Tennis String Tension Chart & Complete User Guide

Tennis racket string tension chart

Tennis String Tension Chart – Choosing the right tennis string tension is key to getting the best mix of power, control and comfort. This easy-to-use tennis string tension chart gives clear starting points for every string type and player level, helping you quickly find the ideal setup for your racquet and playing style.

String type	Typical tension (kg)	Typical tension (lbs)	What it suits
Polyester / Co-poly	20–24 kg	45–53 lbs	Big hitters, spin players, advanced/juniors
Multifilament	22–26 kg	48–57 lbs	Comfort, power, arm-friendly setups
Synthetic Gut	22–26 kg	48–57 lbs	All-round feel, beginners/intermediates
Natural Gut	21–25 kg	46–55 lbs	Maximum comfort & power, hybrids with poly

String Tension vs Performance: What Players Need to Know

Tennis String Tension Chart – Each tension range produces a different blend of power, control, comfort and spin. The chart below breaks down these effects to help you match tension to your playing style and needs.

Tension Range	Power	Control	Comfort	Spin / Launch	Best For
Low 18–21 kg / 40–46 lbs	High power – ball jumps off the strings more easily.	Lower control – harder to keep the ball down if you swing big.	Maximum comfort – less impact, bigger sweet spot, easier on the arm.	Higher launch angle, easier spin and net clearance, especially with poly.	Beginners, juniors, comfort-focused players, spin-heavy games, or anyone with arm niggles.
Medium 22–24 kg / 48–53 lbs	Balanced power – good depth without over-hitting when you swing properly.	Good control – predictable ball flight for most stroke styles.	Comfortable for most players, especially with multi/syn gut.	Neutral launch – still plenty of spin if your technique is there.	Most intermediates and advanced club players; great “first try” range if you’re unsure.
High 25–28 kg / 54–62 lbs	Low power – you supply more of the pace yourself.	Maximum control – lower launch angle and tighter dispersion.	Least comfortable – smaller sweet spot and more impact on the arm.	Flatter trajectory, great for driving through the court if your timing is solid.	Advanced players, big hitters, flatter ball-strikers, and natural gut / hybrid users chasing precision.

String tension by gauge (thickness)

String gauge (thickness) also affects how your tension feels. Thinner strings move more, bite more, and feel livelier; thicker strings are steadier and more durable. You can keep the same tension and change gauge, or tweak tension to compensate:

Thin (1.15–1.20 mm / 17L–18 gauge)

More spin & feel, less durability

You can string 1–2 kg higher if you want to keep control

Medium (1.23–1.28 mm / 16L–17 gauge)

Best all-round balance

Use the chart ranges as written

Thick (1.30–1.35 mm / 15L–16 gauge)

More durable, slightly deader feel

Many players drop 1 kg to add a bit of life back in

Practical guidance

1. Check your rackets’s range – Look on the inside of the frame (or the manufacturer’s site) for a tension range, e.g. 45–60 lbs. That’s your safe window.
   
2. Pick your string type – Poly/co-poly if you hit hard and want spin/control, Multi, synthetic gut or gut if you want comfort & power
   
3. Choose a starting point – Aim for the middle of the frame’s range for your first try, or use the chart above for your level + string type
   
4. Adjust in small steps – If shots are flying long, go up 1–2 kg / 2–4 lbs. If the racquet feels stiff and under-powered, go down 1–2 kg
   
5. Listen to your arm – If you feel soreness in the forearm, elbow or shoulder after stringing tighter (especially with poly), that’s a strong sign to drop tension or switch to a softer string. 

Common tension mistakes to avoid

1. Stringing poly too tight

A very stiff poly strung at 26–28 kg (57–62 lbs) can feel like hitting with a board, especially for non-professionals. Most modern guides and stringers now recommend lower tensions for poly (around 20–24 kg) for both performance and arm safety. 

2. Never changing tension

Your game, fitness and racquet can evolve. Re-visit your tension a couple of times a year and adjust if:

• Your balls regularly land long/short
• You’ve changed racquet, string type or gauge
• You’re recovering from an arm issue

3. Ignoring conditions

Hot, humid weather can make strings feel looser; cold conditions can make them feel tighter. Some advanced players adjust by 1–2 lbs depending on climate. 

4. Copying pro tensions blindly

Tour players often use extremely low tensions with poly or very specific custom setups. Their racquets, swing speeds and physical conditioning are not typical — treat pro setups as curiosity, not a template.

Final tips: Finding your perfect tension

Using the tennis racket string tension chart above is a brilliant starting point, but the real magic happens when you experiment a little:

• Stay inside your racquet’s recommended range
• Change only one variable at a time (tension or string type or gauge)
• Make small changes (1–2 kg / 2–4 lbs) and notice how the ball flight and feel change
• Prioritise comfort first, then refine for control and spin

If you keep a simple note on your phone (racquet, string, gauge, tension, and how it felt), within a few restrings you’ll have your own personalised tension chart — far more powerful than any generic recommendation.

If you’d like a deeper breakdown of tension ranges, playability, and how small adjustments can transform your racquet, you can read my full guide here. And if you want personalised advice or you’re ready to book a restring, just send me a message — always happy to help.