Weight class finder 2026-27
Your state, your classes.

High school wrestling weight classes for 2026-27

High school wrestling weight classes depend on your state and whether you wrestle in the boys or girls division. The NFHS provides separate weight class lists, and states can choose 12, 13, or 14 classes for their competitions. NFHS

Use the weight class finder above to see the classes that apply to you. Select your state, division, current weight, and date. The result shows each class limit, including any growth allowance active on that date.

Your lowest fitting class is the lightest class whose adjusted limit can hold your current weight. It is not necessarily the class you are certified to wrestle in or the best class for your health and performance.

Boys and girls wrestling weight classes compared

The NFHS model lists below show the standard 14-class options for boys and girls. Your state may use a different set, so check your state-specific results before planning your season. NFHS

Each listed weight is the upper limit of that class before any applicable growth allowance.

Boys and girls do not use the same weight class limits. A weight that fits one class in the boys division may fall into a different class in the girls division.

The table is a reference, not a complete list for every state. Your calculator result uses the selected state’s classes instead.

How wrestling weight classes differ by state

Not every state follows the full NFHS model. Some use custom weight classes, while others have different numbers of classes for boys and girls.

Here are examples from state wrestling rules for the season:

• Alabama: Boys use the NFHS 14-class list, while girls have 12 classes. Alabama
• Alaska: Boys have 14 classes ranging from 103 to 285 lb. Girls have 12 classes, and allowances are added in stages. Alaska
• Idaho: Boys compete across 15 classes, starting at 98 lb and ending at 285 lb. Girls have 14 classes. Idaho
• Illinois: Both divisions use the NFHS 14-class lists, with a 2 lb growth allowance starting December 25, 2026. Illinois
• North Dakota: Boys and girls each have 13 classes. The boys range starts at 107 lb, and the girls range ends at 250 lb. North Dakota
• Pennsylvania: Both divisions use 13 classes, with boys starting at 107 lb and girls at 100 lb. Pennsylvania
• California: Both divisions use 14 classes, with a 2 lb allowance beginning January 1, 2027. California
• Virginia: Boys use 14 classes, girls use 12, and the state adds growth allowance in stages. Virginia

These differences matter when you compare your weight with a class limit.

If you move between states, do not assume the class names or weight limits will match. Even states with similar class lists may apply allowances on different dates.

Find your state’s complete rules and weight class table in the wrestling weight classes directory.

How growth allowance changes your wrestling weight class

Growth allowance increases the upper weight limit of a class later in the season. The allowance and its effective dates come from your state association.

The calculator uses this formula:

Adjusted class limit = Published class limit + Active growth allowance

Then it finds your lowest fitting class:

Lowest fitting class = Smallest adjusted class limit that is at least your current weight

Worked example: Illinois

Suppose you are a boys wrestler who weighs 152 lb. That weight comes from the 150 lb class limit plus 2 lb.

Illinois activates its 2 lb growth allowance on December 25, 2026. Illinois

Here is how the calculation works:

Before the allowance:

1. Start with the 150 lb class.
2. Calculate the limit: 150 + 0 = 150 lb.
3. Your weight is 152 lb, which is above that limit.
4. Check the next class: 157 + 0 = 157 lb.
5. Your lowest fitting class is 157 lb.

After the allowance starts:

1. Start with the same 150 lb class.
2. Add the allowance: 150 + 2 = 152 lb.
3. Your weight is 152 lb, which meets the adjusted limit.
4. Your lowest fitting class is now 150 lb.

Your body weight did not change. Only the effective class limit changed.

Another example: Virginia

Virginia adds 1 lb starting December 24, 2026, and another 1 lb starting January 24, 2027. Virginia

For a boys 150 lb class, the adjusted limits are:

• Before the first allowance: 150 lb
• After the first allowance: 150 + 1 = 151 lb
• After the second allowance: 150 + 1 + 1 = 152 lb

This is why selecting the correct date matters. Check the allowance for your actual competition date, rather than assuming the same limit applies all season.

How to choose the right wrestling weight class

Your lowest fitting class is a useful starting point, but it is not the same as your certified minimum wrestling weight.

High school assessments begin with a hydration test, requiring a urine specific gravity of 1.025 or lower before body fat assessment. The season-long weight management plan also limits weight loss to 1.5% of body weight per week from the initial assessment. GIAA

The NFHS minimum body fat floor is 7% for boys, while the girls floor rises from 12% to 19% for the 2026-27 season. NFHS

The minimum weight formula is:

Minimum wrestling weight = Fat-free weight / (1 - Body fat floor)

For example, a boy assessed at 150 lb with 12% body fat has 132 lb of fat-free weight. Dividing 132 by 0.93 gives a minimum wrestling weight of about 141.9 lb. GIAA

Use the weight certification calculator to estimate your minimum and the descent plan calculator to understand your permitted timeline.

Consider how you feel in training, how well you recover, and whether your class is realistic throughout the season. Being eligible for a lower class does not mean it is your best option.

Common mistakes when finding your weight class

• Using another state’s weight classes. Check the rules for the state where you compete, not a list you found for another state.
• Forgetting the growth allowance date. Your class limit can change during the season. Match the calculator date to your competition.
• Confusing current eligibility with certification. Fitting under a class limit does not override your certified minimum weight.
• Choosing the lowest possible class. A lower number is not automatically better. Think about strength, recovery, and your season goals.
• Ignoring the descent plan. Your target class might be reachable eventually but not yet permitted under your approved plan.
• Rounding your weight down. Enter your measured weight accurately. Being slightly above a limit still means you do not fit that class.

Safety: Do not use dehydration or extreme last-minute weight cutting to force yourself into a class. Talk with your coach and a qualified healthcare professional before making major weight changes.

What to do next after finding your class

Use your result to plan the rest of your season.

Start with the state wrestling weight classes directory to confirm your state’s current rules. Then check your body fat assessment with the weight certification calculator.

If you are considering moving down a class, use the descent plan calculator and read the guide to cutting weight for wrestling safely.

You can also use the CutCoach app to build a day-by-day plan for calories, water, meals, and refueling after the scale, based on your weight, target class, and weigh-in date. It is available on iPhone and Android.

The goal is to find a class you can reach within the rules while staying healthy, strong, and ready to wrestle.

This free tool gives an estimate from public rules. Your official numbers come from your coach, your state association or your event. Nothing you type here is sent to us or saved.

Sources

• NFHS: adjustment in minimum body fat percentage for females (2026-27)
• GIAA 2025-26 Weight Management Coach Handbook (NFHS 1-5-2)

Not medical advice. Talk to your coach, athletic trainer or doctor before changing how you eat or drink. CutCoach does not recommend saunas, sweat suits, diuretics or skipping fluids to make weight.