Pitching Velocity Percentile Checker

Typical fastball velocity by age

Most 9 and 10 year olds throw between 40 and 50 mph, and anything over about 51 is above average. At 11 to 12, the typical range is 50 to 60 mph, with 61 and up above average. At 13 to 14 it's 60 to 70 mph, with 71 and up above average. At 15 to 16, most pitchers sit between 70 and 80 mph, with 81 and up above average. At 17 to 18 the typical range is 75 to 85 mph, and 86 and up is above average. The interactive checker on this page turns any age and speed into an estimated percentile within these ranges.

How the percentile is estimated

The typical range for each age group is treated as the middle half of pitchers, the 25th through 75th percentile, and your pitcher's speed is placed within that curve. The ranges are compiled from published youth, travel, and high-school velocity data. Radar guns and phone apps can disagree by 3 to 4 mph on the same pitch, and two kids the same age can be years apart in physical development, so treat every result as a well-informed ballpark rather than a verdict.

The number is the starting point, not the story

Velocity comes from the delivery: legs, hips, torso, and arm firing in order. When that sequence runs cleanly, energy stacks up and the ball jumps. When it runs out of order, even slightly, a pitcher leaks speed he already has, and no chart can see that. That's why the most useful next step after checking a percentile is a coach-reviewed video evaluation of the delivery itself, which PitchSequence provides free from one short phone video.

Common questions

How accurate is this velocity percentile?

It's an estimate built from published velocity ranges for each age group, good enough to tell you whether a pitcher is below, within, or above the typical range for his age. Consumer radar readings vary by a few mph, so small percentile differences aren't meaningful. Large ones are.

What is a good pitching speed for my son's age?

Typical ranges: 40 to 50 mph at ages 9 to 10, 50 to 60 at 11 to 12, 60 to 70 at 13 to 14, 70 to 80 at 15 to 16, and 75 to 85 at 17 to 18. Being below the range usually reflects growth timing or mechanical inefficiency, not talent or ceiling.

How do I measure pitching speed at home?

A pocket radar or a radar phone app works fine for tracking progress. Measure a few times a year under similar conditions and watch the trend rather than any single reading.

My son is below the range for his age. Should I be worried?

No. At youth ages a below-range number usually means he's earlier on his growth curve, or his delivery is leaking velocity he already has. Growth arrives on its own schedule; the delivery can be evaluated and improved now. A frame-by-frame video evaluation shows exactly where speed is being lost.

The chart tells you where he is. Video tells you why.

A coach-reviewed video evaluation shows exactly where his delivery is helping him and where it's holding him back. Free, from one short phone video.