Quick answer: Racket and racquet are both correct spellings of the same word. "Racket" is the original English form and the one used in the official rules of badminton, tennis and squash. "Racquet" is a later, French-influenced variant you will still see in brand and product names. In the UK, "racket" is the more common choice, so a badminton racquet and a badminton racket are the same thing.
Racket or racquet? It is one of the questions we get asked most in our shops, usually by someone who has just noticed both spellings on the same shelf. Look through our own product names and you will find a "Badminton Racket" next to a "Tennis Racquet". Neither is a mistake.
This guide from the team at Central Sports explains where the two spellings come from, which one the governing bodies use, and which you should use for badminton, tennis and squash.
Racket or racquet: are both spellings correct?
Yes. Both spellings refer to exactly the same piece of equipment: a frame with a handle and a strung head, used to hit a shuttlecock or ball. Dictionaries list them as variants of one word.
- Racket is the older and more widely used English spelling.
- Racquet is a variant spelling, influenced by the French word raquette.
Neither is more "correct" than the other. The choice comes down to convention, and convention varies by country, sport and brand.
Where the word racket comes from
The word reached English from French raquette, which is commonly traced back through older languages to a word for the palm of the hand. That makes sense: early ball games such as real tennis were played with the hand before strung rackets came in.
English settled on "racket" early on. The "racquet" spelling became popular later, partly because it looked closer to the French original and partly because of its association with the old English public-school game known as "rackets" or "racquets". That is why "racquet" can still feel a little more formal or traditional to some players.
The same split shows up in other sports. In the UK the squash-court game is generally called racketball, and you will find products such as racketball balls labelled that way. In the United States the related sport is spelled racquetball.
Which spelling do governing bodies use?
The official rules of the three main racket sports use "racket":
- Badminton: the Badminton World Federation's Laws of Badminton use "racket" throughout.
- Tennis: the International Tennis Federation's Rules of Tennis use "racket".
- Squash: the World Squash Federation's rules also use "racket".
So if you want the spelling that matches the rulebooks, "racket" is the safe choice in every sport.
Badminton racquet or badminton racket?
Both are used, and plenty of people search for "badminton racquet". But in badminton, "racket" is by far the more common spelling, from the BWF rulebook to the product names of the brands we stock. Yonex badminton rackets in our range, for example, are listed as rackets.
If you are shopping, it makes no difference which spelling you type. A badminton racquet and a badminton racket are the same thing, and our badminton rackets collection covers both. For help choosing, see our guide on how to choose a badminton racket, or start with the best badminton rackets for beginners.
Tennis racket or tennis racquet?
Tennis is where you are most likely to see both spellings side by side. The rules say "racket", and most UK players say "racket", but "racquet" appears regularly in product names. Some Wilson product information uses "Performance Tennis Racquet", and some Head models in our range are listed as a "Tennis Racquet". American English uses "racquet" more often, which explains why it turns up in international product naming.
Whatever the spelling on the box, what matters is the spec: weight, balance, head size and grip. Our tennis rackets collection has the full range, and our guide on how to choose a tennis racket explains what to look for.
Squash racket or squash racquet?
Squash follows the same pattern. The rules use "racket", UK clubs and players mostly say "racket", and you will see "racquet" on some brand material, especially from North America. Browse our squash rackets, and if you are new to the game, read how to play squash: a beginner's guide to rules and kit.
Does the spelling tell you anything about the racket?
No. A product called a "racquet" is not a different type, quality or level of racket. The spelling simply reflects the brand's naming or the market a product was first written for. You can find both spellings on rackets from the same manufacturer, and sometimes on the same model in different countries.
When you compare rackets, ignore the spelling and look at the details that change how it plays: weight, balance, stiffness, head size and grip size. If you are unsure, the team in our shops will talk you through the options in whatever spelling you prefer.
Which spelling should you use in the UK?
| Context | Recommended spelling |
|---|---|
| Badminton, tennis or squash in the UK | Racket |
| Quoting official rules | Racket |
| A brand's own product name | Whatever the brand uses |
| US-focused writing | Racquet is common |
| The UK squash-court game | Racketball |
Our advice: use "racket" for everyday writing in the UK, and do not worry when you see "racquet". The important thing is consistency within the same piece of writing.
Top picks from Central Sports
- Yonex Arcsaber 73 Light Badminton Racket - Yellow (£40.00): an affordable, lighter Yonex racket for club badminton.
- Yonex Astrox 10 2026 Badminton Racket - Navy Blue (£40.00): a value Astrox for players getting started.
- Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ VA Badminton Racket - Viktor Axelsen Signature Edition (£223.00): a premium signature edition for advanced players.
- Wilson Blade 98 16X19 V10 2026 Tennis Racket - Green (£200.00): a popular tennis racket for club players.
- Black Knight Castagnet Ion Canon PS Squash Racket (£119.95): a squash racket from a specialist squash brand.
Racket or racquet FAQ
Is it spelled racket or racquet?
Both spellings are correct. "Racket" is the original and more common English spelling; "racquet" is a French-influenced variant.
Is it a badminton racket or racquet?
Both are acceptable, but "badminton racket" is the more common spelling and the one used in the Laws of Badminton.
Why do some brands use racquet?
"Racquet" is more common in American English and in some international product naming, so you will see it in brand names and product descriptions, even for the same racket.
Is racquet the American spelling?
Racquet is used more often in the US, but both spellings appear in British and American English. In the UK, racket is more common.
However you spell it, the team at Central Sports can help you find the right one. Browse our badminton rackets, tennis rackets and squash rackets, or visit us in Cardiff, Birmingham, Milton Keynes or Hereford.
