Twenty balls on the rack, twelve colours, and a number stamped somewhere on each one. Which one is yours? That choice shapes your night more than any throwing technique. Pick the wrong bowling ball and you spend ten frames fighting the weight instead of the pins. Here is what actually matters.
How Heavy Is a Bowling Ball?
A bowling ball weighs between 6 and 16 pounds, roughly 2.7 to 7.3 kilograms. 16 pounds is the official maximum; anything heavier is not allowed in competition.
What Does the Number on a Bowling Ball Mean?
The number next to the finger holes is the weight in pounds. A 13 on the ball means 13 pounds, roughly 5.9 kilograms. Many venues also colour code their house balls, so you can spot the weight from across the rack. The conversion at a glance:
| Number on the ball (lb) | equals |
| 6 | 2.7 kg |
| 8 | 3.6 kg |
| 10 | 4.5 kg |
| 12 | 5.4 kg |
| 13 | 5.9 kg |
| 14 | 6.4 kg |
| 16 | 7.3 kg |
What Weight Bowling Ball Should You Use?
The rule of thumb: about ten percent of your body weight, capped at 16 pounds. Use this chart as a starting point.
| Body weight | Number on the ball (lb) | equals |
| up to 30 kg (kids) | 6 to 8 | 2.7 to 3.6 kg |
| 30 to 45 kg | 8 to 10 | 3.6 to 4.5 kg |
| 45 to 60 kg | 10 to 11 | 4.5 to 5.0 kg |
| 60 to 75 kg | 11 to 13 | 5.0 to 5.9 kg |
| 75 to 90 kg | 13 to 14 | 5.9 to 6.4 kg |
| over 90 kg | 14 to 16 | 6.4 to 7.3 kg |
The chart is a starting point, not a law. What really decides it is the five second test: hold the ball out in front of you with a straight arm. If your shoulder drops or your arm shakes, it is too heavy. When in doubt, go one or two pounds lighter. A ball you control knocks down more pins than a ball that controls you.
Going too light is no solution either. A ball that is too light gets deflected by the pins instead of driving through them. For comparison, a single pin already weighs around 1.5 to 1.6 kilograms. A very light ball rolls nicely, but it carries too little energy into the pin triangle.
How Many Holes Does a Bowling Ball Have?
A standard house ball has three holes: one for the thumb, one for the middle finger and one for the ring finger. The thumb hole is the largest because the thumb has to slide out first on release.
Custom drilled balls can differ. Some bowlers have only two holes drilled and throw two handed without using the thumb at all, which produces the strongest spin. The drilling is matched to the bowler’s hand span, so someone else’s custom ball rarely fits anyone else.
How many holes can a bowling ball have? The rules of the USBC, the US governing body that competitive bowling follows, allow up to five gripping holes: one per finger and one for the thumb, all for the same hand. Extra holes drilled only to change the ball’s balance are heavily restricted in competition.
How to Hold a Bowling Ball
Which fingers go in a bowling ball? Thumb, middle finger and ring finger; the index and little fingers rest loosely on the surface. When it comes to how to hold a bowling ball, the order matters:
- Thumb all the way into its hole.
- Middle and ring fingers only up to the second knuckle.
- Your free hand carries the weight under the ball, not your throwing arm.
- Keep your wrist straight and firm, never bent backwards.
If the thumb sits too loosely, the ball slips out early. If it is too tight, your hand gets stuck and the throw loses direction and speed. The margin between the two is small, so it is worth trying two or three balls before the game starts.
How Big Is a Bowling Ball?
All balls are the same size regardless of weight: about 21.6 centimetres (8.5 inches) in diameter and around 68.6 centimetres (27 inches) in circumference. That is set internationally so that every lane and ball return can handle every ball.
Which leads to something that surprises most people: a 16 pound ball is not bigger than an 8 pound ball, only denser. All the extra weight sits in the core. That is why the difference feels bigger in your hand than it looks on paper.
Is a Bowling Ball Hollow?
No. A bowling ball is solid and made of two parts: a core inside that sets the weight and the way it rolls, and an outer shell called the coverstock. Lighter balls have a smaller or lighter core, heavier ones a denser core. None of them is hollow, even if the finger holes suggest otherwise.
What Are Bowling Balls Made Of?
