Drumstick sizes look standard and are not. A 5A from one maker is not the same stick as a 5A from another, and the letters and numbers only hint at what is in your hand. This page puts the sticks drummers actually buy in one table, with the length, diameter, wood, tip and balance their makers state, and filters them by how you play: a first pair, small hands, quiet practice, loud gigs, a light touch, or hands that hurt.
Quick answer
First pairVic Firth American Classic 5A$14.99 · 4.8 (2,995)
Small handsVic Firth American Classic 7A$14.99 · 4.8 (837)
Loud and durableVic Firth American Classic 5B$14.99 · 4.8 (907)
Light touchVater Manhattan 7A$12.49 · 4.7 (254)The best-rated option for each need, by the same ratings as the table: a high score from a few reviews counts for less than one from thousands. Nothing here is paid for.
What the data says
Ten of the sticks in this table are called 5A, and their makers give grip diameters from 0.540 inch (AHEAD) to 0.57 inch (Vater Los Angeles), with Millenium's maple 5A at 14.9 mm, about 0.587 inch.
AHEAD's 5A is as thin as Vic Firth's and Vater's 7A, both 0.540 inch. If a 5A feels wrong in your hand, another brand's 5A may feel right; compare the Diameter column, not the name.
ProMark sells two 5A hickory sticks at the same 16 inch length: the Forward 5A and the Rebound 5A.
Thomann lists them at 43 g and 52 g per stick, because ProMark moves the balance forward on one and back on the other. Only AHEAD publishes a weight for its own stick (53 grams); every other weight on this page is the retailer's figure, and the Weight column says so.
Most 7As are shorter than the same maker's 5A: Vic Firth's is 15.5 inches against 16.
Vater's Manhattan 7A is 16 inches, the same length as its Los Angeles 5A, and Vater describes it as longer than an average 7A. If you want a thin stick with full reach, that is the one row in the table that gives you both.
Side by side
Ratings and review counts are the stores' and retailers' own, pulled on 2026-10-07. A cross means the feature is not there; a question mark means neither the listing nor the maker says. Prices are US dollars as listed on the named store on the date in each card; they change, so check the store before you buy.
One by one
First pair
Vic Firth
$14.994.8 from 2,995 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a hickory 5A with a medium taper that Vic Firth pitches as all-around, for a first pair.
Skip it if you want a clearly lighter, thinner stick, or the sticks are for a very young child.
Vic Firth's best-selling stick: 16 in of hickory at 0.565 in with a teardrop tip and medium taper, pitched as a great all-around size and weight for any musical situation, which makes it the default first pair. Stick sizes are not standard across brands, so a ProMark Forward 5A at 0.551 in will feel thinner, and the nylon tip 5AN and anti-slip Vic Grip 5AVG are separate products.
Sources (9)
Diameter: 0.565” | 1.44cmsource
Length: 16” | 40.64cmsource
Finish: Lacquer Tip Material: Wood Shape: Tear Dropsource
A medium taper gives you the best balance between the butt and the tip.source
Great all-around size and weight for any musical situationsource
Nylon tip for added clarity on cymbals and added durabilitysource
Vic Grip provides an anti-slip finish on our classic 5A design.source
how each pair of sticks is weight-matched and pitch-paired, every detail matters.source
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Light touchSmall hands
Vic Firth
$14.994.8 from 837 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a thinner hickory stick for light jazz or combo, or for small hands.
Skip it if you hit hard or play loud rock gigs, where Vic Firth points players to the thicker 5B.
Half an inch shorter than the 5A and slightly thinner at 0.54 in, the 7A is the hickory stick Vic Firth pitches for light jazz, combo and whenever a fast, light touch is needed, and Vic Firth's guide says shorter sticks are easier to control and weigh less, which suits small hands. Thomann lists it at 42 g against 50 g for the 5A, and Vic Firth calls the thicker 5B ideal for rock.
Sources (9)
Perfect for light jazz and combo or whenever a fast, light touch is needed.source
Diameter: 0.54” | 1.37cm Length: 15.5” | 39.37cmsource
Finish: Lacquer Tip Material: Wood Shape: Tear Dropsource
A medium taper gives you the best balance between the butt and the tip.source
Nylon tip adds crystal clarity to cymbals.source
Shorter sticks are easier to control and weigh less.source
how each pair of sticks is weight-matched and pitch-paired, every detail matters.source
4.8 out of 5 stars from 837 customer ratingssource
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Loud and durable
Vic Firth
$14.994.8 from 907 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a thicker hickory stick that Vic Firth says adds durability, for rock, band and practice.
