Quick answer: Tennis rackets are sized by length in inches. Juniors use 17in to 26in frames chosen by the child's height, not their age. Adults use a standard 27in racket, with 27.5in available for taller baseline players. Grip size is measured separately and stamped L0 to L5 on the butt cap, where L1 to L3 covers most UK adults.
Buying a tennis racket sounds simple until you meet the numbers: 23in, 27in, L2, 100 sq in, 285g. Only the first really decides whether a player enjoys the game. This guide, written by the racket fitting team at Central Sports, covers junior sizing by height, adult length, grip size and head size.
How tennis racket size is measured
When a racket is described as a "23" or a "27", that number is the total length of the frame in inches, from butt cap to the top of the head. It is the most important spec on the racket, because length dictates leverage. Too long and the frame is heavy to swing and arrives late; too short and you lose reach and power.
Junior rackets run from 17in up to 26in. At 26in a player is one inch off adult length, which is why it is the final junior size rather than a category of its own. Anything 27in and above is an adult racket.
Junior tennis racket size chart by height and age
Height is the reliable guide. Two children of the same age can differ by a head or more, so size to height and treat age as a rough cross check.
- Under 100cm (age 3 to 4): 17in or 19in
- 100cm to 112cm (age 4 to 6): 19in
- 112cm to 125cm (age 6 to 8): 21in
- 125cm to 137cm (age 8 to 10): 23in
- 137cm to 147cm (age 9 to 11): 25in
- 147cm to 155cm (age 10 to 12): 26in
- Over 155cm (age 12 and up): 27in adult frame
These lengths line up with the LTA's coloured ball stages: red ball is typically 19in or 21in, orange ball 23in, and green ball 25in or 26in before a player moves to yellow ball. Every size from 17in to 26in is stocked in our junior tennis rackets range.
The one inch test: size a child in 30 seconds
The LTA's rule of thumb needs no tape measure. Have the child stand upright holding the racket down by their side, head pointing at the floor. There should be roughly a one inch gap between frame and ground. More than that and the racket is too short; if it touches the floor, it is too long.
Then ask them to make a slow forehand swing. If the head drops or the wrist collapses, the frame is too heavy or too long whatever the chart said. Juniors usually move up a size every 12 to 18 months, faster during a growth spurt.
What size tennis racket do adults need?
This is the part most junior guides skip. The standard adult racket is 27in and it suits the overwhelming majority of club players of any height. Manufacturers also offer 27.5in extended frames, which add reach on the serve and a little power, at the cost of manoeuvrability at the net and more strain on the arm. Unless you are over roughly 6ft 2in and play mainly from the baseline, 27in is the right call.
Grip sizes explained: what L1, L2, L3 and L4 mean
Grip size is the circumference of the handle, stamped on the butt cap as L0 to L5. L0 is smallest at roughly 4in, rising in eighths of an inch to L5 at 4 5/8in. In the UK most adult women take L1 or L2 and most adult men take L2 or L3. Junior rackets come in a single small grip, so there is no decision to make.
To check, hold the racket in a forehand grip and slide the index finger of your other hand into the gap between fingertips and the base of your thumb. One finger should fit snugly. Between sizes, choose the smaller: an overgrip adds roughly half a size and you cannot make a grip smaller. Too small a grip contributes to arm pain, covered in our tennis elbow gear guide.
Head size and weight
Head size is the string bed area in square inches. Midplus frames of 98 to 100 sq in are the sensible default; oversize heads of 105 sq in and above add power and a bigger sweet spot, which helps improvers. Junior frames weigh 170g to 250g, while adult rackets sit between 260g and 320g unstrung, with 260g to 285g the friendliest range for club players. Compare specs across the full tennis racket range at centralsports.co.uk.
Top picks from Central Sports
All five were confirmed in stock on our UK storefront at the time of writing, covering every step from a first racket to a first adult frame.
- Wilson Slam Junior 21in, 171g - £15.78: the classic first racket for a 6 to 8 year old on red ball. Light, forgiving, and cheap enough that outgrowing it does not sting.
- Yonex Jr 23 2025, 210g - £19.95: the orange ball size for most 8 to 10 year olds, and the stage where rallies start to build.
- Yonex Ezone Jr 24 Hybrid - £45.60: a graphite hybrid rather than pure aluminium, so noticeably more stable. Worth the step up for a child in weekly coaching.
- Yonex Ezone Jr 26 Graphite, 250g - £90.24: the last junior size and the one that matters most. Full graphite lets a green ball player build adult technique before switching to 27in.
- Yonex Ezone Ace 08 2026, 260g - £123.50: our pick for a first adult 27in racket, and the natural graduation from a 26in junior frame.
Frequently asked questions
What size tennis racket do I need for my height? Adults of any height use a 27in racket. Height only sets racket length for juniors under about 155cm, where the chart above applies.
Is a 27 inch tennis racquet for adults? Yes. 27in is the standard adult length and suits nearly every club player. Juniors move onto it once they pass roughly 155cm, or around age 12.
How do I know my tennis racquet size? Length is printed on the frame or listed in the specification; grip size is stamped on the butt cap. If the butt cap is worn, measure the handle circumference: 4 1/8in is L1, 4 1/4in is L2, 4 3/8in is L3.
Can my child use a bigger racket to save money? It is a false economy. An oversized frame forces a shortened, wristy swing that a coach then has to undo.
What size tennis racket should a 7 year old use? Usually 21in, or 23in if they are tall for their age. Apply the one inch test rather than relying on age alone.
Buying the right size, first time
Length by height for juniors, 27in for adults, grip by the one finger test, and head size by how much forgiveness you want. That is the whole decision. Central Sports stocks every junior size from 17in to 26in alongside the full adult range, and our team fits rackets in store every week, so if you are caught between sizes, just ask. Browse junior tennis rackets, the full adult racket range, or add tennis balls and junior tennis shoes.
