Short answer: The number is the width of the backboard in inches. 54 inch = 137 cm, 60 inch = 152 cm, 72 inch = 183 cm. A 72-inch board is almost exactly the size of the board in a sports hall (FIBA: 180 × 105 cm), so it gives the most realistic bank shots and rebounds. 54 inch is plenty for kids and casual shooting on a driveway; 60 inch is the middle ground most families pick.
Inches to centimetres
Basketball hoops are made by American brands, so sizes are given in inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm).
| Name | Width | Typical height | Compared with a hall board (180 × 105 cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 inch | 127 cm | about 84 cm | 70 % of the width |
| 54 inch | 137 cm | 84–97 cm | 76 % |
| 60 inch | 152 cm | 91–97 cm | 84 % |
| 72 inch | 183 cm | 102–107 cm | 102 %: hall size |
The height of the board differs by model even when the width is the same. A taller board gives more room above the rim for bank shots off the top of the glass.
What changes when the board gets bigger
- More target for bank shots. Layups and shots off the glass have a bigger area to hit, like in a hall.
- Truer rebounds. A missed shot bounces off a wider board at the angles players know from training.
- A thicker pole and more overhang. A big glass board is heavy, so the brands put it on a stronger pole and further away from it. On Goalrilla that is 12.7 × 12.7 cm pole and 76–91 cm overhang on 54-inch models, up to 15.2 × 20.3 cm and 122 cm on the 72-inch models.
- More space needed. A 183 cm board over a narrow, short driveway looks and plays oversized. Make sure players can run and land in front of and beside the basket.
- Higher price and bigger delivery. Board size is the biggest driver of weight, freight and price.
Which size for whom
| Who plays | Our suggestion | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kids up to about 12, first hoop | 50–54 inch | Light, cheaper, enough target at 2.30–2.60 m |
| Family with kids and teens | 54–60 inch glass | Real glass rebound, grows with them to 3.05 m |
| Teens and adults in a club | 60–72 inch glass | Bank shots and rebounds like training |
| Players who want the hall feeling at home | 72 inch | Same width as a FIBA board |
Every board in our range, side by side
Widths and heights converted from the brands' inch figures, rounded to whole centimetres. Prices: our shop on 2 Nov 2026.
50–54 inch (127–137 cm)
| Model | Board | Material | Pole | Overhang | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goaliath GB50 | 127 × 84 cm | Tempered glass, 8 mm | 10 × 10 cm | about 49 cm | €1,049 |
| Goaliath GoTek 54 In-Ground | 137 × 84 cm | Polycarbonate, 4 mm | 8.9 cm round | 62–73 cm | €699 |
| Goaliath GoTek 54 Wall Mount | 137 × 84 cm | Polycarbonate, 4 mm | wall | 66–81 cm | €599 |
| Goaliath GB54 | 137 × 84 cm | Tempered glass, 8 mm | 10 × 10 cm | — | €1,149 |
| Goalrilla GS54c | 137 × 86 cm | Tempered glass | 12.7 × 12.7 cm | 76 cm | €1,629 |
| Goalrilla FT54 | 137 × 91 cm | Tempered glass | 12.7 × 12.7 cm | 91 cm | €2,049 |
| Goalrilla CV54 | 137 × 97 cm | Tempered glass | 12.7 × 12.7 cm | 91 cm | €2,199 |
60 inch (152 cm)
| Model | Board | Material | Pole | Overhang | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goaliath GB60 | 152 × 84 cm | Tempered glass | 10 × 10 cm | — | €1,249 |
| Goalrilla GS60c | 152 × 91 cm | Tempered glass | 12.7 × 12.7 cm | 76 cm | €1,999 |
| Goalrilla FT60 | 152 × 97 cm | Tempered glass | 12.7 × 12.7 cm | 107 cm | €2,299 |
| Goalrilla CV60 | 152 × 97 cm | Tempered glass | 15.2 × 15.2 cm | 91 cm | €2,499 |
72 inch (183 cm)
| Model | Board | Material | Pole | Overhang | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalrilla GS72c | 183 × 102 cm | Tempered glass | 15.2 × 15.2 cm | 91 cm | €2,299 |
| Goalrilla FT72 | 183 × 107 cm | Tempered glass | 15.2 × 15.2 cm | 122 cm | €2,599 |
| Goalrilla CV72 | 183 × 107 cm | Tempered glass | 15.2 × 20.3 cm | 122 cm | €2,899 |
| Goalrilla DC72E1 | 183 × 107 cm | Tempered glass | 15.2 × 20.3 cm | 122 cm | €3,549 |
All models adjust from 2.30 m to the official 3.05 m and have a breakaway (spring) rim.
GS, FT, CV, DC: what the Goalrilla letters mean
Within one board size, the Goalrilla series differ mainly in pole, overhang and what comes in the box:
- GS (GS54c, GS60c, GS72c): the entry to Goalrilla glass. Anchor kit and rim included; pole pad and backboard pad are extras.
- FT (FT54, FT60, FT72): more overhang than GS at the same board size; heavy-weight rim.
- CV (CV54, CV60, CV72): anchor kit, pole pad and backboard padding included; the CV72 sits on the big 15.2 × 20.3 cm pole.
- DC72E1: the flagship. The board is connected straight to the pole (Goalrilla's direct-connect mounting) for the stiffest feel, on a 15.2 × 20.3 cm pole with pole pad and backboard padding included.
FAQ
How big is a 54-inch backboard in cm? 137 cm wide. The height depends on the model: 84 cm (Goaliath GoTek 54), 86 cm (Goalrilla GS54c), 91 cm (FT54) or 97 cm (CV54).
How big is a 60-inch backboard in cm? 152 cm wide; 91–97 cm high on Goalrilla models.
How big is a 72-inch backboard in cm? 183 cm wide and 102–107 cm high, practically the size of an official FIBA board (180 × 105 cm).
Is a bigger backboard better? For realistic play, yes: more area for bank shots and truer rebounds. But it needs a stronger pole, more space and a bigger budget. For young kids a 54-inch board is enough.
What is overhang and why does it matter? The distance from the front of the pole to the face of the board. More overhang means players can drive to the basket without running into the pole. In our range it goes from about 49 cm to 122 cm.
Related guides: In-ground, portable or wall-mounted? · Glass, acrylic or polycarbonate?
New to hoops? Start with our guide to a basketball hoop for home, or browse all basketball hoops.
Read next: basketball hoop height.