What's the Correct Length for Jump Ropes?

With one of the most inexpensive pieces of exercise equipment — a jump rope — you can get a great cardio workout and build strength and balance all in one.

Jumping rope also helps you increase body awareness and hand-and-foot coordination. It can even improve your cognitive function, according to the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Because there needs to be communication between your wrists, brain and legs, your nervous system is getting a workout, too.

To keep a steady pace, get the most from your workout and avoid falling flat on your face, you need the correct jump rope length.

If the rope falls short of your chest, the rope won't hit the ground as it passes under your feet when you jump. But if the rope comes up well past your chest, you may trip on the extra length, and the rope may become tangled as you jump.

You can adjust a jump rope's length to make it shorter, but it's even easier to buy one that's perfect for your height. Even if you know how tall you are, double check with a measuring tape.

While the way you jump can affect the rope length needed, in general, you can follow a basic chart to determine the correct jump rope length for your height.

For group play with two rope turners, you need a long rope or two long ropes of equal length to jump Double Dutch.

• The standard long rope for one jumper is 12 feet.
• For up to two jumpers, use a 14-foot rope.
• For up to three jumpers, you need a 16-foot rope.
• A 20-foot rope fits up to four jumpers.
• For more than four jumpers, you need a rope that's at least 24 feet.
• Long ropes reach lengths of 36 feet.

In addition to the length, the kind of jump rope you use affects how well and how fast you will jump, according to the British Rope Skipping Association. Schools generally equip students with speed ropes and segmented ropes. As the name suggests, speed ropes allow you to jump the fastest.

Often used by boxers, leather ropes are the second-fastest ropes but sting at high speeds. For the most versatile rope, use a segmented rope, also called a beaded rope, because it's light and keeps its shape well. Weighted jump ropes help provide a more intense workout.