Yes you have a platform on top of which you hit the ping pong ball from one end across to the other end. But can we actually call it the right ping pong table.
What size is that table and is it the right size of ping pong table for you?
As you might already know, Just about anybody can play table tennis. For this reason, individuals of all age ranges and proficiency levels can play the game.
Likewise, the game can be played for both official and unofficial purposes both of which have varying requirements. Of course, when played officially, there are lots of rules and regulations to be followed regarding general gameplay and instrumentation.
Therefore, before you play on any table, it is highly imperative that you know the size of the table so you can determine whether it’s official or unofficial. Consequently, different tables have different dimensions as described at https://pongplace.com/guides/ping-pong-table-dimensions. We’ll talk about this in this article.
Size of Official Ping Pong Tables
The International table tennis federation (ITTF) governs and regulates all table tennis games and activities in major world tournaments. They even organize these tournaments.
The size of any table to be used in an official table tennis game is determined by this body. However, it is for a level playing ground for opponents and players of all categories.
The ITTF requires that the table be rectangular in size with a dimension of 2.74m x 1.525m x 0.76m Or 9 ft x 5 ft x 2.5 ft or 108″ x 60″ x 30″ Or 274cm x 152.5cm x 76cm depending on the preferred units of measurement.
The dimensions are written in the order length x width x height.
As part of the requirements of the ITTF, a standard table tennis table also has a standard required space around the table in the playing court. The playing field should be at least 14 m x 7 m, which is approximately 46 ft x 23 ft around the table.
Size of Unofficial Ping Pong Tables
Playing table tennis at official tournament levels does require playing with tables that are quite large. More importantly, the dimensions of such tables are set in stone and regulated by the ITTF.
When the game is played unofficially with no stakes and merely for recreational purposes, the size of the table used need not be the required sizes by the ITTF. Of course, some individuals would rather have the feel and thrill of playing officially.
However, one would need to consider a lot of things such as the size of the area to place the table, price, category of individuals, etc. when playing unofficially. Most at times, it might be advisable to get tables smaller in size than official table tennis tables.
One of the best options are the ¾ Size Tables. These tables are simply tables whose sizes are a smaller ratio of the standard size tables. The dimensions are still in proportion to the table tenni dies.They often have a length x width x height dimension of 7ft x 4ft x 2.5ft.
Another good category of tables that can be used for unofficial playing purposes are the mini table tennis tables. As the name implies, they are much smaller than the ¾ table tennis tables.
It’s often a very good way to teach young players how to play at an early age. Their sizes range in the market generally. Nonetheless, a table tennis table with a dimension of about 6ft x 3ft x 2.5ft can be regarded as a mini table tennis table.
Verdict
We believe if you were unsure if the size of your table tennis table is the right size before now, then you’re probably with a tape now to measure the dimensions. And of course, you now know what is and what isn’t so you should be able to judge.
Table tennis tables need to be large enough for players to be able to stretch each other and play competitively. This reason is responsible for the size required by the ITTF.
However, many at times, some individuals are not fit to play the game under such conditions but still want to enjoy the game. Mini table tennis tables and ¾ table tennis tables come to the rescue when it comes to those. They give a feel of the standard whilst also considering your own needs.
It is however advisable to practice with the standard sizes I.e. practise like you are in a real game if you intend to play professionally. Adjusting can be really detrimental to one’s performance in major games.
Do well to check the size of your table with the sizes stated to know if it is indeed the right size.
