Table Tennis Table Dimensions: Net, Lines and Edge Versus Side

In table tennis the table has exact parameters that decide what is still a good ball. The argument over the edge and the side of the table is settled by a single sentence in the ITTF Laws. Here it all is in one place, from the dimensions of the surface to the thickness of the racket covering. For how scoring works at the table, see table tennis rules.

Playing surface

The surface must be horizontal (2.1.1), uniformly dark and matt (2.1.4). The net divides it into two equal courts parallel to the end lines (2.1.5), so each works out at 1.37 × 1.525 m.

The centre line is parallel to the side lines and the Laws regard it as part of both right half-courts (2.1.6). In singles it has no significance; in doubles it decides whether a serve is good. More in the article on table tennis doubles.

Edge or side?

Law 2.1.2 says just one thing: the playing surface does not include the vertical sides of the tabletop. The lines along the edges, on the other hand, are part of the surface (2.1.4).

In practice that means:

• A ball that touches the top edge of the table has hit the playing surface. It is good.
• A ball that hits the side of the tabletop below the edge has not hit the playing surface. The player who struck it has not made a good return and the opponent gets the point (2.10.1.2).

Net and posts

• The top of the net is 15.25 cm above the playing surface along its whole length (2.2.3).
• The posts are 15.25 cm high and their outside limits are 15.25 cm outside the side line (2.2.2).
• The bottom of the net is as close as possible to the playing surface (2.2.4).

The outside limits of the posts are 1.525 m + 2 × 15.25 cm = 1.83 m apart (2.2.2). The Laws do not state the length of the net itself.

Touching the net is treated strictly in the Laws. If during a rally you touch the net with your body, racket or clothing, you lose the point (2.10.1.10). The same applies if you move the table (2.10.1.9) or touch the playing surface with your free hand (2.10.1.11). And a ball that, after the opponent's stroke, passes through the net, between the net and a post or under the net is not good. The point goes to the player it was heading for (2.10.1.5).

Ball and racket

The Laws also cover what you play with.

• The ball is 40 mm in diameter, weighs 2.7 g and is white or orange, matt (2.3.1 to 2.3.3).
• Wood makes up at least 85% of the thickness of the blade (2.4.2).
• Pimpled rubber covering is no thicker than 2.05 mm, sandwich rubber no thicker than 4.05 mm (2.4.3).
• One side of the racket is black, the other a bright colour (2.4.6).

Typical situations at the table

The ball clipped the edge and flew off sideways. Good ball; the edge is part of the surface. Bad luck for the opponent.

Your opponent struck a ball that hit the side of the table and dropped to the floor. Point to you; the side is not the playing surface (2.1.2, 2.10.1.2).

Your opponent leaned on the table with the free hand during a smash. Point to you (2.10.1.11).

Your opponent struck a ball that passed between the net and the post. It is not a good return and the point goes to you (2.10.1.5).

Did you know?

• The height of the net and the overhang of the posts are the same number, 15.25 cm (2.2.2, 2.2.3).
• The bounce is measured with a standard ball dropped from 30 cm and should be around 23 cm (2.1.3).
• The end line is only 1.525 m long, but the Laws regard it as extending indefinitely. Details in the article on the table tennis serve.
• The covering thicknesses in the Laws are 2.05 and 4.05 mm, not 2 and 4 (2.4.3).