Kettlebell Size Chart: Weights, Dimensions, Handles and Colors
For anyone choosing a first kettlebell, building a set, or wondering why a 32 kg competition bell is the same size as an 8 kg one. Weights in kg and lb, physical dimensions, handle diameter and width, the standard color code and starting weights.
Kettlebells are sold in kilograms, usually in 4 kg steps from 4 to 48 kg (with 2 kg in-between sizes), or in pounds from 5 to about 100 lb. A cast iron bell grows with weight: a 16 kg bell is about 23.5 cm (9.3 in) tall and 20 cm (7.9 in) wide, and a 32 kg bell about 29.5 × 23 cm (11.6 × 9.1 in). Competition kettlebells are the same size at every weight, about 280 mm (11 in) tall and 210 mm (8.3 in) wide.
- Common weights
- 8, 12, 16, 24, 32 kg
- 16 kg cast iron
- 23.5 × 20 cm
- Competition bell
- 280 × 210 mm
- Handle diameter
- 30-40 mm
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Kettlebell weights in kg and lb
Kettlebells originated in Russia, where the traditional unit was the pood (about 16 kg). That is why the core sizes are 16, 24 and 32 kg (1, 1.5 and 2 pood), and why most serious bells are still sold in kilograms. US brands that sell in pounds often label kilogram bells with rounded pound figures.
| Kilograms | Exact pounds | Usually labeled | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kg | 8.82 lb | 9 lb | Rehab, shoulder warm-ups, children |
| 6 kg | 13.23 lb | 13 lb | Women's presses and get-ups (starting) |
| 8 kg | 17.64 lb | 18 lb | Women's swings (starting) |
| 12 kg | 26.46 lb | 26 lb | Men's presses (starting); women's swings |
| 16 kg | 35.27 lb | 35 lb | Men's swings (starting); the most sold size |
| 20 kg | 44.09 lb | 44 lb | Intermediate |
| 24 kg | 52.91 lb | 53 lb | Men's standard for many strength tests |
| 28 kg | 61.73 lb | 62 lb | Intermediate to advanced |
| 32 kg | 70.55 lb | 70 lb | Advanced; men's competition weight |
| 40 kg | 88.18 lb | 88 lb | Advanced |
| 48 kg | 105.82 lb | 106 lb | "Beast" tier |
Odd sizes (10, 14, 18, 22, 26 kg and so on) exist to close the 4 kg jumps, which are big: going from 16 to 20 kg is a 25% increase. Pound-native bells (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 lb and up) are common in general-purpose gyms and do not match kilo sizes.
Cast iron kettlebell dimensions
A cast iron bell gets bigger as it gets heavier, so the handle height and the space between the handle and the ball (the window) change from one weight to the next. Exact sizes vary by foundry; Mirafit's published figures are a representative example:
| Weight | Height | Width | Handle diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 kg (18 lb) | 20 cm (7.9 in) | 17.5 cm (6.9 in) | 33 mm (1.30 in) |
| 12 kg (26 lb) | 22 cm (8.7 in) | 19 cm (7.5 in) | 34 mm (1.34 in) |
| 16 kg (35 lb) | 23.5 cm (9.3 in) | 20 cm (7.9 in) | 35 mm (1.38 in) |
| 24 kg (53 lb) | 26.5 cm (10.4 in) | 21 cm (8.3 in) | 37 mm (1.46 in) |
| 32 kg (70 lb) | 29.5 cm (11.6 in) | 23 cm (9.1 in) | 38 mm (1.50 in) |
Other brands land within a centimeter or two of these figures. Light bells vary most: some 4 and 6 kg bells have a full-size handle on a small ball, others shrink everything.
Competition kettlebell dimensions
Competition (sport) kettlebells are steel shells with a hollow core. Lighter bells have more empty space inside, so every weight can share one outer size. Lifters get the same handle position on the forearm and the same rack position whatever the load, which matters in timed sets of jerks and snatches.
XMARK, for example, specifies 210 mm width, 280 mm height and a 35 mm handle for every weight; Rogue lists 282 × 208 mm with a 33 mm handle. Some brands make 4 to 8 kg sport bells slightly smaller, with a 34 mm handle (Bells of Steel). The thin, smooth handle is meant for one hand; a competition handle is too narrow for a comfortable two-handed swing grip for many lifters.
