Every competition boule carries three numbers that matter: diameter, weight and hardness. Two are engraved on the boule, and the third comes from the maker’s specification.
Getting them roughly right makes the boule comfortable in your hand. Practice with the set you choose matters far more than a perfect match.
The official limits
Article 2 of the FIPJP rules sets the range every competition boule must fit. The boule must be metal and hollow, with no lead, sand or other filling.
| Specification | Allowed range |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 70.5 to 80 mm |
| Weight | 650 to 800 g |
| Players 11 and under | 600 g and 65 mm allowed |
| Markings | Maker’s mark and weight engraved, always legible |
| Approval | Model on the FIPJP list of approved labels |
Re-tempering a boule to change its hardness is forbidden, so the steel you buy is the steel you keep. Leisure sets carry no approval and are not legal in sanctioned play.
Diameter
Match it to your hand
The right diameter lets your fingers wrap the boule without stretching or crowding. Obut’s sizing page puts the usual size at 74 to 75 mm for men and 72 to 73 mm for women.
Hold the boule palm down, the grip our grip and stance page teaches. Strain in the fingers means it is too big, and a boule lost inside your hand is too small.
Try before you buy
Clubs usually have spare boules in several sizes, and our club directory lists clubs near you. Throw each size for a full session, since the first throws with any new boule feel strange.
Pointers and shooters
Obut advises pointers to favour a small diameter for accurate placement and shooters a larger one for an easier release. Comfort in the hand still comes first, and our boule selector gives you a starting size in a minute.
Weight
Diameter and weight are independent: the rules allow any weight from 650 to 800 g at any legal diameter. Pick the diameter first, then a weight you can throw 50 times in a row without tiring.
Many pointers choose a heavier boule that holds its line and stops sooner on landing. Shooters often go lighter, since a lighter boule is easier to throw hard all game.
Hardness
How makers rate it
Most makers state hardness in kg/mm², where a lower number means softer steel. The FIPJP approval rules set a floor of 27 HRC and a ceiling of 55 HRC for steel boules.
Not every maker publishes a figure. Obut rates the RCX in its own Impact Absorber+ class, and our Obut RCX review explains what that means.
What rebound means
Rebound is how much energy a boule keeps after an impact. Softer steel absorbs more of it and rebounds less, while harder steel gives a livelier bounce.
Soft, semi-soft and hard
A soft boule that hits its target cleanly tends to stay close to the spot, which gives the best chance of a carreau. The trade-off is wear, since soft steel marks sooner.
| Boule | Stated hardness | Maker’s class |
|---|---|---|
| La Boule Bleue Prestige Inox 110 | 110 kg/mm² | Very soft |
| MS Pétanque 1PACT | 120 kg/mm² | Semi-soft |
| Obut Match IT | Over 115 kg/mm² | Half-soft |
| Obut La Boule Noire | Over 140 kg/mm² | Hard |
Which to pick
| Player | Suggested hardness | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Shooter | Soft | Less rebound, more carreaux |
| Pointer | Semi-soft or hard | Durable, keeps its finish |
| Both roles | Semi-soft | A balanced middle |
| Casual player | Hard or semi-soft | Lasts longest |
Role matters more than terrain, though very hard ground marks soft boules faster.
What pétanque balls are made of: carbon, stainless and leisure steel
Competition boules are hollow steel, in one of two families. Carbon steel rusts if it stays damp, while stainless steel resists rust with little care.
Carbon steel
Obut’s current carbon models include the RCC, CX COU, Match, Match+, Ton’R and La Boule Noire. Dry carbon boules after a wet session and give them a light coat of oil before storage.
Our boule care post covers the routine.
Stainless steel
Obut’s stainless range includes the ATX, the RCX new generation, the Superinox, the Soleil and the Match IT. Across that range, stainless models cost more on average than carbon ones.
Leisure boules
Leisure boules come in sets with no FIPJP approval, often with decorative patterns. Obut states that its leisure stainless boules are not authorised for competition.
Our boule reviews cover approved models, and best beginner sets compares leisure options.
Frequently asked questions
What size boule should I use?
Most adults play between 71 and 76 mm. Obut puts the usual size at 74 to 75 mm for men and 72 to 73 mm for women.
How do I measure my hand for boules?
Makers’ hand charts do not all agree, so any chart is only a starting point. The palm-down test settles it: your fingers should wrap the boule without stretching.
What weight is best for pointing?
Many pointers choose a heavier boule for stability. Pick a weight you can throw all game without tiring.
Are soft boules better for shooting?
Usually. They absorb more of the impact, which helps the shooting boule stay near the target.
Can children use smaller boules?
Yes. Players aged 11 and under may use 600 g boules 65 mm across.
Do all my boules have to match?
The FIPJP rules do not require identical boules. A matching set still gives a more consistent feel.
