Cricket Bat Rules (Law 5 Size Limits and Bat Gauge)
Also known as: how thick can a cricket bat be, cricket bat rules, cricket bat regulations, bat gauge, maximum bat width, legal cricket bat size, bat edge limit
A cricket bat's blade can be no wider than 10.8 cm, no deeper than 6.7 cm and its edges no thicker than 4.0 cm, under Law 5.7. The whole bat can be no longer than 96.52 cm. It must also pass through a bat gauge. Above size 6, the handle can be at most 52% of the length.
Law 5 sets the rules for bats. The bat has a handle and a blade. The blade must be wood. The handle is mainly cane or wood and may have a grip. Law 5.7 sets the size limits. Overall length is at most 38 in (96.52 cm) with the handle fitted. The blade can be at most 4.25 in (10.8 cm) wide and 2.64 in (6.7 cm) deep. The edges can be at most 1.56 in (4.0 cm) thick.
The bat must also pass through a bat gauge, described in Appendix B.8. The gauge checks the overall shape as well as each measurement. Covering on the blade may be at most 0.1 cm thick, and toe protection at most 0.3 cm. For bats bigger than size 6, the handle must not be more than 52% of the overall length.
The Laws also group bats into types. Type A bats may be used at any level. Types B, C and D have extra allowances, such as inserts, cloth coverings or laminated blades. Each country's governing body decides the levels where they may be used. Bats that fit none of the four types are not recognised.
Tips by skill level
Buy from a known maker. Their senior bats are designed to meet Law 5.
If you add an anti-scuff sheet or toe guard, keep it within the Law 5.7 limits of 0.1 cm and 0.3 cm.
Example
Before a match, an umpire passes a batter's new bat through a gauge. It slides through cleanly, so it is legal to use.
Why it matters
Modern bats have thick edges. Knowing the limits helps you buy a legal bat and avoid having it ruled out.
Common mistakes
- Buying a bat with oversized edges that fails the gauge
- Adding thick tape or covers beyond the allowed thickness
- Assuming every bat type is allowed at every level
Frequently asked questions
How thick can a cricket bat be?
The blade can be at most 6.7 cm deep and its edges at most 4.0 cm thick under Law 5.7. It must also pass through the bat gauge.
How wide can a cricket bat be?
No wider than 10.8 cm (4.25 in) across the blade, under Law 5.7.2.
What is a bat gauge in cricket?
It is a frame described in Appendix B.8 of the Laws. A legal bat must pass through it, which checks the bat's overall shape as well as its width and depth.
Sources
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 5.1-5.3 (The bat, handle and blade), pp. 20-21
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 5.7 (Bat size limits) and Law 5.8 (Categories of bat), pp. 22-23
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Appendix B.8 (Bat gauge), p. 163
Related terms
- Choosing a Cricket BatChoose a cricket bat by size first, then weight and pickup, then willow and profile. Size goes by your height, using the maker's chart. The bat should feel light and balanced in your stance, not just light on the scales. English willow suits hard-ball cricket. Kashmir willow suits beginners and soft-ball play.
- Cricket Bat SizesCricket bat size is chosen by height, not age. Junior bats run from size 0 to size 6, then Harrow, and adult bats come in sizes such as short handle and long handle. A 10-year-old usually needs a size 3 or 4, depending on height. In your stance, the top of the handle should line up with the inner groin of your front leg.
- Sweet Spot and Bat ProfileThe sweet spot, or middle, is the part of the blade that sends the ball away hardest with the least jar in your hands. It sits where the bat maker has put the most wood. The bat's profile is the shape of its back: the spine, the edges and how high the thickest point sits. That decides where the middle is.
- English Willow GradesEnglish willow grades describe how the wood in a bat's blade looks, mainly its grain, colour and marks. Higher grades have straighter, more even grain and fewer blemishes. Lower grades show more coloured wood, knots or specks. Each maker uses its own scale. Compare bats by feel and pickup as well as grade.
- Kashmir WillowKashmir willow is willow grown in the Kashmir region and used for many entry-level and junior bats. It is naturally denser and more durable than English willow but lacks some of its 'ping'. It suits beginners, juniors and soft-ball cricket. English willow is the usual choice for regular hard-ball play.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.