Skip it if you play light jazz or have small hands, where Vic Firth pitches the thinner 7A.
Same 16 in length as the 5A but thicker at 0.595 in; Vic Firth says the added thickness is for more durability and calls the 5B ideal for rock, band and practice. The trade is weight and handling: Thomann lists it at 54 g against 50 g for the 5A, and Vic Firth's own guide says thinner sticks are easier to handle.
Sources (8)
Added thickness for more durabilitysource
Ideal for rock, band, and practicesource
Diameter: 0.595” | 1.51cm Length: 16” | 40.64cmsource
Finish: Lacquer Tip Material: Wood Shape: Tear Dropsource
A medium taper gives you the best balance between the butt and the tip.source
Our classic 5B design but with a nylon tip for incredible clarity and articulation on cymbalssource
how each pair of sticks is weight-matched and pitch-paired, every detail matters.source
4.8 out of 5 stars from 907 customer ratingssource
Loud and durable
Vic Firth
$14.994.8 from 588 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you already play a 5A and want a longer stick, which Vic Firth says adds power, leverage and reach.
Skip it if you have small hands or are a young player, who will find a shorter 5A or 7A easier to control.
The X5A keeps the 5A's 0.565 in grip and teardrop tip but adds half an inch to 16.5 in, which Vic Firth says gives more power, leverage and reach. Vic Firth's own guide also says shorter sticks are easier to control, so if you already play a 5A, treat it as a second pair to try rather than a first.
Sources (9)
each feature an extra 1/2" of length, providing extra reach and power!source
Like our best-selling 5A, but with added length for more power, leverage, and reachsource
Diameter: 0.565” | 1.44cm Length: 16.5” | 41.91cmsource
Finish: Lacquer Tip Material: Wood Shape: Tear Dropsource
Nylon tip offers a brighter cymbal sound and added durabilitysource
Shorter sticks are easier to control and weigh less.source
how each pair of sticks is weight-matched and pitch-paired, every detail matters.source
4.8 out of 5 stars from 588 customer ratingssource
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
First pair
Vic Firth
$5.994.3 from 782 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a hickory 5A in natural, black or red, and retailer specs are enough for you.
Skip it if you want the maker's published specs and Vic Firth's weight-matched, pitch-paired promise.
Nova is a hickory 5A that Thomann sells as made by Vic Firth, listed at 406 mm long and 14.3 mm thick, close to the American Classic 5A, with a nylon tip version too. Vic Firth's own website does not list the Nova line, so its specs, grading and pairing come only from retailers, one of which calls the wood grade B hickory.
Sources (6)
Made by Vic Firthsource
Length: 406 mm Diameter: 14.3 mm Tip shape: Ovalsource
4.3 out of 5 stars from 782 customer ratingssource
Vic Firth 5AN Nova Hickory Nylon Tipsource
The Vic Firth Nova Drumsticks are made from grade B Hickorysource
Each pair is weight-sorted and tone-paired using Vic Firth technologysource
Small handsFirst pair
Vic Firth
$7.994.7 from 112 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you need shorter, thinner sticks for a very young drum set player, aged 3 to 8.
Skip it if the player is older than about 8, or an adult with small hands, who is better served by a 7A.
Kidsticks are 13 in long and 0.52 in thick, which Vic Firth calls shorter and thinner than an average stick, made from the same hickory as its full-size sticks and engineered for very young drum set players aged 3 to 8. The blue or pink color is a painted finish, not a grip coating.
Sources (10)
Engineered to make playing easy for the very young drum set playersource
ages 3 to 8. Produces a quality sound.source
Shorter and thinner than an average sticksource
Diameter: 0.52” | 1.32cm Length: 13” | 33.02cmsource
Taper: Longsource
Finish: Paint Tip Material: Wood Shape: Tear Dropsource
Features a vibrant pink finish!source
A long taper produces a back-heavy feel with more flex and a faster response.source
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
First pairLoud and durable
ProMark (D'Addario)
$16.994.7 from 307 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a forward-weighted 5A that ProMark says gives more power, with its weight and pitch matching claim.
Skip it if you want a rear-weighted stick with more rebound, which ProMark's Rebound line is built for.
