Pool Table Room Size Guide

Not sure what size pool table your room can accommodate? Don't worry, you're not alone. That is one of the most frequently asked questions of billiards retailers. This page will help you sort out the options, and help you select the right size pool table for your room.

Pool Table Sizes

First, let's take a look at the basic anatomy of a pool table. The Billiard Congress of America defines a "regulation" pool table as any table that is twice as long as it is wide. For example, a 7-foot table is 7 feet long and 3.5 feet wide.

Standard Pool Table Sizes

There are three "standard" pool table sizes - 7-foot (3.5' x 7'), 8-foot (4' x 8') and 9-foot (4.5' x 9').

Oversize and Other Pool Table Sizes

There are also Oversized, or "Pro" size tables. Generally, these tables are a half-foot (six inches) longer and 3 inches wider than their standard counterparts. An 8' Pro (or Oversized 8') table measures 4.25' wide x 8' long. There are 7-foot Pro, 8-foot Pro and 9-foot Pro tables available. There are also a few less-common sizes available, like 10-foot and 6-foot tables.

We've covered the first half of the equation - now we need to look at the other factor that determines how much space you need.

Pool Cue Length

Standard cues are generally either 57 or 58 inches long. Shorter cues are also available in lengths from 24 inches - 24, 36, 42, 48, and 52 inches are common sizes.

Putting It All Together

Now that we've got the dimensions of the pool table, and the length of the cue, we can figure out which size room you'll need for a certain size of pool table, or which size pool table your room can accommodate without putting holes in your walls.

A very easy way to calculate the rough area needed is to add 10 feet (because a standard cue is 58", around five feet - and you'll need a cue length on each end) to each dimension of the pool table. For example, a 7-foot table would require a space of 13.5' wide (3.5' pool table width, plus 5' cue length added to each side) x 17' long (10' pool table width, plus the 5' cue length again on each end).

Now that I've bored you to death with numbers, here is what you came for - a list of pool tables and minimum recommended room sizes.

Minimum Recommeded Room Sizes

See the picture below for a graphic representation.

• 7' Pool Table
  • Minimum Recommended Room Size is 13' wide x 16' long
• 7' Pro Pool Table
  • Minimum Recommended Room Size is 13.25' wide x 16.5' long
• 8' Pool Table
  • Minimum Recommended Room Size is 13.5' wide x 17' long
• 8' Pro Pool Table
  • Minimum Recommended Room Size is 13.75' wide x 17.5' long
• 9' Pool Table
  • Minimum Recommended Room Size is 14' wide x 18' long
• 9' Pro Pool Table
  • Minimum Recommended Room Size is 14.25' wide x 18.5' long

Here is a visual representation of the three main pool table sizes, and the room required for three different lengths of cues.

Minimum Recommeded Room Sizes - Graphic Representation

Here is a guide reading the picture below. There are three cue sizes pictured - 48", 52" and 58" (standard). Each is represented by a letter:

• A is the space required for a 48" cue
• B is the space required for a 52" cue
• C is the space required for a 58" cue

• A - 11.5' wide x 14.5' long
• B - 12' wide x 15' long
• C - 13' wide x 16' long

• A - 12' wide x 15.5' long
• B - 12.5' wide x 16' long
• C - 13.5' wide x 17' long

• A - 12.5' wide x 16.5' long
• B - 13' wide x 17' long
• C - 14' wide x 18' long

Other considerations

The minimum sizes recommended above are just that - recommended. Many people have pool tables that are too big for their room, and they get plenty of enjoyment out of them. The minimum sizing allows plenty of room for all shots - but the majority of shots don't require all that space around the table - just the shots near the rail where you are shooting straight across the table. You can always get some shorter cues to use for those shots, and still use a full-length cue most of the time.

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