All guides

Choosing your tension

Tension sets how firm the string bed is: higher gives control, lower gives easy power. Getting it right matters more than buying an expensive string.

What tension is

How hard each string is pulled when it goes in, in pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg); 1 kg is about 2.2 lbs. The stringing machine pulls every string to the tension you choose.

High vs. low

• Higher: a firmer bed, precise and crisp shots; but a smaller sweet spot, more effort needed, harder on the arm, and strings break sooner.
• Lower: a livelier bed, easy power, a big sweet spot, kinder to the arm; but less precise, and the ball flies further.

Try it

Our recommendations

Common mistakes

• Higher isn’t better. While you’re still building your swing, a high tension costs you depth and strains your arm — when in doubt, go lower.
• Never go above the maximum printed on your racket (usually on the shaft or frame). It can damage the frame and void the warranty.

Fine-tuning

• Shots flying long and hard to control → go up 1–2 lbs next time.
• Can’t get depth, tiring, sore arm → go down 1–2 lbs next time.
• Change 1–2 lbs at a time and play a few sessions before deciding.

Mains and crosses

In badminton the crosses usually go 1–2 lbs above the mains; in tennis they’re usually the same, or 1–2 lbs lower. If unsure, keep the booking defaults — we’ll check.

Weather

Strings stiffen in the cold, so some players drop about 1 lb in winter; summer heat makes strings lose tension faster.