This table will help you estimate how big the waves will be based on the deep water swell height and period. It is only a general guide based on a mathematical formula- every surf spot will take different heights and periods differently. Reference: Airy wave theory and breaker height prediction, Komar & Gaughan. 1972
| Surf Height From Swell Height and Period | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period ˅ | 1 ft | 2 ft | 3 ft | 4 ft | 5 ft | 6 ft | 7 ft | 8 ft | 9 ft | 10 ft |
| 6 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 6.5 | 7.4 | 8.2 | 9.1 | 9.9 |
| 8 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 7.3 | 8.3 | 9.2 | 10.2 | 11.1 |
| 10 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 4.6 | 5.8 | 6.9 | 8.0 | 9.1 | 10.1 | 11.1 | 12.1 |
| 12 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 5.0 | 6.2 | 7.5 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 10.9 | 12.0 | 13.0 |
| 14 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 5.3 | 6.6 | 7.9 | 9.2 | 10.4 | 11.6 | 12.7 | 13.8 |
| 16 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 5.6 | 7.0 | 8.4 | 9.7 | 11.0 | 12.2 | 13.4 | 14.6 |
| 18 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 5.8 | 7.3 | 8.8 | 10.2 | 11.5 | 12.8 | 14.1 | 15.3 |
| 20 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 6.1 | 7.7 | 9.2 | 10.6 | 12.0 | 13.3 | 14.7 | 16.0 |
| 22 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 6.3 | 8.0 | 9.5 | 11.0 | 12.5 | 13.9 | 15.2 | 16.6 |