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When choosing petanque boules, start with your hand: its measurement gives you the diameter, your position guides the weight, and the terrains you play on decide the metal and the hardness. In competition, only approved boules are allowed, from 70.5 to 80 mm and from 650 to 800 g, according to the FIPJP specifications (in French). This guide, the starting point of our petanque equipment topic, brings together the size chart, Jean-François’s guidelines for each position and the set he recommends for beginners.
The criteria for choosing petanque boules, in order
To work out which petanque boules to go for, follow a simple order: the diameter from the size of your hand, the weight from your position, then the metal and the hardness from the feel you like and the terrains you play on. How the boule feels in your hand has the final say.
Jean-François stresses this in our programme: hand measurements are guidelines, not an exact science. Two players with identical hands can feel comfortable with different diameters, and it is how the boule feels to them that should win out.
The best way to find that feel costs nothing: ask your clubmates or friends to lend you several sets, so that you can compare different weights, diameters and metals before you buy. That is Jean-François’s advice for making your final choice.
Leisure boules or approved boules?
An approved boule meets the FIPJP specifications: it is made of metal and is engraved with the manufacturer’s trademark, its weight and a serial number unique to each set of three boules. A leisure boule has none of these engravings, and the official FFPJP rules (in French) do not allow it in official competitions.
| Criterion | Leisure boule | Approved boule |
|---|---|---|
| Official competitions | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Engravings | No requirement | Trademark, weight, serial number |
| Choice of sizes | Often limited | Wide, millimetre by millimetre |
| Best for | Holidays, family games | Club play, competitions, players who want to improve their game |
If you are thinking of joining a club or playing your first competitions, go straight for an approved set: that way, you won’t end up buying twice. Everything else about the official game, from the circle to throwing the jack, is covered in detail in our guide to the rules of petanque.
How do you measure your hand to find the right diameter?
The diameter of a petanque boule comes from a measurement of your hand, which Jean-François suggests taking in one of two ways: from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the middle finger, with your hand outstretched and your fingers spread, or from the crease of the wrist to the tip of the middle finger, with your fingers together. With either method, Jean-François matches 20 cm to a boule of around 75 mm.
- Thumb to middle finger Hold your hand out, palm facing you, fingers spread wide, and measure from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the middle finger. If your hand measures 20 cm, Jean-François recommends 75 mm in general, 74 mm for pointing and 76 mm for shooting.
- Wrist to middle finger Keep your hand outstretched, fingers together, and measure from the crease of the wrist to the tip of the middle finger. If your hand measures 20 cm, Jean-François suggests 75 or 76 mm, depending on how the boule feels and on your position.
Shops often have a hand-shaped sizing template: place your hand on it, with the tip of your middle finger on the mark, to get another reading. Always cross-check these measurements, as none of them is enough on its own.
Adjusting for your fingers and your wrist
The shape of your hand refines the choice, Jean-François explains. Short fingers call for a slightly smaller diameter, so that you keep the boule at your fingertips without it slipping out on the release. A very supple wrist, by contrast, can handle a slightly larger diameter, which leaves the hand smoothly, without any unwanted wrist twist.
These guidelines are not hard and fast rules. In our programme, Jean-François points out that Philippe Suchaud, a world champion many times over, has always played with 72 mm boules, even though his hand would point him towards 75 mm or more.
Petanque ball size chart by hand size and position
To help you choose petanque boules in the right diameter, this size chart uses the ratio commonly found in buying guides, one millimetre of boule per centimetre of hand, anchored to Jean-François’s guideline: 20 cm from thumb to middle finger for 75 mm. Jean-François then advises pointers to take off one millimetre and shooters to add one.
| Thumb to middle finger | Middle player or all-round set | Pointer | Shooter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 cm | 72 mm | 71 mm | 73 mm |
| 18 cm | 73 mm | 72 mm | 74 mm |
| 19 cm | 74 mm | 73 mm | 75 mm |
| 20 cm | 75 mm | 74 mm | 76 mm |
| 21 cm | 76 mm | 75 mm | 77 mm |
| 22 cm | 77 mm | 76 mm | 78 mm |
| 23 cm | 78 mm | 77 mm | 79 mm |
Below 17 cm or above 23 cm, try the smallest or largest diameters in the range, within the 70.5 to 80 mm limits set by the FIPJP specifications. With the wrist-to-middle-finger measurement, Jean-François’s guideline is a little broader: 20 cm points to 75 or 76 mm, depending on how the boule feels and on your position.
Bear in mind that this chart gives you a starting point. A set proves itself in your hand over a few games, and two players with the same measurement sometimes end up with different diameters.
73 or 74 mm: how do you decide?
Between a 73 mm and a 74 mm boule, your hand measurement comes first: according to the chart above, 18 cm from thumb to middle finger points to 73 mm and 19 cm to 74 mm. For the same measurement, the pointer goes for the smaller of the two, to give the opposing shooter less of a target, and the shooter for the larger.
The all-round set that Jean-François recommends for beginners also uses 73 mm boules. Even so, you can feel a single millimetre in your hand: if you are unsure, borrow a boule in each size and play a game with each one before you decide.
