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Calcimator

Tennis String Tension Calculator

Get a recommended string tension based on your racquet head size, string type, playing style, and skill level.

Inputs

Results

Recommended tension (lbs)

50.3

Recommended tension (kg)22.8
Range low (lbs)48.3
Range high (lbs)52.3
Tension loss in 24 hrs (lbs)5
Stringbed stiffness index42.8
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Head size (sq in) and choose your String Type (Natural Gut, Multifilament, Synthetic Gut, Polyester, or Kevlar).
  2. Set Playing Style and Skill Level.
  3. Adjust Playing altitude (ft) and Arm/elbow issues as needed.
  4. Review the Recommended tension (lbs) result.
  5. Use Recommended tension (kg), Range low (lbs), Range high (lbs), Tension loss in 24 hrs (lbs), and Stringbed stiffness index to inform your decision.

How the result changes with Head size (sq in)

Head size (sq in)Recommended tension (lbs)
9048.1
10150.5
11453.4
12656

What each input means

Head size (sq in)
Racquet head size in square inches (85-130). Found on the racquet throat.
String Type
Type of string material.
Playing Style
Your primary style of play.
Skill Level
Your tennis skill level.
Playing altitude (ft)
Elevation in feet. Above 3,000 ft the ball travels faster; tension is adjusted up.
Arm/elbow issues?
Set to 1 if you have tennis elbow or arm pain. Tension is reduced for comfort.

What each result means

Recommended tension (lbs)
Optimal string tension in pounds.
Recommended tension (kg)
Same tension converted to kilograms.
Range low (lbs)
Lower end of the recommended range.
Range high (lbs)
Upper end of the recommended range.
Tension loss in 24 hrs (lbs)
Estimated tension drop in the first 24 hours after stringing.
Stringbed stiffness index
Combined stiffness rating (higher = stiffer feel, less power).

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Head size (sq in) = 100, String Type = 3, Playing Style = 1, Skill Level = 2 = 6 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Recommended tension
    Recommended tension = max(40, min(70, recommendedLbs))
    50.3 = 50.3
  3. Calculate Recommended tension
    Recommended tension = round(clampedLbs * 0.4536 * 10) / 10
    22.8 = 22.8
  4. Calculate Range low
    Range low = max(40, round((clampedLbs - 2) * 10) / 10)
    48.3 = 48.3

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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