Ping-Pong Ball Size Chart

January 19, 2023December 27, 2023 by Egle Goleckyte

Ping-pong balls, or table tennis balls, are spherical objects made of polymer that have been designed for use in sports. Depending on the type of table and preferred playing style, ping-pong balls can be white or orange. While we use white balls in official tournaments and go best with blue or green tables, orange balls are more commonly used for casual games because of their high visibility (skip straight to the ping-pong ball size chart).

A star rating system shows the quality of table tennis balls, with one star showing the softest and most easily broken balls and 3-Star balls showing the hardest balls that are legal for tournament play. With passaging time, the standard table tennis ball has gone from being made of celluloid to polymer, and from being 1.5″ (38 mm) in diameter to 1.57″ (40 mm) (40 mm).

Ping-Pong Ball Size Chart size-charts.com — _{Photo by Ian perain on Unsplash}

The ping-pong ball is the second-smallest sport ball in the world, after the squash ball. Table tennis used to have the tiniest ball of any sport in the world, but in 2000, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) made several adjustments to the size of the ball. Among many balls used in games, the ping-pong ball continues to be the lightest.

If you want to take your ping pong game seriously, you need to get high-quality balls. It’s impossible to play ping pong well without top-notch equipment. Given the abundance of options, picking the right one might be a real challenge. The good news is that we have completed the steps for you. This article contains all the information about ping pong balls that you could possibly need, saving you hours of tedious research. Enjoy!

Jump right into the Frequently Asked Questions

Ping-Pong Ball Size Table of Contents

Ping-Pong Ball Size in inches, Cm, & Mm
Celluloid and Plastic Ping-pong ball size chart
Ping-Pong Ball Weight chart
Ping-Pong Ball – Golf Ball size chart
How to choose the right ping-pong ball size
Frequently asked questions

Ping-Pong Ball Size in inches, Cm, & Mm

Related: Basketball Size Guide

Measurement	Inches	CM	MM
Radius	0.79 in	2 cm	20 mm
Diameter	1.57 in	4 cm	40 mm
Circumference	4.95 in	12.57 cm	125.66 mm
Surface Area	7.79 in2	50.27 cm2	5026.55 mm2
Volume	2 in3	33.51 cm3	33,510.32 mm3

Celluloid and Plastic Ping-pong ball size chart

Related: Sports Ball by Size

Type	Minimum Diameter	Maximum Diameter
Celluloid Balls	39.50 mm 1.55 in	40.50 mm 1.59 in
Plastic Balls	40 mm 1.57 in	40.60 mm 1.6 in

Ping-Pong Ball Weight chart

Type	Weight in grams	Weight in oz
Celluloid Balls	2.67 – 2.77	0.094 – 0.098
Plastic Balls	2.67 – 2.77	0.094 – 0.098

Ping-Pong Ball – Golf Ball size chart

Comparison Factor	Ping Pong Ball	Golf Ball
Diameter	40 mm or 1.57”	42.67 mm or 1.68”
Weight	2.7 grams or 0.1 oz	45.93 Grams or 1.62 oz

How to choose the right ping pong ball size

Size Of Your Ball

Consumers can choose from a variety of ping pong balls in a variety of sizes. Ping-pong balls are typically 40mm in diameter. Even though the accepted standard size has been established, alternative sizes exist.

Balls 38 millimeters in diameter are also readily available. Because of its high spin quality and speed, 38mm has become a popular choice as a standard in several areas. As a result, it’s a superior option over the more common 40mm balls. You may also use these balls with the best TT paddle bags with no problems.

Therefore, the options shift depending on the player’s preferred strategy and technique when using the balls. In ping pong, the 38mm balls are the way to go if you want to spin and speed, while the 40mm option may wait for a bit.

Star Rating Of The Ball

Surely you’ve learned about this ping pong ball quality by now. Performance and function are the two main factors that go into determining a ball’s star rating. In ping pong, each player has a specific ball that they use for specific purposes.

You should first familiarize yourself with the nuances of the star system. These variations will aid in refining your understanding of how to select the balls that are best suited to your needs and circumstances. However, these balls are most effective when used with professional-grade table tennis practice tables.

The balls with a 1-star rating are very soft and may develop molds if used for heavy stroke practice. That’s why they’re ideal for teaching the fundamentals of the game to young children. These balls will all have a standard diameter of 40 millimeters. The average weight is 2.7g.
Balls with a 2-star rating are of a higher quality than the 1-star balls we just discussed. Most players use these balls to practice outside of official matches. We think they’re great for practice, but not for actual games. These balls have a typical weight of 2.7g and a diameter of 40mm. As a corollary, the measurements may vary between brands.
Balls with a 3-Star Quality Rating are the best you can get for serious table tennis competitions. They designed these balls for use in tournaments, so you can play your best under the most pressure.

Accredited or endorsed balls

This fact about ping pong balls is common knowledge among experts. The ITTF has approved some balls for official tournaments. These spheres are a standard 40 millimeters in diameter.

When deciding on a ping pong ball, that is a crucial consideration. They do not include these certified spheres in the directory until they pass rigorous testing. These balls’ quality, substance, and performance have been resolved, and the score is even.

There are several recommended TT balls for new players that have also received full approval. These authorized ball sets feature the ITTF-marked emblem for easy identification. This will give you a better idea of the balls’ quality and standard before you buy them for important matches.