Not every ball behaves the same, and the coverstock material is the reason.
| Material | Behaviour | Typical for |
| Polyester (plastic) | Rolls almost straight, barely hooks | House balls at the venue |
| Urethane | Noticeable grip, controlled curve | Intermediate bowlers, drier lanes |
| Reactive resin | Strongest spin, clear hook | League and pro bowlers |
That also explains a common frustration: if your ball barely curves despite the spin you put on it, it is down to the smooth polyester shell of the house ball, not your technique.How Fast Does a Bowling Ball Travel?
Professionals launch the ball at around 17.5 to 21 mph (roughly 28 to 34 km/h) on the front part of the lane and keep that speed remarkably consistent from throw to throw. Casual bowlers are usually slower. Faster is not automatically better: a ball that is too fast has no time to hook and hits the pins too straight.
Your Own Ball or a House Ball?
For a regular night out with friends, a house ball is all you need. It is ready on the rack, costs nothing extra and comes in every common weight.
Your own ball only pays off once you bowl regularly, several times a month. Then it gives you two things: a drilling that fits your hand exactly and a cover material that makes a real hook possible in the first place. If you bowl twice a year, spend the money on more lane time instead.
Bowling Ball vs Skittles Ball
In Germany you will also come across Kegeln, the traditional nine pin game. Its ball is a different thing entirely and has no finger holes; you grip it with your whole hand.
| Bowling ball | Kegeln ball | |
| Diameter | about 21.6 cm | about 16 cm |
| Weight | 2.7 to 7.3 kg | about 2.8 to 2.9 kg |
| Finger holes | usually three | none |
| Played with | 10 pins | 9 pins |
Bowling Balls for Kids
Kids’ balls start at 6 pounds, about 2.7 kilograms. From around the age of six, most children manage the classic throw. For younger kids, modern lanes provide ramps that set the ball rolling without anyone having to carry it, plus bumpers in the gutters so every throw reaches the pins.
Try It Out: Lane7 at Potsdamer Platz
You only find out which ball really suits you on the lane. At Lane7 Berlin the right one is already waiting, from 6 to 16 pounds, on modern lanes right at Potsdamer Platz. Moody lighting, great beats and stylish lanes: this is fun on another level.
Besides bowling, you will find mini golf, darts, beer pong, karaoke and two bars. All under one roof, all bookable.
ENOUGH READING. JUST COME AND PLAY.
Bowling for Groups: Big Bookings at Lane7
Anyone planning an event knows the venue makes or breaks it. At Lane7, no event is too big.
Whether it is a team night for 20, a birthday for 50 or an exclusive venue hire for 300 guests, Lane7 offers tailored packages that go far beyond an ordinary bowling night. Multiple lanes at once, exclusive areas and drinks packages from our bars for your group. No compromise, no stress.
Your big booking at Lane7:
- Exclusive access to several bowling lanes at the same time
- A dedicated contact person for the entire planning
- Customisable drinks packages
- Combine darts, mini golf, karaoke and more
- Flexible bookings for corporate events, birthdays, stag and hen parties and more
READY FOR SOMETHING BIGGER?
FAQ: Bowling Balls
Which bowling ball is right for me?
The one you can hold steady with a straight arm for five seconds and where your thumb and fingers sit cleanly. Start at about ten percent of your body weight, up to 16 pounds, and try two or three balls before the game.
How heavy is a bowling ball?
Between 6 and 16 pounds, roughly 2.7 to 7.3 kilograms. 16 pounds is the official maximum. The weight is engraved on every ball.
What does the number on a bowling ball mean?
It is the weight in pounds. A 13 pound ball weighs about 5.9 kilograms, a 10 pound ball about 4.5 kilograms.
Which fingers go in a bowling ball?
Thumb, middle finger and ring finger. The thumb goes all the way in, the middle and ring fingers only to the second knuckle. Custom drilled balls can differ; some bowlers throw two handed with only two holes and no thumb.
Is a bowling ball hollow?
No. It is solid, with a core and an outer shell. All balls are the same size, about 21.6 centimetres (8.5 inches) across; a heavier ball is just denser because the extra weight sits in the core.
Why does my house ball not hook?
House balls have a polyester cover that barely grips the lane, so they roll almost straight. A visible hook needs a urethane or reactive resin ball, which is what regular league bowlers use.
Can I go bowling at Lane7 in Berlin?
Yes. Lane7 is located right at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin and offers modern bowling lanes in a stylish setting. Balls from 6 to 16 pounds are available. Besides bowling there is mini golf, darts, beer pong, karaoke and two bars. You can book online, including for large groups and corporate events.
