Ball Weight and Size Comparison of Different Racket Sports

Published on 08 January 2022 3 minutes 3 minutes

Recently I was wondering how does a table tennis ball differ based on the weight and size of balls from other racket sports. This is interesting because the size and shape of ball affect the physics of any game and how that particular sports racket is created. Table tennis racket is made of rubber(sometimes composite) but most other rackets mostly use different type of strings or paddles. Let’s take a look at size comparison of other racket sports such as tennis, ping pong, squash, pickleball, cricket etc.

The size and weight affects the physics of racket sports!

Table tennis balls have undergone many changes from size to material. After 2000 Olympics the balls were 38 mm which used to contribute more to spinny game and then the size got increased to 40mm. Recently the table tennis balls material was changed from celluloid to plastic which has changed table tennis to a more physical game which lesser spin. Even other racket sports balls have changed over the years but let’s compare and have a look at the current size and weights of racket sport balls.

Ball Comparison of different racket sports

Let’s take a look at different racket sports balls and their differences.

Sport	Ball Size (mm)	Ball Weight (gms)	Comparison with Table Tennis Ball
Cricket	71.3 to 72.9	155.9 to 163.0	Heaviest and bigger
Golf	42.67	45.93	Heavier and bigger
Tennis	65.41 to 68.58	56.0 to 59.4	Heavier and bigger
Pickleball	73-75.5	22.1 to 26.5	Heavier and bigger
Polo	76 to 89	99 to 130	Heavier and bigger
Pool	57 +/- 0.127 mm	160-170	Heavier and bigger
Racketball	57	40	Heavier and bigger
Squash	39.5 to 40.5	23 to 25	Heavier but smaller
Table Tennis	40	2.7	-

Just for comparison, Badminton shuttle is not a ball but it is also quite light with weight of 4.75 to 5.50 g (0.168 to 0.194 oz). It has 16 feathers with each feather 62 to 70 mm (2.4 to 2.8 in) in length, and the diameter of the cork is 25 to 28 mm (0.98 to 1.10 in).

Conclusion

Squash ball is smallest but it’s not light in weight for sure
Cricket ball is the heaviest , that’s why their is a lot of protective gear in Cricket
- The table tennis ball is the lightest and marginally bigger than Squash ball

Just from the ball size and weight, the sport changes drastically! Isn’t this a wonder of nature :)

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