Learn more about Ping-Pong Ball Size (video)

_{Table Tennis : Difference in Ping Pong Balls by eHowSports}

Frequently asked questions

1. Are there multiple sizes of ping pong balls to choose from?

Yes. For a professional competition, the balls must meet certain specifications. Per the existing regulations, their minimum diameter must be 40mm. Formerly, ball diameters were 38 millimeters. The slower pace of play and higher stakes of the rallies resulted from the new ball. We know a table tennis ball with a rating of 40 or higher than what? Table tennis received a new type of ball in 2014–2015, one made of inflammable plastic.

While “plastic ball” is the most popular term, “40+ ball” and “poly ball” are also common alternate names. The manufacturer stamps the number “40+” on the face of these balls to show that they are larger than the regular 40mm celluloid ball size. It is a helpful instrument in differentiating between the two of them..

2. What is the difference between golf and ping-pong balls?

The size of a ping pong ball is comparable to that of a golf ball. The diameter of a standard ping-pong ball has a diameter of about 40 mm and a golf ball has a diameter of about 43 mm, yet their masses are significantly different. The golf ball weighs 46 g compared to the ping pong ball’s 2.7 g. Consider this:
You and your friend each have a bag of the same size and type, and if you both fill your bags with ping pong balls.

Comparison Factor	Ping Pong Ball	Golf Ball
Diameter	40 mm or 1.57”	42.67 mm or 1.68”
Weight	2.7 grams or 0.1 oz	45.93 Grams or 1.62 oz

3. How many MM is a ping pong ball?

The official ball for the game has a diameter of 40 millimeters, weighs 2.7 grams (0.095 oz), and must adhere to strict weight and diameter restrictions set down by international regulation (1.57 in).

4. What does 40+ mean on ping-pong balls?

In modern times, a ping pong ball of 40 mm in diameter has been the norm. Before the year 2000, however, a size of 38mm was considered typical. The ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) proposed making the ball smaller to attract more viewers, particularly on television.

For balls, the ITTF made yet another rule change in 2014. The material of choice for ping pong balls until about 2014 was celluloid. However, because of its severe flammability, this material was phased out of use by most major businesses. The ITTF moved to plastic balls because of the high expense of celluloid balls and the difficulty of storing and transporting them.

Ping pong balls typically are constructed of poly-plastic or ABS plastic. Because of the lower material density, the typical size is now 40-40.4mm, while the standard size is still 40mm. The International Table Tennis Federation approved the modest increase, but we may use only balls within that range in sanctioned competition. Named “40+” because their diameters are just a hair above 40 millimeters, these plastic balls are larger than standard soccer balls.

5. Are all 3-star ping-pong balls the same?

You may be curious about the significance of the stars on ping pong balls. Easily put, higher star counts show better quality. The maximum number of stars, three, is awarded to the balls of the finest quality. It’s safe to assume that 1-star or no-star table tennis balls aren’t up to par.
We can understand them with little effort.

Three stars are the highest possible rating for a ball, and it indicates the finest quality. Ping pongs with fewer or no stars are of lower quality than a three-star ball. Likewise, their costs reflect this distinction.

Disparity in quality
Unfortunately, most manufacturers are to establish their own star-rating standards. That’s why you’ll find a lot of 3-star table tennis balls for sale that isn’t as good as they say they are. There is a wide range of quality in this market, so if you want to make an informed purchase, it’s best to go with tried-and-true names that are widely recognized and respected.

6. Official ping-pong balls

In table tennis, the “ping pong ball” is not standardized. In order to play in ITTF events, you’ll need a 40+ ball that the organization has certified. However, there may be certain de facto “official” balls. This is because certain tournaments have official brand suppliers.

Butterfly will serve as the event’s official sponsor after being selected by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) for the 2021 World Youth Championships. This particular 3-Star R40+ ball might just as easily serve as the standard ball for ping pong.

On the other hand, the Nittaku Premium 40+ is virtually universally acknowledged as the benchmark for the industry. The ball is probably used the most frequently in major contests. Even before the switch to a ball made of celluloid, many Nittaku enthusiasts were of the belief that their ball was superior to all others available everywhere in the globe.

Celluloid balls are not allowed at the Olympics or any other major sporting event in the world. In every competition, we use the current plastic balls instead of the traditional rubber ones.

7. Does indoor ping-pong differ from outdoor?

Yes, and this is most frequently regarding one’s weight. When you play outside, contend with the wind, and even average balls will move in ways that are unexpected when there is even a light breeze. Outdoor ball games attempt to compensate for this. They are visibly heavier, and besides that, they are more resistant to the conditions found outside.

Conclusion

If you were to choose one ball, how would you go about doing so? It all depends on the specifics of your case. Potentially, you have your sights set on the highest level of tournament success. However, most people aim low. You may simply want to improve your game to compete with others, whether against your pals or in a local bar league.

When searching for table tennis balls, it is essential to take into consideration both your goals and your current level of expertise. You shouldn’t be too concerned with finding the one that is the best option overall but rather the one that is the best option for you specifically.

One can buy ping pong balls from a variety of retailers, both online and offline. The best ping pong ball, however, can only be found after extensive quality control.

The shop sells a wide variety of ping pong balls. Therefore, it is crucial that you keep an eye out for all the dimensions, weight, and constructed quality of your ping pong balls, regardless of where you decide to get them. Packs of ping pong balls typically include anywhere from ninety to a whopping one hundred forty-four balls.

However, if you want to play it safe, a three-star ping pong ball is your best bet, since it will never let you down. We are now confident that you will locate a ping pong ball that is ideal for your needs.

Thank you for reading our article. For questions, leave them in the comment box.

Picture in this post is by Ellen Qin on Unsplash