A common starting point is a flex near half your body weight in pounds. A 160 lb player starts around 80 flex. Then adjust for feel, how you shoot and how much you cut the stick. Lower flex bends more easily. Higher flex is stiffer.
Hockey stick flex chart
| Stick size | Typical body weight | Typical flex |
|---|---|---|
| Tyke | 30–65 lb | 20–25 |
| Youth | 40–80 lb | 30–40 |
| Junior | 70–110 lb | 40–52 |
| Intermediate | 95–140 lb | 55–70 |
| Senior | 150–210+ lb | 75–100+ |
Ranges from HockeyMonkey's flex guide. Scheels uses the same divide-by-two starting point and says the final choice comes down to feel. These are guides, not rules, and flex ratings can differ between brands.
Half your body weight, as a quick table
| Body weight | Half-weight starting point |
|---|---|
| 140 lb | 70 flex |
| 150 lb | 75 flex |
| 160 lb | 80 flex |
| 170 lb | 85 flex |
| 180 lb | 90 flex |
| 190 lb | 95 flex |
| 200 lb | 100 flex |
Cutting makes a stick stiffer
Both guides above say each inch you cut adds about 3–5 flex. So the number printed on the stick is not always the flex you end up playing.
| Printed flex | Cut 1 in | Cut 2 in | Cut 3 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | About 78–80 | About 81–85 | About 84–90 |
| 85 | About 88–90 | About 91–95 | About 94–100 |
These are estimates from that rule of thumb, not measurements of a specific stick. See how to cut a hockey stick before you take anything off.
Should you go softer or stiffer?
- Go softer if you cannot bend the stick on wrist and snap shots, or you want an easier load and a quicker release.
- Go stiffer if you lean hard into your shots and the stick feels too whippy.
- Stay where you are if your current flex feels right. Your own feel beats any chart.
Common questions
What flex should a 180 lb player use?
The half-weight rule starts at about 90. Many players choose softer or stiffer for feel, so treat it as a starting point.
Is a lower flex better for wrist shots?
A lower flex is easier to load, which many players like for quick shots. If it is too soft for how hard you lean, it can feel whippy.
Is flex the same across brands?
Not always. If you are switching brands, compare how the sticks feel, not only the number.
ICEFORGE ELITE flex options
ICEFORGE ELITE comes in 75 and 85 flex, with a mid-low kick and full carbon construction. Under 150 lb, 75 is our softest. Over 190 lb, 85 is our stiffest. Ask us if you are outside that range.
Use the stick guide to choose flex, curve and length, or see ICEFORGE ELITE.