large

Mountain Bike Size Chart 

Height (ft & in)Height (cm)Frame Size (in)Frame Size (cm)Frame Size 
4’10” – 5’2″148cm – 158cm13″ – 14″33cm – 37cmX-Small
5’2″ – 5’6″158cm – 168cm15″ – 16″38cm – 42cmSmall
5’6″ – 5’10”168cm – 178cm17″ – 18″43cm – 47cmMedium
5’10” – 6’1″178cm – 185cm19″ – 20″ 48cm – 52cmLarge
6’1″ – 6’4″185cm – 193cm21″ – 22″53cm – 57cmX-Large
6’4″ – 6’6″193cm – 198cm22″ – 24″58cm – 61cm XX-Large

City Bike Size Chart

Height (ft & in)Height (cm)Frame Size (in)Frame Size (cm)Frame Size 
4’10” – 5’2″148cm – 158cm14”35cmX-Small
5’2″ – 5’6″158cm – 168cm15”38cmSmall
5’3″ – 5’6″160cm – 168cm16”40cmMedium
5’6″ – 5’9″168cm – 175cm17”43cmLarge
5’9″ – 6’0″175cm – 183cm18”45cmX-Large
6’0″ – 6’3″183cm – 190cm19”48cmXX-Large

Hybrid Bike Size Chart 

Height (ft & in)Height (cm)Frame Size (in)Frame Size (cm)Frame SIze 
4’10” – 5’2″148cm – 158cm13″ – 14”33cm – 37cmX-Small
5’2″ – 5’6″158cm – 168cm15” – 16″38cm – 42cmSmall
5’6″ – 5’10”168cm – 178cm17″ – 18″43cm – 47cmMedium
5’10” – 6’1″178cm – 185cm19″ – 20″48cm – 52cmLarge
6’1″ – 6’4″185cm – 193cm21″ – 22″53cm – 57cmX-Large
6’4″ – 6’6″193cm – 198cm23″ – 24″58cm – 61cmXX-Large

Women’s Mountain Bike Size Chart

Height (ft & in)Height (cm)Frame size (in)Frame Size (cm)Frame Size
4’10” – 5’2″148cm – 158cm13″ – 14″33cm – 35cmX-Small
5’2″ – 5’6″158cm – 168cm15″ – 16″38cm – 40cmSmall
5’6″ – 5’10”168cm – 178cm17″ – 18″41cm – 45cmMedium
5’10” – 6’1″178cm – 185cm19″ and up48cm and upLarge

Women’s Road Bike Size Chart 

Height (ft & in)Height (cm)Frame Size (in)Frame size (cm)Frame Size 
4’10” – 5’1″147cm – 155cm17″ – 18″44cm – 46cmXX-Small
5’1″ – 5’3″155cm – 160cm19″ – 20″47cm – 49cmX-Small
5’3″ – 5’5″160cm – 165cm20″ – 21″ 50cm – 52cmSmall
5’5″ – 5’8″165cm – 172cm21″ – 22″53cm – 55cmMedium
5’8″ – 5’10”172cm – 180cm22″ – 23″56cm – 57cmLarge

Time Trial Bike Size Chart

Height (ft & in)Height (cm)Frame Size (in)Frame size (cm)Frame Size 
4’10” – 5’0″148cm – 152cm47″ – 48″47cm – 48cmXX-Small
5’0″ – 5’3″152cm – 160cm49″ – 50″49cm – 50cmX-Small
5’3″ – 5’6″160cm – 168cm51″ – 53″51cm – 53cmSmall
5’6″ – 5’9″168cm – 175cm54″ – 55″ 54cm – 55cmMedium
5’9″ – 6’0″175cm – 183cm56″ – 58″56cm – 58cmLarge
6’0″ – 6’3″183cm – 191cm58″ – 60″58cm – 60cmX-Large
6’3″ – 6’6″191cm – 198cm61″ – 63″61cm – 63cmXX-Large

Electric Bike Size Chart

Height (ft & in)Height (cm)Frame Size (in)Frame size (cm)Frame Size 
4’10” – 5’2″148cm – 158cm13” – 14” 33 – 37X-Small
5’2″ – 5’6″158cm – 168cm15” – 16” 38 – 42Small
5’6″ – 5’10”168cm – 178cm17” – 18” 43 – 47Medium
5’10” – 6’1″178cm – 185cm19” – 20” 48 – 52Large
6’1″ – 6’4″185cm – 193cm21” – 22” 53 – 57X-Large
6’4″ – 6’6″193cm – 198cm23” – 24” 58 – 61XX-Large

BMX Bikes Size Chart 

Height (ft & in)Height (cm)Suggested ageBMX Wheel Size
3’7″ – 4’0″110cm – 122cm5 – 7 years16″
4’0″ – 4’10”122cm – 147cm7 – 11 years18″
4’10” – 6’4″147cm – 193cm 11+ years 20″

What if you fall between frame sizes? 

You read many guides and charts and find yourself between two frame sizes. 

I was in the same situation, and luckily it is normal. 

What do you want from your bike and what will you do? If your purpose is racing, then I’d recommend a smaller bike.

If you care about stability and a relaxed cruise, go for a bigger bike. 

Another aspect to consider is the way you’re built.

If you have long limbs, then you better choose a larger frame. 

How to understand that your bike doesn’t fit you?

There are a few basic points to consider to understand whether your bike sizing isn’t right.

  1. You are leaning too much forward (some call it the superman position). This position may cause fatigue in your upper back and arms. 
  2. Your shoes are hitting the front wheel. You shouldn’t be able to touch the front wheel with your toes. 
  3. The knees are hitting the handlebars. This means that your bike is too short.
  4. Can’t reach the handlebars or they are higher than your saddle.
bike brown seat

What to do if your bike is the wrong size? 

If you find out that your bike doesn’t fit you, you can return it. Sometimes people don’t want to do it because the shape, color or quality-price-ratio is very good.

You can adjust your body position to make the bike fit you better, and this can be done through seat tube length and handlebars.

Adjusting your seating 

  • You can buy a longer seat post
  • You can move your saddle up, down, to the front or rear

Adjusting handlebars 

  • You can buy longer or shorter stem

These changes will change your position and the way it feels. The situation can improve, so you don’t have to feel uncomfortable or sorry for your purchase. 

The most important thing is how you feel while cycling. If you feel comfortable, your back doesn’t hurt and you can apply all your force to the pedaling, then don’t bother yourself. Just enjoy and have fun. 

Final thoughts

Be sure to think about the frame sizes carefully. If you struggle to determine the right size bike, consider professional bike fitting from a local bike shop or you can contact me for help.

If you have children and want to cycle together comfortably, you can read my article about bike sizing for kids. Some adults find that kids bikes are harder to fit their kids than themselves.

Photo of author

AUTHOR

Dan is the owner of Sportscalorie. His mission is to educate people through his own experience. He proudly says that cycling changed his life.