What is the ideal weight for a petanque boule?
The ideal weight for a petanque boule depends on your position and your build: the FIPJP specifications allow 650 to 800 g, and Obut’s weight guide (in French) puts the most common weights at 690 to 710 g for men and 680 to 700 g for women. Pointers go heavier, shooters lighter.
A heavy boule stops more quickly and is easier to control when pointing: that is why Jean-François steers pointers towards heavier boules. A light boule takes less effort with each throw, which helps the shooter stay accurate throughout a game, as Obut points out.
For a first set, Jean-François recommends 700 g, a medium weight that keeps every option open. Beware of extreme combinations, such as a large, very light boule: it lacks density and is knocked off line by the slightest stone.
Density, the often overlooked criterion
A boule’s density is its weight divided by its volume: for the same weight, a small boule is denser than a large one. Jean-François considers it essential for pointers, because a low-density boule is thrown off line by slopes and stones, whereas a dense boule holds its line.
| Diameter | Density of a 700 g boule |
|---|---|
| 72 mm | 3.58 |
| 73 mm | 3.44 |
| 74 mm | 3.30 |
| 75 mm | 3.17 |
| 76 mm | 3.05 |
These values come from our own calculation, in grams per cubic centimetre. Jean-François’s starter set, 73 mm for 700 g, therefore has the density of 3.44 that he recommends. By the same calculation, a 74 mm boule needs to weigh about 730 g to keep that density: when you go up a millimetre, the weight has to follow.
Matching the weight to the diameter for your position takes a bit of working out. In the “Fundamentals” module of our training programme, the “Choosing your boules” video goes through each hand measurement and explains the role of density, and the next video is devoted to the grip.
Which boule should you choose as a pointer, shooter or middle player?
The ideal petanque boule changes with your position, according to Jean-François: the pointer takes a smaller diameter and a heavier, dense, grooved boule, the shooter a slightly larger diameter so that the boule leaves the hand cleanly, and the middle player an all-round, semi-soft boule.
| Position | Diameter | Weight | Surface | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pointer | Chart size minus 1 mm | Heavier, high density | Grooved, ideally | Better spin control, a smaller target for the opposing shooter, holds its line on slopes |
| Middle player | Chart size | Medium, around 700 g | One groove or smooth, depending on feel | A semi-soft boule that works for pointing and shooting alike |
| Shooter | Chart size plus 1 mm | Fairly light | Smooth or lightly grooved | A fluid release, with no unwanted wrist twist, and less fatigue |
This table sets out Jean-François’s advice, supplemented by Obut’s guide for the shooter’s weight. If you want to specialise in shooting, our guide to precision shooting in petanque details the official event, with tips to help you improve. A player who plays both roles, in singles or doubles, is better off sticking with an all-round boule than with a very specialised set.
In fact, many players tell Jean-François that they keep several sets, in different diameters and weights, to suit the terrain and the position they are playing that day.
Stainless steel, carbon or bronze: which metal should you choose?
The metal of a petanque boule changes how it feels and how much maintenance it needs, Jean-François explains: smooth stainless steel does not rust and slides easily out of the hand; carbon sticks to the hand more but needs oiling; bronze absorbs the impact very well but wears quickly on hard terrain. For a first set, Jean-François prefers stainless steel.
| Metal | Feel | Maintenance | Weak point | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | Smooth satin finish, fluid release | A wash with soap from time to time | Can slip from the hand in damp weather | Beginners, players who want low maintenance |
| Carbon | Black varnish that soon wears off, then a matt surface that sticks to the hand | An oiled cloth and dry storage | Rusts if left damp, risk of holding on too long | Players who like to feel the boule stick to their hand |
| Bronze | Pleasant, absorbs the impact very well | Does not rust | Wears quickly on hard, stony or tarmac terrain | Mainly boule lyonnaise, rare in petanque |
Holding on too long means keeping the boule in your fingers longer than you should: it lands short or goes off line. Jean-François sees three causes: too much stickiness, a hand that squeezes too hard or an unsuitable diameter. That is why it pays to measure your hand carefully before choosing a very sticky carbon boule.
As for budget, a carbon model generally costs less than the same model in stainless steel. The trade-off is that carbon needs proper care: wipe it after every game and store it somewhere dry.
Soft or hard: which hardness should you choose?
The hardness of a petanque boule determines its bounce: the harder the boule, the more it bounces, Jean-François reminds us. A soft boule absorbs the impact and suits hard terrains, a semi-soft one works on any terrain, and a hard one holds better on gravelly or sandy terrains.
| Hardness | Indicative value | Bounce | Recommended terrain | Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very soft | About 110 kg/mm² | Very low | Hard | Shooters, pointers who play very high lobs |
| Soft | About 115 kg/mm² | Minimal | Hard | Players who want the boule to absorb the impact |
| Semi-soft | 120 to 125 kg/mm² | Medium | All terrains | Beginners, middle players, all-round play |
| Hard | 140 kg/mm² and above | Pronounced | Gravelly or sandy | Players on loose terrains |
The values in this table are the ones Jean-François gives in our programme. The FIPJP specifications set a minimum hardness of 35 HRC, or about 110 kg/mm²: very soft boules are therefore at the lower limit allowed.
