Wave Height

Different ways of measuring wave height

There are two different scales used to measure the height of waves: The Australian scale and the Hawaiian scale.

The height of the face of a wave in Australia is measured from the lowest point (trough) to the highest point (crest).

In Hawaii, the wave height scale is pretty much half the Australian measurement, for example, an Australian scale 6-foot wave, in the Hawaiian scale is called 3 feet. The reason is that Hawaiians measure the wave height from the back of the wave where the water level is higher.

So make sure to check what type of scale the forecast you are using is measuring in. The difference in wave face height by roughly 50% can make a critical difference.

 

Body height scale

When the wave heights are described in face heights, it can mean different things to different people, but the body height scale is there to the rescue. The following simplified wave face scales are corresponding to the following body height rules:

• 1 ft = Ankle-high
• 2 ft = Knee-high
• 3ft = Waist-high
• 4ft = Chest-high
• 5ft = Head-high
• 6-11ft = Overhead
• 12ft =Double overhead

A 3 1/2ft can be described as waist-to-chest high.