Head Size

Head size is the surface area of the string bed, measured in square inches. It is usually the first spec listed on any racquet page, and for good reason: it shapes how forgiving the racquet is on every single shot you hit.

A bigger head means a bigger sweet spot. Miss the center slightly and the ball still goes where you want it. A smaller head rewards clean contact with a crisper, more precise feel, but mishits will let you know about it. There is no right answer here, only the right answer for your game.

Weight

To things to keep in mind with weight: strung and unstrung. Always go by strung weight. That is what you are actually swinging. Strings add roughly 15–20 grams, so if a product page only lists the unstrung spec, do the math before comparing frames.

Heavier racquets push through the ball with more authority. They absorb vibration better, too, which is why players dealing with elbow or arm pain often find them more comfortable to play with over a long match.

Lighter racquets move faster, which pays off on serves, quick exchanges, and anything at the net. The flip side: they can feel unstable when a heavy ball comes back at you, and they tend to transmit more shock to the arm.

Balance Point

Balance point tells you where the weight lives along the racquet's length, measured in millimeters from the butt cap to the midpoint. A racquet balanced exactly at its center is "even." Above that midpoint is "head heavy." Below it is "head light."

Head Light

More mass in the handle, less in the hoop. The racquet feels quicker through the swing and easier to redirect. This is the standard for advanced and professional players who generate their own power and want the frame to get out of the way. Most heavier racquets (11+ oz.) are head light to keep the swing weight manageable.

Head Heavy

More mass in the hoop, less in the handle. The extra weight at the tip does some of the power work for you, which is why head-heavy frames show up most often in lighter racquets aimed at players with shorter or more compact swings. Think about a hammer; almost all the weight is in the head.

Even Balance

Weight splits toward the center. Some players find this the most natural feeling, especially at the net and on serve. It is less common at the extremes of the market but shows up often in mid-range tweener frames. Most tweener frames are slightly head light, giving them a nice tandem of mobility and stability.

Swing Weight

Swing weight measures how heavy a racquet feels when you are actually swinging it. Two racquets can weigh the same on a scale and feel completely different in motion because of where that weight sits.

It is measured in kg·cm² on a machine. A higher number means more effort to accelerate the racquet, but also more stability and plow-through at contact. A lower number means the frame whips through faster, which works well for players with quick, compact strokes or anyone who spends a lot of time at the net.

Beam Width

Beam width is how thick the frame is, measured in millimeters at the widest point. A thicker beam is generally stiffer, so more energy gets returned to the ball at impact. A thinner beam offers more flex, soaking up some of that energy and giving the player a softer, more controlled feel.

Thin Beam (18–20 mm)

This is the territory of player's frames and control racquets. The flex gives you excellent feel and honest feedback on every shot. Power comes from your swing, not the frame. If you watch the pros, most of them are playing in this range.

Medium Beam (21–24 mm)

The middle ground, which is exactly where tweener racquets live. You get some help on off-center hits without giving up all the feel that thinner frames offer. A good starting point for intermediate players. 

Wide Beam (25+ mm)

Stiffer and more powerful by design. A wider beam does more of the work on shots where your swing speed is not doing the heavy lifting. The trade-off is a firmer feel at contact, which is worth keeping in mind if your arm has ever given you trouble.

String Pattern

String pattern is the number of vertical strings (mains) and horizontal strings (crosses) in the string bed. You will see it written as 16x19 or 18x20. First number is always the mains, second is always the crosses.

Open Patterns (16x19, 16x18)

Fewer strings, more space between them. At contact, the strings move more and snap back with a sharp bite on the ball. This is where topspin comes from. Open patterns also give the ball more time on the string bed, which produces a livelier response. The one catch: strings take on more stress with each hit, so they break faster.

Dense Patterns (18x20)

More strings, less movement at impact. The shot comes off flatter, the feel is firmer, and the strings last longer before needing to be replaced. Players who love precision, slice, and clean flat groundstrokes often gravitate toward this pattern. Less spin, more control.

Stiffness (RA Rating)

Stiffness is measured on the RDC machine and expressed as an RA rating. Higher number means stiffer frame. It is one of the most important specs to understand, especially for players who have dealt with arm pain.

A stiffer frame sends more energy back into the ball, so you get more power with less swing. A flexible frame absorbs more of that energy, returning a softer feel at contact and putting less stress on your wrist, elbow, and shoulder in the process.

Grip Size

Grip size is the circumference of the handle, measured in inches. In the U.S., racquets come in sizes 4 through 4⁵/₈, labeled L0 through L5 depending on the brand. Get this right and your hand stays relaxed through contact. Get it wrong and you will be gripping tighter than you should, which leads to fatigue and, over time, arm issues.

Finding Your Size

Hold the racquet in an Eastern forehand grip. Slide your index finger of your opposite hand into the gap between your palm and your fingertips. No room at all means the grip is too small. More than one finger's width of space means it is too large. One finger fitting snugly is the right fit.

Racquet Length

Standard adult length is 27 inches, and the vast majority of racquets on the market are exactly that. Extended frames run up to 29 inches and add a bit of leverage on serves and groundstrokes, at the cost of some adjustment time. On the junior side, racquets scale down from 17 inches based on a child's height and age, so there is a right size for every stage of the game.

Junior Racquet Lengths

Adult Racquet Lengths

How to Put It All Together

You now know more about racquet specs than most players ever will. Here is how to turn that into an actual decision.