High school basketball has some of the strictest uniform rules of any sport. NFHS Rule 3 controls which numbers are legal, how big they are, what colors they can be, and even how wide the side panels on a jersey can be. Since the 2024-25 season, a number can no longer be the same color as the jersey. This guide summarizes the NFHS basketball uniform rules you need to know before you design or order team uniforms.
This is a planning summary. Your state association may add requirements, so check the current NFHS rules book and your state’s guidance before you order.
Legal basketball numbers
NFHS basketball numbers may use only the digits 0 to 5. The legal numbers are 0, 00, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10–15, 20–25, 30–35, 40–45 and 50–55. A team cannot have both 0 and 00 on its roster. Numbers such as 6, 17 or 23 are not legal in high school basketball, even though they are common in college and professional play.
Number size and color
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Front number | At least 4 inches tall, centered |
| Back number | At least 6 inches tall, centered |
| Stroke width | At least ¾ inch, not counting the border |
| Style | Plain Arabic numerals, same style and color front and back |
| Color | A solid color that contrasts with the jersey. The number cannot be the same color as the jersey, even with a border. |
| Borders | Up to two solid ¼-inch borders around the whole number, or a shadow trim up to ½ inch wide with one ¼-inch border |
| Colors in the number | No more than three colors, including borders |
Jersey colors: home and away
- Home team: white jerseys.
- Visiting team: a dark color that clearly contrasts with white. Gray is allowed only for away jerseys and must be at least 70% toward black. Light colors such as yellow or gold do not count as dark.
- Torso: one solid color, with no fabric designs. The back of the torso must match the front.
Because the torso must be a solid color, heavily patterned sublimated designs are not legal for high school game jerseys, although they are fine for practice and club play. A reversible jersey is a practical way to carry a white and a dark side in one garment. See our reversible basketball uniforms.
Where you can add color and design
- Side inserts: centered below the armpit, up to 4 inches wide in total (2 inches each side of the seam), in any color or design, but the same width on every team jersey.
- Armhole trim: trim or piping around the arm openings up to 1 inch wide.
- Above the neckline: no color or design limits within 1½ inches of the lowest point of the neckline opening.
Names, logos and flags
- The school name on the front must sit entirely above or entirely below the number, with no letter closer than 1 inch to the number.
- A school logo or mascot can replace the name, centered directly above the number.
- One manufacturer logo is allowed, no more than 2¼ square inches with no dimension over 2¼ inches.
- One American flag up to 2 x 3 inches is allowed, as long as it does not affect number visibility.
- If your state association adopts it, one commemorative patch up to 4 square inches may be worn above the neckline or in the side insert.
Shorts and undershirts
Team shorts must be like-colored, though different styles are allowed. Undershirts worn under visiting jerseys may be black or one solid color similar to the jersey torso, and all teammates wearing undershirts must wear the same color.
Ordering a legal uniform
When you request a mockup, tell us the uniform is for an NFHS high school team. We will design the numbers, colors and side panels to match the rules, and you check and approve everything before production. Browse custom basketball uniforms, including V-neck and round neck sets, or request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What numbers are legal in high school basketball?
Only numbers using the digits 0 to 5: 0, 00, 1–5, 10–15, 20–25, 30–35, 40–45 and 50–55. A team cannot use both 0 and 00.
Can a basketball number be the same color as the jersey?
No. Since the 2024-25 season, NFHS rules require the number to be a solid color that contrasts with the jersey, even if it has a border.
What color jerseys does the home team wear?
Under NFHS rules the home team wears white and the visiting team wears a dark color that clearly contrasts with white.
Are sublimated basketball jerseys legal in high school?
The torso must be one solid color with no fabric designs, so all-over patterns are not legal for NFHS game jerseys. Sublimation can still be used for solid-color torsos, side inserts, trim and numbers, and for practice or club uniforms.