When parents are in the market for a backyard trampoline, most are uncertain what size trampoline will be ideally suited to their requirements.
In this thorough backyard trampoline sizes guide, I will look at all of the factors to think about when selecting a trampoline size that will best fit your needs.
Ultimately it depends on who is going to be using the trampoline and how they are going to use it.
Trampoline Sizes Guide – what to consider
When deciding what size trampoline to get, there are many considerations.
These include:
- Safety: A larger trampoline size can potentially be unsafe for younger children.
- Weight limit: A smaller trampoline may not support the weight of a heavier individual.
- Available space: You have to get a trampoline that satisfied the requirements you set, and that will fit into the area you have available.
- The bounce: A bigger trampoline will have a higher bounce. If you want something you’ll learn how to do somersaults, you’ll need a higher bounce.
- Cost: You’ll pay more for larger trampolines.
Typical trampoline sizes
Trampolines come in a variety of sizes.
They can range from 3ft to 24ft and beyond.
In addition to the size, you need to also consider the shape of the trampoline.
A round 12 ft trampoline will not give you as much surface area as a rectangular 12ft trampoline.
The most common size for a backyard trampoline
In the most cases, families who buy a trampoline for the backyard look at sizes that are between 8 feet and 15 feet.
Anything outside of that range you don’t see as much.
Trampolines in this size range are great for use outdoors and in a backyard.
They are an excellent addition to a garden space for fun and exercise!
Average backyard trampoline size
In terms of average size, you’re looking at a 12 ft trampoline.
This is the most popular size for backyard trampolines.
Trampoline Sizes Guide – Full, medium, and half sizes
A full-size trampoline is typically considered an Olympic size.
As per the FIG (Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique), the official trampoline size for gymnastics is 5 m x 3 m x 1.15m.
In inches, that’s 16.5682 ft x 9.54724 ft x 3.78937 ft.
Most manufactures make gymnastics trampolines that are 17 ft x 10 ft.
A back yard trampoline is considered full size anything between 10 ft and 15 ft.
The largest back yard trampoline for sale is 16 ft x 24ft!
Medium-sized trampolines
Trampolines that are between 8 feet and 10 feet are known as medium trampolines.
Medium trampolines are perfect for a smaller backyard.
Half-size trampolines
Trampolines that are smaller than 8ft are considered half-size trampolines.
Half-size trampolines are usually outdoor trampolines for smaller children.
Mini, indoor trampolines
Another small trampoline category is the mini trampoline.
Most commonly mini trampolines are between 3ft and 5ft and are used either inside the house for adult fitness or children to jump on.
Age and trampoline sizes guide
Deciding what trampoline size to get for your kid can be a tough call.
Parents don’t want a trampoline that your child will quickly outgrow, but also don’t want a trampoline so big or high that is unsafe for a small child.
For kids under six, getting them a trampoline that is a full-size trampoline probably isn’t recommended. If the kid is jumping on a full-size trampoline, you must supervise at all times.
Furthermore, they should have safety features like, pads and a net.
Toddler size trampolines
Toddlers generally do best on small, indoor trampolines that have a handle for balance.
These sizes typically vary from 3 ft and 4 ft.
Trampoline sizes for younger children
Trampolines recommended for kids who are between ages of three and five need to be between the measurement of 3 ft and 8 ft.
Trampoline sizes for older children
Trampolines that are intended for school-aged children may be larger.
Once a child reaches the age of six, they can safely use a 10 ft.
From age 10 years old, a 12 ft trampoline is fine to have in your yard.
Teenage trampoline for gymnasts
Once your kid hits the teenage years and is using a trampoline as a sport, you may want to contemplate a bigger trampoline.
Any trampoline between 12 ft and 17 ft will be sufficient for practicing gymnastic moves as long as they are being performed carefully.
A trampoline for the whole family
So, what to do when you have a mixture of children of different ages, and you as a parent would quite like to have a bounce around too.
A smaller family (3-4 people): Consider a smaller model, say 12 ft to 15 ft.
For a larger family, it’s best to go larger, especially if the grown-ups are on the heavier side!
Trampoline Sizes Guide – mats and springs
It’s good to take into consideration both the springs and the mats when thinking about trampoline size.
For example, with a small trampoline (like a 6-footer), the mat will likely be about 4.75 feet.
For a 15-foot trampoline, the mat will likely be about 13.75 feet. As a rule of thumb, the mat will be about a foot and a quarter smaller than the diameter of the trampoline.
In Terms of the Springs – There’s a lot of variation in size and quantity of springs based on the size of the trampoline.
A smaller trampoline can have springs as short as 3.5 inches, and larger trampolines can have up to 10-inch long springs!
Trampoline Sizes Guide – weight capacity
Space and the size of the garden are important factors for people looking to buy a new trampoline.
Max weight is an important factor, especially if an older or heavier user will be using the trampoline.
Be sure that you check the specification for max weight on each trampoline.
In terms of just a guideline, here are the common max weights for maximum user weight for trampoline sizes:
- 8 ft – 200 lbs.
- 10 ft – 250 lbs.
- 12 ft – 300 lbs.
- 14 ft – 350 lbs.
- 15 ft – 400 lbs.
In general, the maximum weight capacity of a trampoline is related to its shape.
A round trampoline won’t hold as much weight as a rectangular one.
Trampoline Sizes Guide – Net Height
The trampoline safety net is certainly very important for many obvious reasons.
Typically, the larger the trampoline, the higher the safety net goes.
Average net heights range from 5 ft to 10 ft.
Trampoline Sizes Guide – how are they measured?
If you already own a trampoline that you need to get a replacement part for then it’s good to have an idea of the size so you can purchase the right replacement part.
To measure your trampoline, you’ll need to use a tape measure.
As a Rule – Always measure twice, just to make sure you measured correctly! Measuring a round trampoline can be difficult, make sure your tape measure passes over the center.
Don’t forget to accurately measure the part required – the frame measurement is different than the mat measurement.
Conclusion on backyard trampoline sizes guide
Trampolines are large, pricey, and require work to put together.
So, it’s imperative to know, exactly, what trampoline size to buy for your backyard space.
As we saw in this post, there are a number of things to consider: space available, age of person(s) using it, height of netting, and weight capacity.
Once you actually know the size of the trampoline that you need, it becomes much easier to narrow down to which of the many trampolines you can buy.