Browsing: Size

Table Tennis

Table Tennis Room Size, Court and Table Dimensions

↓ All pages in this section ↓

Do you know what table tennis room size dimensions you need to have?
It’s probably more than you think…

Table tennis room size dimensions

Compared to most other sports, the minimum size requirements for playing table tennis are relatively small. Therefore the game can be played almost anywhere.

But just because you can play table tennis in small spaces, it doesn’t mean that you should.

Ideally, table tennis should be played in a dedicated space with appropriate facilities permanently available. However, that’s not always possible.

The main factor in determining what table tennis room size you’ll need will be the standard / level of competition being played.

So let’s take a look at the various room sizes required for different standards / levels of table tennis competition.

Need your questions about the Rules and Regulations answered SIMPLY and CLEARLY?
Take a look at this fully up-to-date downloadable book. You’ll find everything you need.
Get all the details here…

Click Here For Details

Get my downloadable books here

^ Top of page ^

So what table tennis room size do you need? It’s probably more than you think…

Playing area

These are the minimum size dimensions you’ll need for the playing area (this means the area required for one table tennis table),
based on the standard of competition being played…

  • International Events, World Championships & Olympic Games
    14m x7m (46 feet x 23 feet)
  • National tournaments
    12m x 6m (40 feet x 20 feet)
  • National league / Representative matches
    10m x 5m (33 feet x 16 feet 6 inches)
  • Local league / Local tournaments
    9m x 5m (30 feet x 16 feet 6 inches)
  • Recreational play / Coaching
    8.5m x 4m (28 feet x 13 feet)


Table Deals

Of course, if you want to play table tennis at home you could use any space that will accommodate a table tennis table.

However, any area smaller than the recommended size of 8.5m x 4m (28 feet x 13 feet) will mean that you’ll be restricted in either the type of strokes you can use and/or your style of play.

But remember, the idea is to HAVE FUN, so if you’ve only got a restricted space available but you still want to play, just adapt your style.

Need your questions about the Rules and Regulations answered SIMPLY and CLEARLY?
Take a look at this fully up-to-date downloadable book. You’ll find everything you need.
Get all the details here…

Here’s a reminder of the table tennis table size dimensions…

9 feet (2.74m) long,
5 feet (1.525m) wide and
2 feet 6 inches (76cm) high

… and the net is

6 feet (1.83m) long and
6 inches (15.25 cm) high.

Size dimensions of a table tennis table

Click Here For Details

Get my downloadable books

^ Top of page ^

Of course, the size dimensions of the playing area are very important, but something else that’s often overlooked is…

Lighting and Ceiling Height

Uniform lighting over the whole of the playing area is essential.

Table tennis room lighting
by courtesy of the ITTF

In my experience, lots of venues which are used for table tennis don’t have any specialist lighting.

Instead, they rely solely on general room lighting which is just not good enough. Consequently, many venues are too dark.

The minimum light intensity over the whole of the playing surface (measured at the table surface height) and the clear height from the
floor to the light should be as follows:

  • World Championships & Olympic Games
    1,500 lux
    5m (16 feet 6 inches) above the floor
  • Other International and National tournaments
    1,000 lux
    4m (13 feet) above the floor
  • National league / Representative matches
    500 lux
    3m (10 feet) above the floor
  • Local league / Local tournaments
    500 lux
    3m (10 feet) above the floor
  • Recreational play / Coaching
    300 lux
    3m (10 feet) above the floor

The minimum ceiling height will therefore be determined by the lighting criteria, so the minimum ceiling height will be 3m (10 feet) above the floor.

^ Top of page ^

For some players though, something even more important than the table tennis room size and good lighting is the…

Type of floor and/or floor covering

A good floor and/or floor covering is of paramount importance and, as your standard of play increases, it’ll probably become your number one priority.

Whatever type of flooring you have, the most important criteria is that it’s non-slip, because players have to be able to move rapidly and re-position their feet without slipping.

The floor must also be smooth and level and able to support the weight of the table tennis table and the players.

Wooden semi-sprung floors provide the best surface whereas solid concrete and carpeted floors are totally unsuitable.

The flooring must also provide a good contrast between the table top surface and the surrounding areas, both for the benefit of the players and the spectators, so it should be non-reflective.

All the top international table tennis tournaments now use specialist sports flooring such as Taraflex® made by French company Gerflor.

The reddish colour of this flooring, together with blue tables, provides a fantastic setting for table tennis.

Table tennis flooring
Table tennis flooring by Gerflor

^ Top of page ^

However, it’s also important that you have the right…

Room Temperature

Ideal room temperature for table tennis

The ideal room temperature is 15-20○C with a relative humidity of 40-50%.

It’s also important that there’s adequate ventilation because any condensation will make the floor slippery and will cause the ball to slide off your
racket if you’re using reverse rubber.

If there are any air conditioning units, you’ll also need to ensure that they don’t cause any air currents which will deflect the flight of the ball.

Spectators’ comfort should also be considered, but obviously the playing conditions take priority.

^ Top of page ^

Need your questions about the Rules and Regulations answered SIMPLY and CLEARLY?
Take a look at this fully up-to-date downloadable book. You’ll find everything you need.
Get all the details here…

Click Here For Details

Get my downloadable books

And don’t forget about the…

Wall Colour

Wall colours for table tennis
The wall colour is important

The colour of the walls is important because the players need a good contrast between the floor, table and wall colours.

They should be non-reflective and painted with a dark colour up to a height of at least 2.5m (8 feet).

Above 2.5m the walls should be painted a lighter colour so that you get maximum benefit from the lighting.

Also, if there are any windows or other external light sources, they’ll need to be covered up.

^ Top of page ^

And, what if your table tennis room size is capable of being a…

Multi-table venue

If you’re using a table tennis room size that can accommodate multiple tables, they should be arranged side by side rather than long ways.

For example, within a badminton court you can get four tables side by side. This provides enough room for recreational play or coaching…

4 table tennis courts inside a badminton court

Ideally, you should also have a gangway so that you can easily access each court without the need to disturb the other courts.

For more information about different table layouts, see my article here.

^ Top of page ^

If you’re using more than one table you’ll also need some…

Table Tennis Barriers

Barriers between your table tennis tables will be very useful to stop the ball from straying too far and minimise interruptions from other tables.

However, these table tennis barriers must be collapsable rather than solid, so that they won’t harm any player who runs into them.

Ideally they should be about 1.5m (5 feet) long and 75cm (2 feet 6 inches) high and should completely enclose the playing area.

Table tennis barrier

Need your questions about the Rules and Regulations answered SIMPLY and CLEARLY?
Take a look at this fully up-to-date downloadable book. You’ll find everything you need.
Get all the details here…

Click Here For Details

Get my downloadable books

^ Top of page ^

MORE PAGES ABOUT
THE RULES OF TABLE TENNIS

For more information about the rules of table tennis, take a look at my other articles which explain the Official
Laws of Table Tennis and the additional Regulations (for higher level play) in more detail…

The Laws of Table Tennis

Regulations (for higher level play)

General

  • Table tennis terminology
    Do you know your table tennis terminology
    or are you confused by your chops, pimples and twiddles? Here’s a table tennis glossary for you…

Frequently Asked Questions

^ Top of page ^

Source link