A soft boule gets marked by knocks more quickly and wears faster on abrasive terrains: that is the price of absorbing the impact so well. Semi-soft remains the best compromise for a first set, and it is the hardness Jean-François chooses for beginners.
Grooved or smooth boule: which should you choose?
A grooved petanque boule grips the ground better, helps you put spin on it and stops more easily on a fast terrain, Jean-François explains: it suits pointers first and foremost. A smooth boule leaves the fingers more cleanly, which is what many shooters look for.
Grooves are often dismissed as mere decoration – wrongly, in Jean-François’s view. They also have a very practical advantage: you can recognise your set at a glance among the other players’ boules.
For beginners, Jean-François recommends a boule with a single groove, for a little extra grip on fast terrain. You can always move on to a boule with more grooves if you specialise in pointing.
Which boules for a beginner, a woman or a child?
Beginners, women and children choose their petanque boules with the same method as any player: the hand gives the diameter, the position guides the weight. Only the starting points change: an all-round set for beginners, often a slightly lighter weight for a smaller hand, and smaller boules for the youngest players.
Which boule for a beginner?
To get off to a good start, Jean-François recommends an all-round set with the following features, both in our programme and in our video “Which petanque boules to choose” (in French):
- a diameter of 73 mm;
- a weight of 700 g, giving a density of 3.44;
- stainless steel, with no worries about rust;
- a semi-soft hardness, which works on any terrain;
- one groove, for grip on fast terrain.
This set is a baseline: if the size chart points you to another size, keep the rest of the advice and adjust the diameter, along with the weight needed to keep the same density. Choose an approved set if you plan to become a licensed club player and, once you are kitted out, our tips for improving your petanque will help you get the most out of it.
Which boule for a woman?
There is no such thing as a boule for women only: a woman chooses her set in the same way as a man, based on her hand and her position. A smaller hand simply leads to a smaller diameter in the chart, and often to a slightly lighter weight: Obut’s guide puts the most common weights for women at 680 to 700 g.
Which boule for a child?
The rules make a special case for young players aged 11 or under in the year: in competitions reserved for them, they may play with 600 g, 65 mm boules, provided they come from an approved manufacturer. For family games, shops also sell lighter leisure sets, designed for small hands.
Apart from this exception in the rules, a young player uses standard approved boules: measure their hand as you would an adult’s and start at the top of the size chart, where the smaller sizes are.
Which brands should you choose, and where should you buy your boules?
Approved petanque boules come from manufacturers such as Obut, La Boule Bleue, MS Pétanque, Boulenciel, Toro Petank and KTK, and no single brand is best for every player. Buy your set where you can hold it in your hand, and only order online in a size you have already tried.
- Specialist shops, in store or online, offer the widest choice of diameters, weights and hardnesses, with advice and often the option of having your initials engraved.
- Large sports retailers, such as Decathlon or Intersport, sell leisure boules and entry-level approved boules.
- The club is still the best place to try boules out: your clubmates will happily lend you their sets for a few ends.
- Buying second-hand saves money, as long as you check that the trademark, the weight and the serial number are still legible, and that the boules are not too worn.
On an approved boule, the engraved trademark is also its mark of approval, as Jean-François points out. Once you have settled on the diameter, weight, metal and hardness, the brand becomes a matter of feel and trust. To complete your kit, our guide to Shilton petanque clothing compares the polo shirts, the sizes and what the rules allow in competition.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best boules for playing petanque?
The best petanque boules are the ones that suit your hand and your position, not necessarily the most expensive ones or a champion’s. For a first set, the all-round model that Jean-François recommends, 73 mm and 700 g in semi-soft stainless steel, is still a safe bet.
How do you choose the size of your Obut petanque boules?
You choose an Obut boule like any other: measure your hand, then refer to the size chart in this article. On its website, the manufacturer also offers an Obut questionnaire to help you choose your boule (in French), which takes your hand, your position and the terrain into account.
Which boules does Dylan Rocher play with?
In our video “Which petanque boules to choose” (in French), published in 2022, Jean-François explains that Dylan Rocher has played with 74 mm boules since 2018, having previously played with 73 mm, in search of a better feel. When Jean-François met him at a European club championship, the champion told him he had found it. His example shows that a top player adjusts his diameter to how the boule feels; the model and weight of his boules may have changed since.
Your set of boules, the first step in improving your game
When choosing petanque boules, measure your hand, start from the size chart, adjust for your position, then let feel have the final say after a few trial games. A well-chosen set is not everything: how you hold and release the boule matters just as much as the boule itself. That next step is what our training programme offers you, from the grip to pointing and shooting, at your own pace, whatever your level. We look forward to seeing you again for more of our wonderful game!
This programme is not sports instruction within the meaning of the French Sports Code. It is informal educational support, designed to enrich your personal practice of petanque, with no individual supervision and no qualification awarded.