ProMark's classic 5A has a short taper and oval wood tip that put the weight toward the front, which ProMark says gives a forward-weighted feel for increased power, and its ProMatch process claims consistent weight and pitch pair to pair. At 0.551 in it is slightly thinner than Vic Firth's 0.565 in 5A, and if durability matters most, ProMark sells the same stick heat-tempered as FireGrain.
Sources (9)
features an oval tip shape and a short taper, producing a forward-weighted feel for increased power.source
Diameter: .551" / 14mmsource
Length: 16" / 406.4mmsource
Balance: Forwardsource
The ProMatch process ensures unrivaled consistency of weight and pitch from stick to stick, and pair to pair.source
A front-weighted balance gives Forward its timeless into-the-drum playing feel, emphasizing power and speed.source
ProMark's most durable Forward 5A. FireGrain is a patented heat-tempering processsource
features a nylon oval tip and a short tapersource
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Light touch
ProMark (D'Addario)
$16.994.7 from 86 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a rear-weighted 5A from ProMark's Rebound line, which it designs for agility and speed.
Skip it if you want a front-heavy stick that digs into the drum for maximum power.
The Rebound 5A puts more weight toward the back with a long taper and an acorn wood tip, which ProMark says gives a rear-weighted feel that is ideal for agility, and ProMark designs the Rebound line for agility, speed and technical playing. It has the same 0.565 in grip as a Vic Firth 5A but a different balance, so try it against a forward-weighted stick before committing a whole gig to it.
Sources (9)
features an acorn tip shape and a long taper, producing a rear-weighted feel that is ideal for agility.source
Diameter: .565" / 14.4mmsource
Balance: Reboundsource
The ProMatch process ensures unrivaled consistency of weight and pitch from stick to stick, and pair to pair.source
The rear-weighted design of our Rebound 5A drumstick combined with our ProMark Classic Nylon Oval Tipsource
ProMark's most durable Rebound 5A. FireGrain is a patented heat-tempering processsource
engineered to get tackier as your hands sweat and body temperature rises.source
4.7 out of 5 stars from 86 customer ratingssource
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Loud and durable
ProMark (D'Addario)
$20.994.5 from 224 reviews, Musician's Friend
Pick it if you hit hard, including metal, and want a thick, front-weighted oak 5B pitched for power and durability.
Skip it if you play jazz, in quiet rooms or with small hands, where a dense, front-weighted 5B works against you.
Sold today as the ProMark Classic Attack 5B Shira Kashi Oak, this is a thick 16 in by .590 in 5B in Japanese oak with a short taper and a forward-weighted feel that ProMark pitches for power, attack and durability, including metal. Know before choosing that ProMark calls the oak a dense, heavy wood, so this is a heavy pair built for hitting hard rather than for a light touch.
Sources (10)
features an oval tip shape, short taper, and dense Shira Kashi Oak, producing a forward-weighted feel with increased power and durabilitysource
Diameter: .590" / 15mmsource
Length: 16" / 406.4mmsource
The ProMatch process ensures unrivaled consistency of weight and pitch from stick to stick, and pair to pair.source
Shira Kashi Oak is a dense, heavy wood providing a sturdy feel, increased attack, and exceptional durability, making it ideal for metal drummingsource
Finish: Lacquersource
Material/Wood Type: FireGrainsource
Balance: Forwardsource
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Quiet practice
ProMark (D'Addario)
$24.994.6 from 463 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you play in a quiet environment, where ProMark says rods give a lighter sound with enough articulation.
Skip it if you need full stick volume and attack for every song of a loud gig.
Nineteen medium birch dowels bundled into a 16 in rod that ProMark says gives a lighter sound than traditional drumsticks with enough articulation, for when you need to play in a quiet environment. Know before choosing that ProMark sells them as an alternate sound source and does not compare them to any stick size; they sit in the 5A class here only because their stated .550 in diameter matches ProMark's own .551 in Classic Forward 5A.
Sources (11)
The ProMark Hot Rods are perfect when you need to play in a quiet environment.source
made using premium birch dowels and provide a lighter sound than traditional drumsticks, but enough articulationsource
Diameter: .550" Length: 16"source
Made with nineteen medium birch dowelssource
Now featuring a new playable rubber end cap for a fuller tone on drums and cymbals.source
Balance: Reboundsource
Handle Material: Birchsource
Diameter: .551" / 14mmsource
3 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
First pair
Vater Percussion
$11.994.7 from 285 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a hickory 5A that Vater describes as very well balanced, heavier toward the tip.
Skip it if you want a back-weighted stick, since Vater describes this one as heavier toward the tip.
