Table Tennis Room Size

Compared to most other sports, the size requirements for table tennis are relatively small. Therefore you can play the game almost anywhere.

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 is the standard / level of competition being played.

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

TABLE TENNIS RULES ... EXPLAINED

Have you got a table tennis rules question?

Well, all your table tennis rules questions are answered in this new book. And if you want to be a serious player, then this book is essential reading.

It contains all you'll need to know about the rules of table tennis, and it's all explained SIMPLY and CLEARLY.

Click here for more details

These are the minimum size dimensions you'll need for the playing area, based on the standard of competition being played ...

• International Events, World Championships & Olympic Games
  14m x 7m (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 and coaching
  8.5m x 4.12m (28 feet x 13 feet 6 inches)
  
  

Of course, if you want to play table tennis at home, you could use any space that will accommodate a table tennis table (9 feet long and 5 feet wide - 2.74m x 1.525m).

However, any area smaller than the recommended size of 8.5m x 4.12m 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.

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

In my experience, lots of places 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
  1,000 lux
  5m (16 feet 6 inches) above the floor
  
  
• Other International and National tournaments
  750 - 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 and coaching
  300 lux
  3m (10 feet) above the floor
  

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 must 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 whilst 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.

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 the 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.

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.

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

Ideally, you should also leave a gangway between the playing areas. This will give you access to each court without the need to disturb the other courts.

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 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 RULES ... EXPLAINED

Have you got a table tennis rules question?

Well, all your table tennis rules questions are answered in this new book. And if you want to be a serious player, then this book is essential reading.

It contains all you'll need to know about the rules of table tennis, and it's all explained SIMPLY and CLEARLY.

Click here for more details

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 in more detail.