Kitesurfing: kite size calculator

Kite Size Calculator:
a working range, not just one number

Enter your weight and the wind you ride in, and get a kite size with a working range around it

Value in knots. 1 knot = 1.85 km/h (about 1.15 mph). Ideal kitesurfing wind: 12–25 knots.

What to buy around this size

One size is never a quiver. These are the decisions that follow the number — and the one kit item that matters more than any of them.

  • The kite itself, and the second size after itFive knots of extra wind is worth roughly 2 m², so one kite only ever covers part of your local wind range. A second size is the normal next purchase — months later, not on the same day.
  • A wetsuit for the water you actually ride inKiting keeps you out of the water and in the wind, so the same water temperature feels a band colder than it does surfing. This is where most people under-buy.
  • Lessons before hardware, if you are still learningKite size is the easy decision. A school puts you on the right size for the day without you owning it, and rigging with someone watching is the part that keeps you safe.

We don't publish prices here: nothing on this site keeps them fresh, and a stale price is worse than none. Check the figure on the product page before you order.

Reference table: size by wind and weight

Wind (knots)Wind (km/h)60 kg75 kg90 kg
10–1218–2211–13 m²14–17 m²17–20 m²
12–1522–289–11 m²11–14 m²13–17 m²
15–2028–377–9 m²8–11 m²10–13 m²
20–2537–465–7 m²7–8 m²8–10 m²
25–3046–565 m²6–7 m²7–8 m²
30+56+5 m²5–6 m²6–7 m²

These figures are for an intermediate level. Beginners should go one size up, experts one size down, depending on style.

How to choose your kite size

A kite's size (measured in m²) determines how much power it generates. The larger the surface area, the harder it pulls: great in light wind, dangerous in strong wind. Two main factors guide the choice: your weight and the wind strength.

The basic rule

For a 75 kg beginner in 15 knots of wind, a kite of around 12 m² is generally a good fit. Every extra 10 kg of bodyweight needs roughly 1–2 m² more. Every extra 5 knots of wind lets you drop about 2 m².

Level and riding style

Beginners are better off with a slightly larger kite, giving more power in reserve for lighter wind. Experts often prefer smaller kites for sharper feel and less physical effort.

Knots, km/h or Beaufort?

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