Marble Names Explained
A Game by Many Names
Everyone seems to call marbles something a little different — and that’s part of the charm. In the United States, you’ll often hear “mibs” for the smaller target marbles and “shooters” for the big ones used to knock them. You might also hear “aggies” (from agate), “cat’s eyes,” and even “steelies” (marbles made of steel).
In the UK and Australia, “taws” are the shooter marbles and “alleys” or “tollies” might be used for the rest. In Ireland, “marleys,” “dobbers,” and “puries” all show up.
No matter the name, the fun was the same: knuckle down, aim, and shoot.
Size Matters: What the Names Mean
Peewee – ½″ or smaller (≤ 12 mm). These are smaller than standard marbles and rarely used in modern gameplay today.
Game – 9/16″ (14 mm). Often found in older board games, but not typically used in traditional circle games or marble runs.
Mib / Target / Tolley – ⅝″ (16 mm). The most common size for traditional marble games and the standard “player marble.”
Shooter / Taw / Dobber – ¾″ (19 mm). The most popular shooter size, used to knock other marbles during play.
Large Shooter – ⅞″ (22 mm). A slightly heavier shooter that some players prefer.
Boulder / Giant – 1″ or larger (≥ 25 mm). Oversized marbles, often used as specialty shooters or are hand crafted for collecting.
What’s a “Player Marble”?
You may hear people say “player marbles.” That usually just means marbles intended for gameplay, not collecting. They’re meant to roll, chip, and earn their scars — not sit behind glass. Marble Go is designed with that spirit in mind.
Tips for Assembling a Marble Go Kit
If you’re building your own Marble Go kit, start with sizes that make gameplay smooth and enjoyable:
Target marbles (mibs): Use ⅝″ (16 mm) marbles. This is the most popular and comfortable size for Marble Go games and traditional marble games alike, giving you a reliable “playing field” for many rule sets.
Shooter marble: Choose a ¾″ (19 mm) shooter. It’s the most widely preferred size for knocking mibs with good control and accuracy.
Marble Go’s guide walks you through assembling a compact, take-anywhere kit with everything you need for:
Five core games thoughtfully designed for quick setup and compact fun.
A kit that adapts easily to tons of traditional marble games — or new games you invent on the spot.
A small, portable format that fits in a bag or pocket, making it easy to bring along wherever you go.
With just a handful of the right-sized marbles and a bit of space, you can keep the tradition of marble play alive anywhere, anytime.
