To measure for volleyball knee pads, you need a flexible measuring tape and one measurement: the circumference of your leg above the kneecap. Most brands base their sizing on this single number, and the process takes about 30 seconds once you know where to measure.
Where and How to Measure
Bend your knee slightly, about 20 to 30 degrees, as if you’re in a ready position on the court. Wrap a soft measuring tape around the lower part of your thigh, just above the kneecap. Some brands simply say “above the knee,” while others specify 6 inches above the center of the kneecap for a more precise reading. Either way, keep the tape snug against your skin without pulling it tight enough to compress the muscle. Read the number in inches.
If you don’t have a fabric measuring tape, a piece of string or a shoelace works fine. Wrap it around your leg, mark where it overlaps, then lay it flat against a ruler or hard measuring tape.
Measure your leg without clothing or tights on, since even thin fabric can add enough bulk to push you into the wrong size range. And measure the leg you’ll actually play on. Most people have slightly different circumferences between their left and right legs, so if you wear pads on both knees, measure both and use the larger number.
Typical Size Ranges
Sizing varies between brands, but here’s what the general landscape looks like. Nike groups its volleyball knee pads into three combined sizes: XS/S fits a 14 to 15.5 inch circumference, M/L fits 15.5 to 17 inches, and XL/XXL fits 17 to 18 inches. Other manufacturers break sizes out individually. As one example, brands with separate small through extra-large options often run: Small at 15 to 17 inches, Medium at 17 to 19 inches, Large at 19 to 21 inches, and Extra Large at 21 to 23 inches.
These ranges don’t overlap perfectly across brands, which is why your actual measurement matters more than assuming you’re always a “medium.” A 17-inch circumference puts you at the top of Nike’s M/L but at the bottom of another brand’s medium. Always check the specific size chart for the pad you’re buying.
What to Do Between Sizes
If your measurement falls right on a boundary between two sizes, your choice depends on how you want the pad to feel during play. Sizing down gives a tighter, more secure fit that’s less likely to shift during dives and lateral shuffles. Sizing up gives a looser feel with more freedom of movement but a higher chance the pad rotates or slides during aggressive play. For volleyball specifically, most players prefer the smaller size. A pad that shifts off your kneecap mid-dive defeats the purpose of wearing one.
How a Proper Fit Should Feel
A well-fitted volleyball knee pad feels snug without cutting off circulation. The padding should sit centered over your kneecap and stay there when you shuffle, dive, and move laterally. A useful check is the two-finger test: with your knee slightly bent, you should be able to slide one or two fingers under the top band of the sleeve. If you can’t get a finger in, the pad is too tight. If you can fit your whole hand, it’s too loose.
Signs a pad is too tight include numbness, tingling, or deep pressure behind the knee. You might also notice deep red marks that linger after you take the pads off. On the other end, a pad that’s too loose will slide down your shin during play or rotate so the padding drifts to the side of your knee instead of staying over the front.
Sleeve height also plays into fit. Low-profile pads with shorter sleeves (around 5 to 6 inches of sleeve height) grip less of your leg, so accurate sizing becomes even more important. If you notice a shorter pad rotating during dives, sizing down or switching to a taller sleeve model can solve the problem.
Youth Versus Adult Sizing
Most brands don’t label volleyball knee pads as “youth” or “adult” with a hard cutoff. Instead, the smallest available sizes simply accommodate smaller legs. Nike’s XS/S starts at 14 inches, which fits most younger players. If a junior player measures below 14 inches, look for brands that offer a dedicated youth or junior size, as a too-large pad will bunch behind the knee and slide constantly.
For growing players, it’s tempting to size up so the pads last longer. Resist this. An oversized knee pad won’t protect a knee it isn’t covering, and the constant sliding can actually cause skin irritation during long practices. Buy for the current measurement and plan to replace pads as the player grows.
How Washing Affects Fit Over Time
Volleyball knee pads are typically a blend of cotton and polyester with elastic components that keep the sleeve tight against your leg. Heat is the enemy of that fit. Washing in hot water can either shrink the fabric so the pad becomes impossible to pull on, or destroy the elasticity so it becomes loose and saggy. Both outcomes ruin the sizing you carefully selected.
Wash your pads on a cold or warm cycle, never hot. Skip the dryer entirely. High heat from a tumble dryer warps the fibers and permanently alters the fit. Instead, let your pads air dry. This also helps them last longer overall, preserving both the padding and the sleeve’s compression.
New knee pads often feel very tight for the first few wears. The fabric loosens slightly as you break them in, which is another reason to lean toward the smaller size if you’re between two options. A pad that feels almost too snug out of the package will typically settle into a secure, comfortable fit after a few practices.