A guide for WNBA fans
Same players. A few different rules. Here’s what to look for when you switch from the WNBA to international women’s basketball.
The quick answer
The ball isn’t a men’s ball. The main three-point arc is essentially the same distance. The bigger adjustments happen in the paint and on the whistle.
| What you’re comparing | FIBA | WNBA |
|---|---|---|
| Main three-point arc | 6.75 m | 22 ft 1¾ in (about 6.75 m) |
| The corner three | 6.60 m | 22 ft (about 6.71 m) |
| Women’s basketball | Size 6, Molten | Size 6, Wilson |
| Game length | Four 10-minute quarters | Four quarters of 10 minutes |
| Defensive three seconds | No defensive three-second violation | Defensive three-second rule applies |
| Foul-out limit | 5 player fouls | 6 personal fouls |
Three-point line
At the top of the arc, almost nothing changes. In the corner, the FIBA line is about 11 cm closer. Switch the markings below to see where the difference actually is.
The outlined corner above is enlarged here. This is where the straight three-point lines separate. Both views use the same rulebook measurements.
About 11 cm closer in FIBAThe full court is slightly smaller too: 28 × 15 m in FIBA, versus 94 × 50 ft (28.65 × 15.24 m) in the WNBA. Explore court dimensions →
Game ball
Both use a size-6 ball. The World Cup ball is a Molten BG5000; the WNBA uses Wilson. Different graphics and surface construction do not make one a different size category.
2026 Women’s World Cup official game ball · Size 6
View manufacturer’s product page ↗
WNBA official game ball · Size 6
View manufacturer’s product page ↗Molten’s BG5000 has 12 panels: eight orange and four ivory. That gives it a different pattern from the Wilson ball. We haven’t found evidence that the panel pattern makes it look larger, so we wouldn’t present that explanation as a fact.
The calls
In the WNBA, a defender cannot stay in the lane indefinitely without actively guarding an opponent. Offensive three seconds still applies in both.
Watch the defender nearest the rim. If they stay deep, notice whether the offense uses a screen, a cut or a pass to pull them away.
FIBA still prohibits interference, such as reaching through the basket from below or shaking the rim to change the bounce. A whistle or end-of-period signal can also stop players touching a ball that could still go in.
On the next miss, watch when the rebounder reaches for the ball: before it touches the rim, after it touches, or after it moves clear.
One fewer foul to give: a FIBA player leaves after five player fouls; a WNBA player normally fouls out at six personal fouls. Keep an eye on the foul count when a coach makes an early substitution.
What to watch next
You don’t need to follow all ten players. Pick one question, watch a few possessions, then use an animation to check what you saw.
Watch the screener’s defender. Do they step out toward the ball, stay back, or exchange players with a teammate?
Step through a pick and roll →Follow one player without the ball. After a pass, do they cut toward the basket or move away to make room?
See a give and go →Look at the gesture after the whistle. Separate a violation, which usually changes possession, from a foul.
Look up referee signals →The measurements and calls above come from the rulebooks. Ball details come from the manufacturers. Last checked September 5, 2026.