Wetsuit Temperature & Thickness Chart
Water temperature drives wetsuit thickness more than any other factor. Drag the slider or type your temp — we'll match you to the right range, factor in wind and session length if you want, and link you to the buying guide for that thickness.
Water temperature
Recommended setup
2mm full suit or 3/2mm
Light full suit
Accessories
- • Booties optional if rocks/cold feet
Where you see this
- • Central California summer
- • East Coast mid-Atlantic fall
- • UK August
Personal factors (fine-tune the recommendation)
Quick-reference table
| Water temp | Thickness | Accessories |
|---|---|---|
| 75–85°F24–29°C | Rashguard or board shorts No wetsuit needed | UV-rated rashguard, Reef-safe sunscreen |
| 68–75°F20–24°C | 1–2mm shorty or spring suit Shorty or spring suit | Optional neoprene top for mornings |
| 62–68°F17–20°C | 2mm full suit or 3/2mm Light full suit | Booties optional if rocks/cold feet |
| 56–62°F13–17°C | 3/2mm full suit Full suit with sealed seams | 3mm booties for longer sessions |
| 50–56°F10–13°C | 4/3mm full suit + boots Mid-weight full suit | 5mm booties, Optional lightweight hood on windy mornings |
| 44–50°F7–10°C | 5/4mm + hood, boots, gloves Hooded full suit | 7mm booties, 5mm gloves, Attached or separate hood |
| Below 44°FBelow 7°C | 6/5/4mm hooded or drysuit Heavyweight hooded suit or drysuit | 7mm boots, 7mm mittens, Plan on shorter sessions |
Find your water temperature
Not sure how cold your water actually is? These sources publish near-real-time measurements.
- NOAA buoy data (NDBC) — official US coastal measurements.
- Surfline — spot-level water temps alongside surf forecasts.
- Seatemperature.org — worldwide coastal averages by month.
Frequently asked
How do I know what water temperature I have?
Check NOAA buoy data or Surfline for your nearest spot. Air temperature and water temperature can vary by 20°F or more — always dress for the water.
Should I go thicker if I run cold?
Yes. People with lower body fat, those coming off sickness, or anyone sensitive to cold should size up one thickness category. A 3/2mm becomes a 4/3mm. You can always unzip in the water if you overheat.
Does session length really change the suit I need?
It does. Your core cools the longer you sit in the water. A 3/2mm that feels fine for a 60-minute session can be miserable on a three-hour dawn patrol. If you consistently go long, dress for the longer version of the day.
Do I really need a hood once water drops below 50°F?
For most people, yes. Heat loss from an uncovered head is significant in cold water. If you can only add one accessory below 50°F, make it a hood before gloves.