Quick answer: Choose a table tennis net by how it attaches and how thick your table top is. Clip-on nets are the fastest for most home tables, screw-on nets grip thicker tops more firmly for semi-permanent setups, and retractable nets stretch across almost any table for travel or dining-table play. A regulation net is 15.25 cm high and 183 cm long.
A table tennis net looks like the simplest piece of kit in the sport, yet it causes more problems than bats or balls. Nets that sag, posts that slip and clamps that will not fit the table are the most common complaints we hear in store. The good news is that choosing the right net comes down to just a few measurements.
The team at Central Sports has put together this guide to table tennis nets and posts, covering the main types, how to check the fit and how to keep the net at the right height.
Table tennis net size and height rules
Under the rules of the game, the net assembly includes the net, its suspension and the supporting posts. The top of the net should be 15.25 cm above the playing surface along its whole length, and the net should be 183 cm long so the posts sit 15.25 cm outside each sideline of a full-size 152.5 cm wide table.
For club and league play you need a net that meets these measurements. For home play, a slightly lower or shorter net still gives a great game, which is why travel and retractable nets are so popular. If you are learning the game, our guide to table tennis rules for beginners explains how the net comes into play on serves and lets.
Clip-on table tennis nets
Clip-on nets use spring-loaded clamps that you squeeze open and release onto the table edge. No tools, no screws, and they are on and off in seconds. That makes them ideal for home tables that double as a dining or work surface, and for public outdoor tables that have lost their nets.
The Donic-Schildkröt Team Clip-On Table Tennis Net is a good example. It has metal, jointed posts that fold away, rubber pads on the clamps to protect the table and stop slipping, and a weather-resistant nylon net that can be tensioned with a threaded cord. It comes with a zipped carry bag and fits tables up to 3.5 cm thick.
The trade-off with any clip-on net is the thickness limit. Measure your table top before you buy; if it is thicker than the clamp allows, you will need a screw-on or retractable net instead.
Screw-on nets and posts
Screw-on (or screw clamp) nets attach with a threaded clamp that you tighten by hand. They take a little longer to fit, but they grip very firmly and generally accept thicker table tops than clip-on designs. That makes them a good choice for a table that stays set up in a garage, games room, school hall or club, where the net is rarely taken down.
When choosing a screw-on net, check:
- The maximum table thickness the clamp will accept.
- That the clamps have rubber or soft pads, so tightening them does not mark the table.
- That the net can be tensioned, usually with a cord at one post, so it does not sag in the middle.
Retractable table tennis nets for any table
A retractable net winds into a housing at one end and pulls out across the table to the other post. Because the length is adjustable, it fits tables of different widths, including dining tables, desks and garden tables, and packs down small enough for a holiday bag.
The Fox TT Retractable Table Tennis Net extends up to 165 cm, uses a pressure-clamp mount that works on smooth and rough surfaces, and fits tables up to 5 cm thick. Its net height is 14 cm, slightly lower than the 15.25 cm used in competition, so it is best thought of as a home, office and travel net rather than one for league matches.
Which table tennis net should you choose?
| Your table and use | Best net type | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Home table, net taken on and off | Clip-on | Maximum table thickness |
| Table permanently set up, thicker top | Screw-on | Clamp range and padded jaws |
| Dining table, desk or travel | Retractable | Maximum length and thickness |
| Small table or desk, children's games | Mini set with suction-cup net | A smooth surface for the suction cups |
| Public outdoor table missing a net | Clip-on with carry bag | Edge thickness of the concrete or metal top |
For very small spaces, the Donic-Schildkröt FSC Mini Table Tennis Set includes a 57 cm wide, 7.5 cm high net that attaches with suction cups, alongside two mini rackets and a mini ball.
How to set up and look after a table tennis net
- Centre the posts. Line the net up with the centre line of the table so both halves are equal.
- Tighten the clamps evenly. Make sure both posts sit square to the table, not leaning in or out.
- Tension the net. Use the cord or adjuster to pull out any sag. A sagging net is lower in the middle, which changes the game.
- Check the height. Measure at both posts and in the middle. For a regulation net you are looking for 15.25 cm all the way along.
- Take it down when the table is folded or covered. Folding a table with the net attached is the quickest way to bend the posts.
Outdoor nets last much longer if they come indoors after play. Even weather-resistant nylon fades and stretches when left out all year.
Top picks from Central Sports
- Donic-Schildkröt Team Clip-On Table Tennis Net - Black/Green (£17.49): tool-free clip-on net with metal folding posts and a carry bag.
- Fox TT Retractable (FTT201) Table Tennis Net (£8.56): stretches up to 165 cm to turn almost any table into a ping pong table.
- Donic-Schildkröt FSC Mini Table Tennis Set - Black/Red (£2.50): mini net, rackets and ball for desks and kitchen tables.
- Donic-Schildkrot Ping Pong Set - Green/Yellow (£3.00): two wooden bats and three balls to pair with your new net.
- Donic-Schildkort 3-Star Champion ITTF White poly 40+ (M608540) Table Tennis Ball (3pcs) (£3.30): ITTF-approved match balls for proper games.
Not sure which balls to use with your net and table? See our guide to table tennis balls explained, and if you are kitting out from scratch, read how to choose a table tennis bat.
Table tennis net FAQ
How high should a table tennis net be?
A regulation table tennis net is 15.25 cm high along its entire length, measured from the playing surface to the top of the net.
Will a clip-on table tennis net fit my table?
It depends on the thickness of your table top. Measure the edge and compare it with the maximum thickness listed for the net. The Donic Team Clip-On net, for example, fits tables up to 3.5 cm thick.
Can you use a retractable table tennis net on a dining table?
Yes, that is what they are designed for. Retractable nets adjust in length to suit different table widths, and pressure clamps grip without screws. Check the maximum table thickness and protect delicate surfaces.
Why does my table tennis net sag in the middle?
Usually because the net has not been tensioned, or the posts are leaning inwards. Re-seat the posts so they are upright, then tighten the cord or adjuster until the net is level.
The right net makes every game fairer and more enjoyable. Browse all our table tennis nets online, or ask the team at Central Sports in Cardiff, Birmingham, Milton Keynes or Hereford to help you find one that fits your table.
