Find a starting tennis string tension in lb or kg from your string type, power or control goal and playing level, based on Wilson’s stringing guide.
Tennis String Tension Formula or Method
The lookup preserves Wilson’s published material-by-goal-by-level starting band in pounds of force and can display the same band in kilogram-force. Converted kilogram-force values are rounded to one decimal place and marked as approximate.
How the Calculation Works
The calculator applies the displayed relationship or published lookup directly to the visible required inputs and reports one defined result with supporting details.
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose the string setup, primary goal, and playing level.
- Enter or select every visible required input.
- Select Calculate and review the primary result, supporting values, and steps.
- Use Reset before starting a new sample.
Worked Example
Nylon or natural gut, a power goal, and beginner level return a 54–55 lb starting range with a 54.5 lb midpoint.
Input and Result Guide
| Item | How to use it |
|---|---|
| String setup | Choose nylon or gut, hybrid, or polyester. |
| Goal | Choose power or control. |
| Playing level | Choose beginner, intermediate, or advanced as defined by the guide. |
Interpreting the Result
Use the band as a starting guide and stay within the racket manufacturer’s printed range. The arithmetic midpoint describes the center of the band; it is not an individually optimized tension. Pounds here means pound-force (lbf), not a mass input.
Assumptions and Limitations
This is a starting guide, not permission to exceed the racket’s printed range. String gauge, pattern, machine, pre-stretch, hybrid layout, weather, and arm history can materially change the right setup. Wilson separately advises polyester about 2 lb below nylon in a hybrid, but the matrix does not identify its band as either component’s tension. This lookup does not automatically assign mains/cross tensions or subtract 2 lb from the displayed band.
Common Questions
Why does the calculator give a general starting band?
It looks up one of Wilson’s 18 string-setup, goal, and level combinations. It does not measure the racket or account for every stringing variable. Confirm the actual setup with the racket’s printed limits and a qualified stringer.
Will my last successful calculation be restored?
Yes. A successful lookup saves a versioned snapshot of the selected setup, goal, level, and display unit in this browser. The result is recomputed on return without storing result HTML. Other scripts on this site may access saved values. Reset clears this calculator’s saved data.
Sources
Wilson’s String Tension Guide supplies the 18 published pounds bands and separate hybrid guidance. The accessible guide body is undated. NIST’s exact pound-force definition and force conversion factors support 1 lbf = 0.45359237 kgf. The racket manufacturer’s printed range remains controlling.
