Wave Face Height Calculator
Convert swell height to wave face height using the Hawaiian scale and local buoy reports.
Understand what surf reports actually mean in real wave size.
Wave Height Measurement Systems
Surf reports can be confusing because different regions use different measurement systems:
HAH (Hawaiian / Surfer Scale): Measures the back of the wave (from trough). This is roughly half the actual wave face. A “2-foot Hawaiian” wave has a face of about 4–5 feet.
Face Height (Local Scale): Measures the actual height of the wave face — what you see and surf.
Relationship: Face Height ≈ HAH × 2.0 to 2.5
Wave size descriptions:
- Knee high: 0.5–1 ft face
- Waist high: 2–3 ft face
- Head high: 5–6 ft face
- Double overhead: 10–12 ft face
Swell period matters too — longer period swells (12–20 sec) produce more powerful, taller breaking waves than short-period wind chop of the same height.