Freestyle scooter size by height: chart, measurements, and when to change the handlebars

⚡ In short: the right size = handlebars between the navel and waist when the child is standing on the deck.

A freestyle scooter cannot be adjusted in height, so it is chosen based on the rider’s height, not age. A child who is 110–120 cm tall should use a scooter with an overall height of 72–75 cm, a child who is 140–150 cm tall 80–84 cm, and a rider who is 160–170 cm tall 88–94 cm. The entire table is below.

If your child is between two sizes, choose the larger one. Once they outgrow the scooter, you only need to replace the handlebars, not the whole scooter.

📏 What size freestyle scooter should I choose based on the rider’s height?

Find your child’s height in the left column, and the total height of the scooter you’re looking for in the right column. The overall height is measured from the ground to the top edge of the handlebars and can be found in the specifications for every set in our range.

The table is based on the rule “handlebars between the navel and the waist” and corresponds to what what most brands use. It’s a general guideline, not a hard-and-fast rule: street riders tend to prefer a taller scooter, while park riders prefer a lower one (more on that below).

Why height and not age? Two ten-year-old children can be 130 cm and 150 cm tall, and each needs a different scooter. Age only gives you an idea of what a child can handle on a scooter; we discuss this in the article What age is a freestyle scooter suitable for?.

🔍 Overall scooter height vs. Handlebar height: what’s the difference?

This is the most common source of confusion. With freestyle scooters, you'll come across two numbers that look similar but mean different things:

• Overall scooter height (e.g. 80 cm) is the distance from the ground to the top edge of the handlebars on a complete, assembled scooter. Here we list all complete freestyle scooters, and you choose based on that. The table above is currently at the total height.
• Handlebar height (e.g. 58 cm) is the dimension of the part itself: from the lower end of the tube that slides into the socket to the top edge. It is listed only for standalone handlebars, and you’ll need it when replacing the handlebars or building a scooter from parts.

The difference between the two numbers is the height of the remaining scooter components: the wheel, fork (the part that holds the front wheel), and clamp (the clamp that secures the handlebars to the fork). With the set of 110 mm wheels, it comes to about 20–25 cm.

🧹 How to measure the correct scooter height at home without a scooter?

All you need is a meter stick, a step or a thick book, and a broom handle. The measurement takes two minutes and directly gives you the number you’re looking for in the table.

1. Put the child in the shoes they will be riding in. Barefoot, she is 2–3 cm shorter, so the result will be small.
2. Place it on a step or a book about 5 cm high. This is how far the scooter deck is raised above the ground. The child stands upright, feet slightly apart, as if on a board.
3. Find your navel and waist. The waist is the narrowest part of the torso, where the ribs end; in children, it is usually 3–5 cm above the navel.
4. Hold the handle horizontally between your navel and waist. The child places their hands on it, with their elbows slightly bent. Shoulders raised = too high; slouching = too low.
5. Measure the distance from the base to the floor on which the step stands (not from the step!). This is the scooter’s total height when assembled.

Example: A child who is 118 cm tall, wearing shoes, stands on a 5 cm book; the handle is 74 cm above the floor, between the navel and the waist. Are you looking for a scooter with an overall height of around 74 cm? See the 72–75 cm row in the table.

If the measurement doesn’t match the row for the child’s height (long legs, short torso), trust the measurement. A scooter is chosen based on where the child’s hands are, not their overall height.

🌱 What to do when your child is between two sizes?

Take the higher one. There are three reasons:

• The child is growing. Between the ages of 6 and 12, children grow by about 5–6 cm a year, so they’ll outgrow a smaller size in just a few months.
• Higher handlebars are easier for a beginner to control. The child stands more upright, puts less strain on their back, and maintains their balance more confidently while riding and making their first jumps.
• The handlebars can be shortened, but not lengthened. If it turns out they are 2 cm taller than would be comfortable for the child, they can be cut off. It doesn’t work the other way around.

This is doubly true of a Christmas gift: people don’t ride much during the winter, and by spring the child is 2–3 cm taller. One size up is fine, two is not. With the handlebars above waist height, it's hard to jump, and the scooter ends up in the garage.

For completeness: some brands advise choosing the smaller size if you’re unsure, because a lower scooter is more maneuverable for tricks. This applies to a child who can already jump. For a beginner and a growing child, we keep it “higher.”

🔧 Your child has outgrown the scooter. When and how to replace handlebars?

Replace the handlebars when they reach below the navel of a child standing on the deck, or when the child complains that they have to hunch over. Measure the figure approximately every six months.

You don't need to buy a new scooter because of the height. The deck, fork, wheels, and brake remain the same; only the handlebars change, and possibly the grips (rubber handles). It’s a 15-minute job with Allen keys. With new handlebars, keep an eye on three things:

• Handlebar height. Calculate it using the tip in the Two Heights section: total target height minus the distance from the ground to the clamp.
• Width. The handlebars should be approximately 2–5 cm wider than the child’s shoulders. Wider handlebars provide stability, while narrower ones turn faster.
• Compression compatibility. The handlebars must have the correct diameters (standard 32/28 mm, oversized 35/32 mm) and a slit compatible with the compression system (SCS, HIC, IHC). Mismatched handlebars won’t fit, or they’ll crack. We explain it in our guide How to choose handlebars.

🏞️ Park or street: does it change the size?

Not for a beginner; the table applies. The difference comes only with riders who know what they want to ride:

• Park (skatepark, ramps, aerial tricks): preferably lower handlebars, toward the lower end of the range. A lower scooter is easier to spin during whips (rotating the deck around the handlebars) and is easier to control in the air.
• Street (street riding, stairs, railings, grinds): preferably higher handlebars, near the upper end of the range. They provide stability on impact and help prevent back hunching.

If the child does not ride either one yet, choose according to the table. The style will become apparent in a year or two and can be fine-tuned by replacing the handlebars.

👧 Three examples: ages 6, 10, and 14

To be on the safe side, take measurements at home for each one. You can find the prices and what you get for them in the guide How to choose a freestyle scooter for a child or beginner.

⚠️ Most common mistakes when choosing a size

• Confusing handlebar height with overall height. A parent searches for “80 cm handlebars,” but 80 cm is the scooter’s overall height. The handlebars themselves for the child measure around 58 cm.
• Age selection on the box. “From age 8” tells you nothing about whether the handlebars reach a child’s waist or thighs.
• Measuring a barefoot child on the floor. The board is missing 5 cm and the shoes 2–3 cm; the scooter will be one size smaller.
• Two sizes to grow into. Handlebars above the waist = poor jump training, falls, and a reluctance to ride.
• A new scooter instead of new handlebars. As your child grows, you only need to replace the handlebars, not the entire set.

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