Tennis string tension: what should it be?

Tension is how hard the string is pulled and it is given in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb). In Turkey stringers mostly use kg, while foreign sources use lb. 1 kg is about 2.2 lb. This guide explains how to find the right tension and what each change does. For material, start with the string selection guide.

The range printed on the racket

Most rackets print a recommended tension range on the throat or handle, for example 50–60 lb, or 23–27 kg. That is the range in which the maker says the racket behaves as designed. The middle of that range is a sensible starting point.

What low and high tension do

At low tension the strings work like a trampoline: the ball stays on the strings longer and bounces off more. That gives power but makes it harder to predict where the ball will go. At high tension the strings give less and the ball comes off more predictably.

Starting point by material

• Multifilament, synthetic gut, natural gut: The middle of the range.
• Polyester: About 1 kg (2 lb) below the middle. Polyester is stiff and works more comfortably at a lower tension.
• Hybrid: Set each string according to its own material; apply the polyester rule above to the polyester part.

By player

• If you are new or swing slowly: The middle of the range or a little below. The racket gives you power so you spend less effort.
• If you swing fast and fully: The middle of the range or a little above. For a fast swinger, low tension sends the ball long.
• If your arm hurts: The low end of the range. Lower tension reduces vibration. It is not a fix on its own; see the tennis elbow guide.

Strings lose tension

Strings start to relax the moment they are strung. They lose tension fastest in the first 24 hours and then more slowly over the following weeks. Polyester loses it faster than other materials. A racket strung at 25 kg can feel clearly below that a few weeks later.

The practical point: restringing on time matters as much as setting the tension "right". If the racket feels hard and lifeless the tension has dropped and the string is dead.

How to fine-tune

1. Start in the middle of the range on the racket.
2. At the next stringing, try the same string 1 kg (2 lb) higher or lower. Do not change more at once, or you will not know what worked.
3. Take notes: which tension, which string, how it felt.
4. Repeat until you find the range that suits you.

When you change rackets, do not carry the same tension over. A racket with a different head size and string pattern can feel different at the same tension. If you are looking for a new racket, the Racket Finder scores more than 300 rackets for you in a few questions and shows the three best fits.

Common mistakes

• Going above the range because "pros string tight". Pros swing very fast and need high tension.
• Using the same tension for every string. Polyester and multifilament at the same number do not feel the same.
• Telling the stringer "make it tight". Tight compared to what? Give a kg or lb value.
• Going outside the range. The maker sets the range to protect the frame; very high tension can damage it.