Table Tennis Table Dimensions
(or Ping Pong Tables & their Size)
This article explains the different types of table tennis tables - indoor, outdoor, recreational and competition and gives measurements such as size and height for each of the table tennis table dimensions.
Table Tennis Table Size and Measurements
You will find various different sized table tennis table options available to you. Several sizes of table tennis tables can be purchased including a “mini” or “compact” version and “multi-game” table tennis tables. These are fine to use for fun but it is always preferable to learn on a standard, full size table.
A full size table tennis table will be what is used in competition. It may be important for you to learn play on a standard size to enable you to develop good coordination and smooth strokes. As you play, your body learns. If your body becomes used to a small table, you will need time to adjust your play before being able to reach the same level of skill on a larger one.
Table Tennis Table Dimensions
The table tennis table dimensions used for competition play are for a tennis table that is 2.74 m long and 1.525 m wide. The table is 76 cms high from the ground up. The net height from the table surface is 15.25 cms high. The net should be wider than the table width by the height of the net, so the overhang should be 15.25 cms.
The equivalent table tennis table dimensions in feet and inches are a 9 ft long table that is 5 ft wide and is 30 inches high from the ground up. The net height from the table surface should be 6 inches. The net should overhang at each side of the table by 6 inches or the same amount as the height.
Table Tennis Table Dimensions
The Table Tennis Table Court Size
The recreational playing area dimensions should allow for a minimum of 1m on each side and a minimum area size of 1.5 m at each end although more is preferable. Many ‘garage’ table tennis players cope just fine with this small size “court” in order to stay undercover, but in fine weather wheel out the table to expand their play and allow them to return longer shots.
The International Table Tennis Federation requires an area with dimensions not less than 14 m long, 7 m wide and 5 m high for competitions. No limitations in size or shape are specified by them.
Folding Table Tennis Table For Easy Storage
The table or playing surface is divided into two halves where the net goes. The table surface can either have a green or blue colour. A folding table tennis table or ping pong table is generally light in weight compared to some other game tables, it folds up (down the middle) and can be stored vertically in a garage or storage area against a wall when not in constant use.
Rollaway - Your Pingpong table is on wheels
Many table tennis tables have a roll away feature so that once folded they can be easily pushed to the storage spot.This can be as simple as basic lockable wheels on the legs which also make the table easy to move to different spots when set up. Many have a central wheel structure so that the table can be stored on the non player side, which when folded is shorter so that it takes up less space.
Keeping the Table Tennis Top Clean
Ping pong tables surfaces are generally either blue or green and have a smooth low friction finish on the table top which needs to be kept clean. This is especially true if you sometimes use it for beer pong, you don’t want sticky spills on the surface deflecting shots when you are playing a table tennis game on the table. Such spills will also damage the surface coating, so clean up liquid spills as soon as possible if they occur.
Indoor Table Tennis Tables
Ping pong tables for indoor play are made from a thin chipboard type of material or a Masonite (a type of hardboard) or similarly manufactured timber, layered with a smooth, low-friction coating. This type of sheet substance does not cope well with liquid spills, especially if the surface coating becomes worn or has cracks in the seal . Indoor table tennis tables are prone to severe warping if left outside in rain.
Outdoor Table Tennis Tables
Special weatherproof materials are used for outdoor table tennis tables so that the tops don’t warp or swell. Aluminium or titanium are used in the base to prevent rust causing damage to the structure. Due to this difference in material outdoor table tennis tables are usually more expensive.
Recreational Table Tennis Tables
Recreational ping pong tables are generally much cheaper than competition tables and are of varying quality. Most recreational table tennis table dimensions are standard full size as described above, but compact, mini and multi-game table versions are usually smaller in varying degrees.
Most recreational standard table tennis tables are just fine for basic fun play and practice at home in a stable environment that isn’t prone to damp. The better quality recreational tables are generally stronger and less likely to be damaged by knocks that may cause them to wobble or be unstable, and have a better coating so the surface is less likely to develop bumps or to warp.
Competition Table Tennis Tables
Competition table tennis tables are made stronger and weightier, able to stand up to constant use and hard play. They have a tougher sealed surface with a better quality smooth anti friction coating and a more stable base with a stronger leg structure that is less likely to shift if bumped.
The table tennis table dimensions for competition tables are always the standard full table tennis size as described above.