Kettlebell handle diameter and width
The handle has two dimensions that matter: its thickness, which decides grip comfort and how fast the forearms tire, and its inside width, which decides whether two hands fit.
| Weight | Handle diameter | Handle width | Two-handed grip? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-8 kg | 1.19 in (30 mm) | 5.67-6.42 in (144-163 mm) | Tight |
| 12 kg | 1.40 in (36 mm) | 7.52 in (191 mm) | Yes |
| 16-40 kg | 1.50 in (38 mm) | 7.8 in (198 mm) | Yes |
| 44-48 kg | 1.57 in (40 mm) | 9.06 in (230 mm) | Yes, wide |
A 38 mm handle is noticeably thicker than the 33 to 35 mm of a sport bell. Lifters with small hands often find high-rep snatches easier on a competition handle and two-handed swings easier on a cast iron one.
Kettlebell color code
Competition kettlebells are color coded so judges can read the weight from a distance. Most sport-bell brands use this sequence:
| Weight | Color | Weight | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 kg | Pink | 28 kg | Orange |
| 12 kg | Blue | 32 kg | Red |
| 16 kg | Yellow | 36 kg | Gray |
| 20 kg | Purple | 40 kg | White |
| 24 kg | Green | 44 kg / 48 kg | Silver / gold |
In-between sizes (10, 14, 18 kg and so on) typically use the color of the weight 2 kg below with a stripe or band. Not every brand follows the scheme: Rogue's 20 kg bell is dark gray, and cast iron bells are usually black with only a colored band or none.
Choosing a kettlebell size
- Start with the swing weight. Two-handed swings are driven by the hips and allow a heavier bell than any other lift: 16 kg for most untrained men and 8 to 12 kg for most untrained women.
- Go one size lighter for presses and get-ups. Overhead work loads the shoulder through a long range. 12 kg (men) and 6 to 8 kg (women) are common first pressing bells.
- Build in 4 kg steps. A three-bell home set of 12, 16 and 24 kg (men) or 8, 12 and 16 kg (women) covers several years of training.
- Check the handle. If you will swing with two hands, the inside width should be at least about 7 in (178 mm) for adult hands; many 4 to 8 kg bells are narrower.
A rack of five bells takes very little room: kettlebells stand on a flat base and a 16 kg bell needs only about 8 × 8 in (20 × 20 cm) of shelf. For swings, keep a clear zone of about 6 × 6 ft (1.8 × 1.8 m) and nothing fragile in front of you. For other free weights, compare dumbbell sizes and medicine ball sizes; for equipment layouts, see the home gym size guide.
Frequently asked questions
What size kettlebell should a beginner use?
The traditional starting points are 16 kg (35 lb) for an average untrained man and 8 kg (18 lb) for an average untrained woman, for two-handed swings and goblet squats. Presses and Turkish get-ups usually need one size lighter, 12 kg or 6 kg. A 12 stone (76 kg, 168 lb) man fits the 16 kg recommendation.
Is a 32 kg cast iron kettlebell the same size as a 32 kg competition kettlebell?
Close, but not identical. A 32 kg cast iron bell is about 29.5 cm (11.6 in) tall and 23 cm (9.1 in) wide with a 38 mm handle; a competition bell is about 28 cm tall and 21 cm wide with a 33 to 35 mm handle. The difference is bigger at light weights: an 8 kg cast iron bell is only about 20 cm tall.
How big is a 4 kg kettlebell?
A 4 kg (9 lb) cast iron kettlebell is about 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7.1 in) tall and 12 to 14 cm (4.7 to 5.5 in) wide, with a handle about 30 mm (1.2 in) thick. Rogue lists a 30 mm handle and a handle width of 5.67 in (144 mm) for its 4 kg bell.
How tall is a 24 kg kettlebell?
A cast iron 24 kg (53 lb) kettlebell is about 26 to 27 cm (10.2 to 10.6 in) tall and about 21 cm (8.3 in) wide. A 24 kg competition kettlebell is about 28 cm (11 in) tall and 21 cm wide, the same as every other weight.
What are the kettlebell colors by weight?
On competition kettlebells: 8 kg pink, 12 kg blue, 16 kg yellow, 20 kg purple, 24 kg green, 28 kg orange, 32 kg red, 36 kg gray, 40 kg white, 44 kg silver and 48 kg gold. Brands vary; Rogue, for example, uses dark gray for 20 kg.
What is the handle diameter of a kettlebell?
Competition handles are 33 to 35 mm (1.3 to 1.4 in) at every weight. Cast iron handles get thicker with weight: about 30 mm on 4 to 8 kg bells, 35 to 36 mm at 12 kg, 38 mm (1.5 in) from 16 to 40 kg and 40 mm at 44 to 48 kg on Rogue's bells.