Standard Pool Table Sizes: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re thinking about getting a pool table for fun at home, it’s a good idea to know about different pool table sizes. There are various sizes that work well for different reasons. Nobody wants to buy a pool table that doesn’t fit nicely in a room for playing. This article will give you information about how big the room should be, the different sizes of tables, and how long the cues are. You’ll learn all you need to know about standard pool table sizes.
Pool Table Sizes
When you search online for pool table sizes, you’ll find various measurements like 6, 7, 8, and 9-foot tables. People might also mention “regulation pool table” for these sizes. If this sounds a bit puzzling, don’t fret. It’s actually quite simple to understand. Once you learn about the regular sizes and how they’re usually used, you can choose the pool table size that suits you best.
Regulation Pool Table Sizes
Let’s start by discussing what a “regulation” pool table means.
A regulation pool table is a table where the length of the playing surface is twice as big as its width. This means the size of the table can vary, but the playing surface must have the right measurements. For example, if the table is 44 inches wide, it should be 88 inches long to be called “regulation.”
Many pool tables are built with standard measurements, but it’s important to double-check before buying. Surprisingly, practicing on a table that isn’t regulation-sized can make it more challenging to switch to a proper one later on. This is because the dimensions are different, even if it’s just a small difference.
Standard Home Size Pool Tables
The most common size of pool tables for home use is 8 feet long. These tables measure 8 feet by 4 feet and have a playing area that is 88 inches by 44 inches. These tables are like the Goldilocks choice - not too big and not too small. They are just the right size for places like man caves, recreation rooms, or garages that have been turned into game spaces.
There are also 8-foot-plus tables, sometimes called 8-foot pro tables. These tables have a playing area that measures 92 inches by 46 inches. They are good for people who want to play on a bigger table but don’t have enough space for a 9-foot table.
Standard Bar Size Pool Tables
To make money, bars often put a lot of pool tables in their space. They usually choose the smaller 7-foot tables. These tables might need coins to play sometimes. The regular bar table size is 7 feet long and 3.5 feet wide. The part where you play, called the playing surface, is 78 inches long and 39 inches wide.
These tables are 2 feet smaller than the ones used in big tournaments. So, they’re a bit small for serious or really good players. But if you just play for fun and don’t have much space, a 7-foot table is way better than no table.
Some bars even have bigger tables that are 82 inches long and 41 inches wide. These are for people who want a bit more space to play.
Standard Tournament Size Pool Tables
Tournament tables that are commonly used measure 9 feet in length and 4.5 feet in width. The playing surface of these tables is 100 inches by 50 inches. Professional players use these tables for practicing and competing in tournaments. However, they might be too big for most homes.
If you’re really committed to playing in tournaments and aiming to win money with your cue skills, then a 9-foot table would be a good choice.
Smaller Size Pool Tables and Mini Pool Tables
Let’s talk about different sizes of pool tables. The ones we talked about earlier are bigger, but there are smaller ones too. You can find 6-foot pool tables that are not very expensive and can be moved around easily. If you’re used to playing on a small table at a bar or a pool hall, a 6-foot table might feel strange. But if you just want to have fun with kids and play sometimes, a 6-foot table is better than nothing.
There are also other sizes of pool tables:
- 4-foot Tables: These are great for kids who want to play pool. But they’re a bit too small for adults to enjoy playing on.
- Tabletop and Miniature Tables: These are even smaller tables that come in various sizes. Some are called tabletop tables because they’re meant to sit on top of a regular table. Others have different games like air hockey, ping pong, or foosball that you can change. These tables are made for kids to have fun.
What Size Pool Table is Right for You?
To choose the right table size, think about not only the table’s dimensions but also the length of the sticks you’ll use to play. Regular sticks for pool are around 57” or 58” long. However, they make shorter ones, about 48” long, for kids, and longer ones, up to 61” for tall people. You should measure based on the longest stick you’ll play with.
For most people, a 58” stick is good. It involves a little bit of math, but it’s not too hard. Here’s a simple math trick to help you figure out the size you need:
- Table’s length plus (+) stick’s length times (*) 2 = Total length of the room you need.
- Table’s width plus (+) stick’s length times (*) 2 = Total width of the room you need.
Room Size Required for Different Pool Table Sizes
It’s important to measure not only the table but also understand the size of the room you’ll need.
The sizes mentioned below can help you, but remember that everyone has their own way of playing pool. So, what’s enough space for you might not be for someone else. It’s a good idea to make sure you have extra room. If you feel like an 8-foot table is a bit too big, you might want to choose a 7-foot one. Trust me, having too much space around the table is better than having too little.
| Table Size | Playing Surface | Room Size* |
|---|---|---|
| 7-foot | 78” x 39” | 16’ x 13’ |
| 8-foot | 88” x 44” | 17’ x 13.5’ |
| 9-foot | 100” x 50” | 18’ x 14’ |
*Based on a 57” cue length.
When measuring, consider anything that might be in the way. Ideally, try to clear the whole area of anything that could be blocking it. This includes tables, chairs, couches, appliances, and more.
How to Measure a Pool Table
The big pool tables called 7-foot tables are not actually 7 feet long for playing. We care about the space you play on, not the whole table size. You only use the cue on the playing part, not the sides. To find out how big your table is, just measure the width between the bumpers. Different table makers have slightly different parts, so measure the playing area. Don’t measure under the bumpers or into the pockets because that won’t be right.
The playing length is twice the width. So you don’t have to measure the length unless you want to.
Here are the widths for different tables:
- 7-foot: around 39” to 40”
- 8-foot: 44”
- Bigger 8-foot (pro): 46”
- 9-foot (for tournaments): 50”
If you’re not sure about your table size, use a measuring tape to measure between the rails at the end of the table. Then double that number to know the length. It’s easy to measure a pool table this way.
Conclusion
Pool tables come in various sizes, and the most common ones are 7-foot, 8-foot, and 9-foot long. They also have smaller 6-foot portable tables and special tables made for kids. If you have enough space and like to play sometimes, an 8-foot table is a good choice because it’s not too big or too small. People who are used to playing on bar tables might want a 7-foot one. But if you want to play like a pro, a 9-foot table is best.
The part of the table where you play is twice as long as it is wide. This size matters when you’re figuring out how big the room should be, along with how long your cue (the stick you hit the balls with) is.
Having a pool table is a nice thing to have. It can give you a lot of fun, whether you’re a kid or an adult. If you’re interested in getting a pool table for less than $1,000, you can read my article about the best options. Thanks for reading!