Vater makes its 5A at 16 in by 0.57 in in hickory and describes it as very well balanced and heavier toward the tip for fast attack and response on drums. Know before choosing that 5A sizes differ by brand: Vater lists 0.57 in, Zildjian lists .560 in for its 5A DIP and ProMark lists .551 in for its Classic Forward 5A, so try one pair before buying several.
Sources (7)
Very well balanced stick. Heavier toward the tip for fast attack and response on drums.source
"dimensions_length":16.0,"dimensions_diameter":0.57,"tip_shape":"teardrop"source
Oval nylon tip for a bright sound.source
All Vater Drumsticks are tone and weight matched by computer analysis.source
"name":"Regular Lacquer"source
4.7 out of 5 stars from 285 customer ratingssource
Very well balanced stick, heavier toward the tip for fast responsesource
Light touchSmall hands
Vater Percussion
$12.494.7 from 254 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a thin 7A grip at full 16 in length, with a small round tip for cymbal work.
Skip it if you chose 7A to get a shorter stick, since Vater makes this one 16 in long.
A thin 0.54 in hickory 7A that Vater makes longer than an average 7A, at 16 in, with a small round tip for defined cymbal work. Know before choosing that it is the same 16 in length as Vater's Los Angeles 5A, so you get a thin grip with full length reach, not a short stick.
Sources (9)
Longer than an average 7A with a small round tip for defined cymbal work.source
"dimensions_length":16.0,"dimensions_diameter":0.54,"tip_shape":"ball"source
Longer than an average 7A with a small teardrop nylon tip for defined cymbal work.source
All Vater Drumsticks are tone and weight matched by computer analysis.source
"name":"Regular Lacquer"source
4.7 out of 5 stars from 254 customer ratingssource
Longer than the average 7A modelsource
only lightweight hickory becomes Big Apple sticks (which are great for fast ride patterns)source
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
First pairSore hands
Zildjian
$15.494.2 from 144 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a 5A with a slightly tacky grip coating that Zildjian says lets you relax your hands.
Skip it if you prefer a smooth, plain wood feel in the hand.
Zildjian's most popular 5A shape with a slightly tacky DIP coating on the grip area, which Zildjian says lets you loosen your grip and relax your hands. Know before choosing that the coating covers only the grip, and one of the two reviews on zildjian.com says the sticks do not grip as much after use.
Sources (10)
The DIP material is a special coating that is applied to the grip area of the sticksource
This allows drummers to loosen their grip and relax their hands.source
Mid-sized shaft and medium taper provide a versitile balance and feel great for any playing stylesource
Diameter: .560” | 1.42cmsource
Length: 16” | 40.64cmsource
Our most popular model. Full-size oval tip produces full tone.source
For me the sticks don’t really grip as much anymore but they sticks are strong and really goodsource
Z5ANDsource
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
First pair
Meinl Stick & Brush (Roland Meinl Musikinstrumente)
$12.994.7 from 27 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a middle of the road 5A in American hickory, weight and pitch matched, with an acorn tip.
Skip it if you want a front-heavy stick for power, since Meinl rates this one medium weight, medium taper.
A middle of the road 5A in American hickory with an acorn tip, medium taper and medium weight, weight and pitch matched, with a tip Meinl says gives full response on cymbals and drums with clarity and articulation. Know before choosing that Meinl sources its hickory from the Appalachian region but makes the sticks in Germany, and that Thomann shows only 27 ratings for it.
Sources (10)
Weight & Pitch Matchedsource
16″source
0.565″source
Taper Length: Mediumsource
Weight: Mediumsource
The Classic acorn tip shape produces full tonal response on cymbals and drums with clarity and articulation.source
Our American hickory comes from the Appalachian region, one of the only places in the world to find this special wood.source
Finally, Meinl sticks are proudly made in Germany.source
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
First pair
Millenium, Thomann's own brand
$2.054.0 from 2,728 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a maple 5A, a lighter and less dense wood than hickory, from Thomann's own brand.
Skip it if you hit hard or play cymbal heavy, where Thomann reviewers report the maple wears out quickly.
Thomann's own brand 5A in maple, 402 mm long and 14.9 mm thick with a tear shaped wood tip, so it is a little shorter and thicker than the 16 in by 0.565 in Meinl Standard 5A. Know before choosing that maple is a lighter and less dense wood than hickory, and Thomann reviews include reports of these sticks wearing out fast on crashes and hi-hats.
