What size are paintballs? Most paintballs used in the sport of paintball are .68 caliber. This size has become the industry standard and is used by the vast majority of paintball markers, fields, and events.
While .68 caliber is the standard size for most paintball markers, smaller paintballs such as .50 caliber and .43 caliber are also used in certain types of markers.
Understanding paintball size helps players choose paint that feeds reliably through their marker and matches the equipment they are using.
What Size Are Paintballs Used in Paintball Markers?
The standard paintball size is .68 caliber. In simple terms, this refers to the approximate diameter of the paintball, which is about 0.68 inches across. Nearly all modern paintball markers are designed to shoot .68 caliber paintballs.
Because .68 caliber has become the industry standard, most paintballs sold at paintball fields, retailers, and tournaments are produced in this size.
.68 caliber paintballs are the standard size used across most of the sport, including organized competitive formats such as those played in the National Xball League.
Why Paintball Size Can Vary
Even though paintballs are labeled as .68 caliber, the exact diameter can vary slightly. Paintballs are manufactured from gelatin shells filled with water-soluble paint, and small variations can occur during production.
Temperature and humidity can also affect paintball size. Paintballs stored in warmer conditions may expand slightly, while paintballs stored in colder conditions may shrink slightly. These small changes can influence how paintballs fit inside a barrel. Learn more about how temperature affects paintballs.
Higher-quality paintballs are typically produced with tighter manufacturing tolerances, which helps keep paintballs more consistently round and similar in size. This is one of the differences explained in our guide to paintball grades.
How Paintball Size Affects Performance
Paintball markers rely on a good match between the paintball and the barrel. If paintballs are too small for a barrel, air can escape around the ball during firing, which may reduce efficiency and consistency.
If paintballs are too large for a barrel, they may not feed smoothly or could break inside the barrel during firing. For this reason, players often look for paintballs that are consistently round and similar in size.
Matching Paintball Size to Your Barrel
Because paintballs can vary slightly in size, the relationship between the paintball and the barrel can affect how consistently a marker shoots. If the paintball is much smaller than the barrel bore, air can escape around the ball when it is fired.
Most standard paintball barrels are produced with bore sizes around .689 or .690. This size works well with many paintballs, but some paintballs may be slightly smaller depending on manufacturing variation and environmental conditions.
To better match paintball size, players sometimes use paintball barrels with smaller or larger fixed bore diameters, or barrel systems that include interchangeable bore inserts. These systems allow the internal diameter of the barrel to be changed so the paintball fits the barrel more closely.
A closer paint-to-barrel match can help improve efficiency and shot consistency, though many players choose a medium bore size that works reliably with a wide range of paintballs.
Other Paintball Sizes
Most players will use .68 caliber paintballs, since this is the size supported by the majority of paintball markers and paintball fields, but other paintball sizes do exist.
| Paintball Size | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| .68 caliber | Standard paintball markers and most field play |
| .50 caliber | Low-impact paintball markers and paintball park rental programs |
| .43 caliber | Paintball pistols and some training markers |
Paintballs are typically sold in sealed bags packaged together in a case. If you’re unsure how paint is packaged when buying it, see our guide explaining how many paintballs are in a case.
You can browse the available paintballs at Badlands to compare options designed for different types of paintball play.
What Size Are Paintballs FAQ
What size are paintballs?
Most paintballs used in paintball markers are .68 caliber. This is the industry standard size used by the vast majority of paintball markers, paintballs, and paintball fields.
Are all .68 caliber paintballs exactly the same size?
No. Even though paintballs are labeled as .68 caliber, their exact diameter can vary slightly due to manufacturing differences and environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. Higher-grade paintballs are typically produced with tighter tolerances, which helps improve roundness and consistency from ball to ball.
Do paintball size differences affect performance?
Yes. If a paintball is much smaller than the barrel bore, air can escape around the ball during firing, which may reduce efficiency and shot consistency. Paintballs that are too large for a barrel may break inside the marker or barrel.
Why do paintball barrels have different bore sizes?
Paintball barrels are available with different bore sizes to better match the size of the paintballs being used. A closer paint-to-barrel match can improve efficiency and shot consistency.
Are there paintballs smaller than .68 caliber?
Yes. While .68 caliber is the standard size used by most paintball markers, smaller paintballs such as .50 caliber and .43 caliber are also produced for specific types of markers and training systems.
Can you use .50 caliber paintballs in a .68 caliber marker?
No. Paintball markers are designed to use a specific caliber, and .50 caliber paintballs are too small to function properly in a .68 caliber marker. Paintball markers are designed to use a specific caliber, and the correct size must be used for the marker to operate.
What size paintballs should I use for my marker?
Most paintball markers are designed to use .68 caliber paintballs, which is the industry standard. Some markers are designed specifically for .50 caliber or .43 caliber paintballs, and those markers require that exact size to function properly.
What bore size barrel should I use for paintballs?
Use a bore size that closely matches the paintballs you are shooting. A simple way to check is the “blow test.” Place a paintball in the barrel and blow through it like a blow dart gun. If the paintball is too large, it will get stuck or require too much force to move. If it is too small, it will roll through too easily with little resistance. The ideal fit allows the paintball to move through the barrel with slight resistance using a short, sharp breath.