ONYX General Purpose Boating Life Jacket Child, Red 30-50 lb $23.00 View on Amazon
Size chart
Life jacket size chart: kids by weight, adults by chest
Quick answerKids size by weight: infant under 30 lb, child 30 to 50 lb, youth 50 to 90 lb. Adults size by chest: S/M 30 to 40 inches, L/XL 40 to 52, 2XL/3XL 52 to 60, oversize above that. Inflatable PFDs are only for swimmers 16 and older.
| Class | Weight | Typical age | Must have |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | Under 30 lb | Birth to about 2 | Head support collar, grab handle, crotch strap |
| Child | 30 to 50 lb | About 2 to 6 | Crotch strap, grab handle |
| Youth | 50 to 90 lb | About 6 to 12 | Snug fit; crotch strap recommended |
| Adult | 90 lb and up | 12 and up | Size by chest measurement |
Gear sized from this chart
Match the row that fits you, then check the listing's own dimensions and rated capacity.
ONYX General Purpose Boating Life Jacket Child, Red 30-50 lb 
Oceans7 US Coast Guard-Approved Kids Life Jacket 30-50 lbs -Type III PFD Flexible-Fit Open-Sided Design Personal Flotation Device, Pink/Berry USCG approved / 30-50 lb $36.70 View on Amazon
Stohlquist Oversized XL Adult Life Jacket. USCG Approved Type III PFD Unisex, Adjustable Plus-Size Life Vest (48, 60" Chest), Lightweight, High Buoyancy. for Kayaking, Boating & Water Sports USCG approved $44.77 View on Amazon
Sizing specs: Stohlquist Oversized XL Adult Life... 
Onyx USCGA and Transport Canada Approved Curve Paddle Vest USCG approved $63.69 View on Amazon
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Onyx Air Span Breeze Life Jacket, USCG/TC Approved Paddle Vest USCG approved $77.35 View on Amazon
Sizing specs: Onyx Air Span Breeze Life Jacket 
Stohlquist Adult Life Jacket PFD 4-Pack. US Coast Guard Approved Type III Life Vest for Kayak, Boat, Paddleboard & Water Sports, Lightweight Adjustable Fit for Men & Women 90+ lbs USCG approved $169.99 View on Amazon
Sizing specs: Stohlquist Adult Life Jacket PFD... Life jackets are sized two ways. Children's jackets are sold in U.S. Coast Guard weight classes, because buoyancy has to match body weight and a jacket that is too big rides up over a small child's face. Adult jackets are sized by chest circumference, measured around the fullest part of the chest under the arms. Paddling vests add large arm openings and a short back so they do not fight a kayak seatback.
| Chest | Size | Universal adult vest? |
|---|---|---|
| 28 in | Youth or adult XS | No: buy by size |
| 34 in | S/M (30 to 40 in) | Fits (30 to 52 in) |
| 38 in | S/M (30 to 40 in) | Fits (30 to 52 in) |
| 42 in | L/XL (40 to 52 in) | Fits (30 to 52 in) |
| 46 in | L/XL (40 to 52 in) | Fits (30 to 52 in) |
| 50 in | L/XL (40 to 52 in) | Fits (30 to 52 in) |
| 54 in | 2XL/3XL (52 to 60 in) | No: buy by size |
| 58 in | 2XL/3XL (52 to 60 in) | No: buy by size |
| 62 in | Oversize 3XL/4XL (60 in and up) | No: buy by size |
Want the number for your exact weight and height? Use the life jacket (pfd) size calculator, which runs the same math as this chart.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know what size life jacket to buy?
Children: use their current weight, not the size they will grow into. Adults: measure chest circumference and buy the band it falls in. Then do the fit test: fasten everything and have someone lift the jacket by the shoulders. If it rises past the chin or ears, go down a size.
What size life jacket for a 40 lb child?
A 40 lb child wears a USCG Child class jacket, rated 30 to 50 lb, ideally with a crotch strap and a grab handle behind the head. Near 50 lb, try both the child and youth sizes and keep the one that passes the shoulder-lift test.
Can a child wear an inflatable life jacket?
No. U.S. Coast Guard approvals for inflatable PFDs apply to people 16 and older, and they are not recommended for weak swimmers. Children need an inherently buoyant foam vest.
On the water: Wear a properly fitted, USCG-approved life jacket every time, dress for the water temperature rather than the air, and check your state and local paddling regulations before you launch.
This is researched general information, not professional advice. Sizing figures are starting points: confirm against the maker's own sizing chart and the capacity printed on the boat or board.