32mm vs 34mm Fingerboard: Which Size Is Right for You?
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32mm vs 34mm Fingerboard: Which Size Is Right for You?
If you're about to buy your first fingerboard — or your tenth — the width question is one you shouldn't guess at. The difference between 32mm and 34mm might look small on paper. Under your fingers on a moving board, it's anything but.
I've made thousands of both widths. I know who rides each one and why. Let me give you the definitive answer on the 32mm vs 34mm fingerboard question so you buy right the first time.
How to Measure Your Hand for a Fingerboard
Before choosing a width, get a real reference point. Fingerboard sizing isn't as standardised as it should be, but your hand size gives you a consistent starting point.
Measure across your middle three fingers — index, middle, ring — at the widest point, with your fingers touching but not splayed. Use a ruler or tape measure.
- Under 35mm across three fingers: 32mm width is a strong candidate
- 35–38mm: either width can work; comes down to personal preference and riding style
- Over 38mm: 34mm will feel more natural and give you more surface to work with
This is a starting point, not a rule. Some riders with larger hands prefer 32mm for the nimble feel. Some with smaller hands prefer 34mm for the planted stability. But if you have no reference at all, start here.
What 32mm Feels Like to Ride
The 32mm board is narrower, which means a few things in practice:
It's more responsive to small movements. Flip tricks feel snappier. The board is lighter, which affects how it moves through the air. Some riders describe it as more "lively" — which is a positive for those who like that and a challenge for those who want more stability.
If you're doing primarily flip tricks — kickflips, heelflips, tre flips, harder flip variations — the 32mm is where most of the global fingerboarding community lands. It's the international standard width, popular in the US, Europe, and across most collector communities.
It's worth noting that for desk riding and artistic fingerboarding — where aesthetics matter as much as function — 32mm boards are also the dominant choice. The proportions look right at that scale.
What 34mm Feels Like to Ride
The 34mm board is wider and more planted. It has more deck surface under your fingers, which gives you more to work with during grinds, manuals, and obstacle tricks.
Grinds in particular feel different on a wider board. The trucks have more clearance. The board locks into obstacles with more confidence. Many riders find that the wider deck makes balance easier to achieve on grinds and manuals — there's simply more board to work with.
In Vietnam, where most of my local customer base rides, 34mm is the dominant preference. The wider board suits the grip-and-control style of riding that's common here. International buyers are a different story — they skew strongly toward 32mm.
If you're new to fingerboarding and have average to larger hands, 34mm will likely feel more intuitive in the early stages. It forgives small positioning errors that a narrower board would punish.
Who Each Width Is Best For
32mm is typically the better choice if:
- You have smaller hands or slimmer fingers
- You prioritise flip tricks over grinds and manuals
- You want the standard global fingerboarding width
- You're an intermediate or advanced rider who wants maximum responsiveness
- You're buying for a younger rider or as a gift for someone with smaller hands
34mm is typically the better choice if:
- You have average to larger hands
- You prioritise stability, grinds, and manuals over flip tricks
- You're a complete beginner who wants more margin for error
- You prefer a planted, confident feel over a snappy, responsive one
- You're based in Southeast Asia, where 34mm is the cultural standard
My Recommendation for Beginners
If you're brand new to fingerboarding and you're not sure which width to pick, I default to this: measure your hand first, then use that to anchor your decision.
For most adult beginners with average-sized hands, I lean toward 34mm. The extra width gives you more board to find your foot position on, and the increased stability is genuinely helpful when you're still developing the muscle memory for basic tricks. You can always move to 32mm later if you find yourself wanting more responsiveness.
For younger beginners, 32mm is almost always the right call. It's sized more proportionally to smaller hands.
The short version: 32mm for most global buyers and flip trick riders, 34mm for beginners and riders who prioritise stability and ground game.
Both Widths, Every Board Handmade
I build both widths to the same standard. Same Canadian maple, same 5-ply construction, same 32-tonne press, same 4,000-grit finish, same 30-minute final inspection. The width choice affects the feel. It doesn't affect the quality.
Browse our complete fingerboard setups in both widths, or contact me directly if you're unsure which is right for you. I'm happy to help you figure it out.
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