Sources (9)
Material: Maple woodsource
Length: 402 mmsource
Body: Ø 14,9 mmsource
45,5 gsource
4.0 out of 5 stars from 2728 customer ratingssource
as soon as you hit a crash or hi-hat, these things disintegrate in a few minutessource
Millenium is Thomann's own brand.source
A much lighter and less dense wood than hickory.source
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Loud and durableSore hands
AHEAD (Big Bang Distribution)
$34.994.5 from 332 reviews, Musician's Friend
Pick it if you want worn covers and tips swapped on an aluminum core stick instead of buying a new pair.
Skip it if you want the feel and sound of a wood stick, which some Thomann reviewers say these do not match.
An aluminum core 5A with a replaceable polyurethane cover and screw-on tip that AHEAD says has 50% less shock and lasts 6 to 10 times longer than wood, so worn parts are swapped rather than the whole pair. Know before choosing that it is thinner than the wood 5As here at 0.540 in, the same as Vater's Manhattan 7A, and some Thomann reviewers find it heavier and less natural in the hand than wood.
Sources (16)
Last 6 to 10 times longer than wood drumstickssource
50% less shock than wood drumstickssource
5% more rebound than wood drumstickssource
High precision alloy core guarantees consistent weight and balance variations of less that 1%source
Replaceable covers, tips and ringssource
High quality, unbreakable nylon tip provides a brighter, more articulate soundsource
0.540 inchessource
53 gramssource
8 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Method
Where the facts come from. Every spec, feature tick and claim comes from the maker's own page, a store listing, a manual or a retailer's spec sheet, read on 2026-10-07, and the exact words relied on are kept with each row (open "Sources" on any card). Retail ratings are the retailer's own count on that date. A feature is marked yes only when one of those sources says it; when none does, it is shown as unknown rather than as no.
How it was checked. Every row was researched once and then handed to a second, independent pass whose only job was to break it: open the same pages, check every spec, every tick, every rating and every quote. Rows it could not confirm were corrected, marked unknown, or dropped before publishing.
What this page does not measure yet. We have not weighed or measured these sticks ourselves. The numbers are the makers' own, and makers measure differently, which is part of why the same size name means different sticks. A measured table, with weight per stick and the difference inside a pair, needs the sticks in hand, and this page will say so when it has it.
Prices. Every price is in US dollars, read on 2026-10-07 on the store or page named next to it, with a link: Sweetwater, Musician's Friend or the maker's own store for gear and books, the US App Store's in-app purchase list or the maker's pricing page for apps. When a maker sells for less on its own website than in the app, both are shown. Prices change, so the date is part of the fact: check the store before you buy. Nothing on this page is an affiliate link.
Photos. Product photos and icons belong to their makers and publishers, taken from their own pages to show which product a card is about. Each card names its source; a maker who wants a photo removed can write to support@upbeat.studio.
Questions drummers ask about drumsticks compared: sizes, woods and tips, by how you play.
A 7A is thinner, usually a little shorter and lighter than a 5A from the same maker, which suits jazz, quieter playing and smaller hands. A 5A is the middle size most beginners start with. The difference is real within one brand; across brands the same name can mean a different stick, which is why the table lists each maker's own length and diameter.
The convention most makers follow is that a lower number means a thicker stick, so a 2B is thicker than a 5B, and a 5A is thicker than a 7A. The letter is older history: A sticks were lighter, B sticks heavier. None of it is a standard, and makers size their sticks differently, so read the length and diameter, not only the name.
Start with a 5A in hickory from a maker that matches its pairs, play it for a few weeks, and then adjust: thinner if your hands feel crowded or you play quietly, thicker if you play loud or the stick feels lost in your hand. The first-pair chip filters the table to that safe start.
Hickory is the default because it bends a little and absorbs shock. Maple is lighter and suits a light touch and small hands. Oak is denser and heavier and lasts longer under hard playing, at the cost of more shock to the hands. The Wood column shows what each stick is made of.
Nylon tips do not chip and sound brighter on cymbals; wood tips sound warmer and can splinter on hard cymbal work. On rubber pads and e-kit cymbals, check what the kit maker recommends. Several sticks in this table come in both; the Tip column says which.
Less than technique, more than people think. A stick that is too heavy or too thick for your hands makes you squeeze, and squeezing is what makes hands hurt. If your hands are sore, a lighter or better-balanced stick can help, and a lesson on grip will help more.
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