A grip size chart, how to measure your grip at home and what the numbers on a racket mean.
When you buy a racket you’ll see lots of numbers on it: grip size, head size, weight, length. In this article we explain the grip size, the measurement people most often get wrong, and how to read the others.
Grip size chart
| Europe | US (inches) | Circumference (approx. mm) |
|---|---|---|
| L0 / 0 | 4 | ~102 |
| L1 / 1 | 4 1/8 | ~105 |
| L2 / 2 | 4 1/4 | ~108 |
| L3 / 3 | 4 3/8 | ~111 |
| L4 / 4 | 4 1/2 | ~114 |
| L5 / 5 | 4 5/8 | ~117 |
As a general tendency, many adult women play with L1–L2 and many adult men with L2–L4, but hand sizes vary, so measuring is best.
How to measure your grip size
Ruler method
- Open the hand you hold the racket with, fingers together.
- Measure from the middle crease of your palm to the tip of your ring finger.
- The result (in inches) is roughly your grip size; find its equivalent in the chart.
Finger method
Hold the racket with a forehand grip. If you can slide the index finger of your other hand into the gap between your fingertips and palm, the size is right. If your finger doesn’t fit, the handle is too small; if there’s a lot of room, it’s too big.
If you’re between sizes
Choose the smaller one. An overgrip makes the handle about half a size thicker, while making a big handle thinner is much harder. A handle that’s far too small, however, makes you squeeze the racket too hard, which can lead to arm fatigue.
How to read the other measurements
| Measurement | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Head size | 100 in² / 645 cm² | The strung surface area; the bigger it is, the more forgiving |
| Weight | 285 g (unstrung) | Weight without strings and grip; stringing adds about 15–20 g |
| Length | 27 in / 68.6 cm | Adult standard; at most 29 in under the rules |
| Balance | 32 cm or “4 pts HL” | How the weight is distributed; HL = head light |
| String pattern | 16x19 | Number of vertical x horizontal strings; an open pattern (16x19) gives more spin, a dense one (18x20) more control |
| Tension | 22–26 kg | The manufacturer’s recommended string tension range |
We explain how to choose these measurements for your level in how to choose a tennis racket.