Measuring guide
How to measure a post
There is no standard post size in this industry. Manufacturers, decades and installers all differ, which is why measuring properly beats reading a model number off a catalogue.
Six steps
Get it right the first time
Work out what shape the post actually is
Square, rectangular, round or an I-beam. This sounds obvious and it is the single most common source of a returned pad, because a post that looks square from across the gym is often 6 inches by 8 inches rather than 6 by 6.
For a square or rectangular post, measure all four sides
Measure each face independently and write them down as A, B, C and D. Do not measure one side and multiply. Older posts are not always true, and a pad cut for a perfect square will not close cleanly on a post that is out by half an inch.
For a round post, measure the circumference
Wrap a soft tape all the way around the post and record the circumference. Divide that number by 3.14 to get the diameter. If the result falls between two available sizes, round up. A slightly loose pad closes; a tight one does not.
Measure the height you need padded
Measure from the playing surface up to where coverage should stop. Standard pole pads are commonly 72 inches tall. If a rule or a specification governs your facility, measure to that height rather than to the standard one.
Check whether there is a gusset or base plate
Many systems have an angled brace running from the post down to the base plate. That brace is at shin height and it is what people actually catch. It needs its own pad, ordered alongside the post pad rather than instead of it.
Photograph the post before you send the numbers
Send a photo of the full post, the base and anything mounted to it. Ninety seconds with a phone catches the crank handles, brackets and offsets that measurements alone will not, and it lets us confirm fit before anything is cut.
What size pole pad do I need for a 4x4 post?
A 4 inch square post takes our FT75 pad, which is built to fit both 4 inch and 5 inch square posts and most round posts. Measure all four faces first to confirm the post really is 4 inches, since older residential and park systems vary more than the catalogue suggests.
How do you measure a round pole for padding?
Wrap a soft tape around the post to get its circumference, then divide by 3.14 to get the diameter. If your answer sits between two available sizes, round up. A pad slightly larger than the post still closes correctly; one cut slightly small will not reach.
How tall should a basketball pole pad be?
Seventy two inches is the common standard for basketball post padding. What matters more is measuring from the actual playing surface to the height your facility needs covered, especially if a governing body rule or a written specification sets that number for you.
Do I need a separate gusset pad?
If your system has an angled brace running from the post to the base plate, yes. That brace sits at shin height and is a common contact point. It is a separate pad from the post pad, and ordering only the post pad leaves the sharpest part exposed.
Start a quote
Send us the
measurements.
Tell us the post size or the wall run, the colors you need, and whether it lives indoors or out. You will get a written quote back with a real lead time on it.
- A written lead time on every quote
- Purchase orders and W9 on request
- A proof before anything is cut