How Much Room do You Need for a Ping Pong Table?

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When you’re buying a ping pong table it’s important to consider the amount of space you have available for it. Ping pong tables require more space than most game tables. So how much space should you really have for your table?

For recreational players the least amount of space you should have for your table is 19 feet by 11 feet. This will give you adequate space to reach out for those particularly far hits and to back away from the table far enough for the hits with more power.

In the end the type of skill you plan on using with your table is going to be the game changer. Most ping pong tables out there are the same size as a tournament style ping pong table but each player needs a different amount of space depending on how good they are at controlling the ball.

When you watch a professional tournament their ping pong tables are in the middle of a very large arena. Most of the time these players require most of that space. Professional players are often times more than 3 feet away from the ping pong table because their hits have enough bounce to reach that far.

Your official size of ping pong table is going to be 9 feet long and 5 feet wide. You’re going to need quite a bit of space on all of the sides of the table. Player’s need to be able to lunge to the side and run backwards to catch those particularly difficult hits. 

For recreational play, the ideal amount of space would be a 28 x 13 feet space. Local leagues have slightly more experienced players so they require 30 x 16 feet room. A national league should have a room about 33 x 20 feet in size while a national tournament should have 40 x 20 feet. Olympic games have a space of 46 x 23 feet.

When you’re thinking about the amount of space you have you should consider all of the other things included in that space. Players can be seriously injured by other items in the room when their focus is solely on the ping pong ball.

It’s nice to include room for spectators especially when you’re playing recreationally but you need to keep them a ways away from the actual play. This is why most people who own tables either keep them in their garage or their basement where there is an adequate amount of space to store their table.

If you’re playing in a league setting you’ll definitely need to keep spectators away from the table because players are more concerned with the rules of the game. The farther up in professionalism the more room you’ll need to accommodate for the rules. National leagues are very serious about how the players act in the arena and how they move around during a game.

Other Considerations

Other than the necessary space you’ll need to have the best game play there are a couple of other things you should think about when buying your own ping pong table. One thing to think about is the skill level of the people who are going to play it.

Ping pong tables are made with different levels of quality. If you’re looking for a table that is going to be played by your children you probably don’t need a table that costs above $200. If you’re looking to get good at the game then you might want to spend a little more to make sure the table will last you for a longer time.


Even though the size of a ping pong table doesn’t vary too much the design of the tables can. Portability is one other thing that you should look into. If you’re going to need the space for other such things then you should invest in a table that is easily storable and most likely foldable. If your area is going to be dedicated to your ping pong table you can buy a table that is more permanent and usually more sturdy.

The quality of your ping pong table will depend on how often you plan on using it. If you plan on using it often and wish to impress your guests with your great quality ping pong table then there are a couple of things to look for in a table.

Professional players will argue often that a 1 inch thick surface is a very different when compared to a .75 inch thick playing surface. Most people can’t really tell the difference in the bounce but in the end a 1 inch thick surface is going to be less likely to be damaged or to warp over time.

The quality of the table legs also make a difference. Cheap legs can bend over time or come loose from the table. Some ping pong tables even come with leg levelers which can be very handy. Playing on an uneven surface can make a very large difference in the game play.

If you’re buying a used table you should make sure that the table surface isn’t warped by looking at eye level if it’s consistently flat. Keeping your own table from warping can be easy enough. Try to keep it away from moisture or really humid areas. Because it’s made from thick wood it shouldn’t warp very easily but over time you may need to replace it.

Related Questions:

Is There a Difference Between Outdoor and Inside Ping Pong Tables?

Outdoor and Indoor ping pong tables are going to look about the same. They’re going to be the same size and most of them are in the shape of a rectangle unless you order a table that is different. The one thing that might not be the same is the material of the table surface.

Indoor tables are made with a hard wood surface. However, because outdoor tables are going to be facing different conditions they’re going to be made with a more durable material. Most are made with a mixture of metal and wood and have a durable finish on them to protect it from the rain, sun, and other elements.

Which Countries Play Ping Pong the Most?

Countries in Asia or Northern Europe have the most popular ping pong community in the world. China would be the #1 most popular ping pong playing country in the world as well as South Korea. It’s also very popular in places like Germany and Sweden.

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