One common mistake people make when shopping for a billiard table is not considering how much room they will need. In general, however long the table is in feet, the width is about half of the pool table’s length.
So, the size of pool tables can range from six feet long to twelve feet long. Likewise, the widths will vary from three feet to six feet. Even if the pool table will fit in the room, you may be overlooking one essential aspect: How much space will you need to use the pool table?
Why Room Size Matters
To play pool, you will need to use a pool cue to hit the cue ball. You need sufficient room to move the pool cue back and forth without hitting the walls or not having sufficient space to move around the sides of the table.
Pool cues come in primarily three different sizes:
- 48 Inches
- 52 Inches
- 58 Inches (Standard Size)
What Size Pool Table Will Fit in My Room?
You can do some simple calculations to get an idea of the maximum size pool table that will fit in your room.
Step 1: Determine the dimensions of the room.
You want to measure the length and width of the room. However, if there is furniture, bookshelves, or other objects along the walls or in the way, you need to account for this by only measuring the open space in the room.
Step 2: Convert the room dimensions into inches.
Take the number of feet, multiply it by 12, and then add any remaining inches to get the total length and width in inches. For example, if your room is 18 feet 6 inches long and 15 feet 6 inches wide, you would multiply 18 by 12 and then add 6 to get the total length. Similarly, multiply 15 by 12 and add 6 for the total width.
So, the room’s dimensions would be 222 inches long and 186 inches wide.
Step 3: Subtract double the cue length from the length and width.
Using the standard 58-inch pool cue length, we double this to get 116 inches. Next subtract that from our example length of 222 and width of 186.
So, the room in our example could accommodate a pool table that was no longer than 106 inches and no wider than 70 inches. If we convert this back into feet it becomes 8 feet 10 inches long and 5 feet 10 inches wide.
Step 4: Select the pool table size that will fit in the room.
Now that we know how much space the room can accommodate, we know that the largest pool table we could fit in our example room, without any restrictions, would be an 8-foot pool table. You have 10 inches left over to spare. So, if your room’s dimensions are 18 feet x 15 feet, you can still fit an 8-foot table into the room.
Step 5: Prioritize comfort and playability.
Once you’ve determined the pool table size that fits within the calculated dimensions, it’s important to consider extra space around the table for players to maneuver comfortably. While you have accounted for cue length in the room’s dimensions, ensuring there’s additional clearance beyond the cues can enhance comfort.
Aim for at least a few extra inches beyond the cue length on all sides. This space can be useful for placing chairs, a cue stand, or simply allowing more freedom of movement during play.
Pool Table Dimensions
Most people will want a regulation-size pool table in their home. Regulation tables are those that have a two-to-one ratio for the length and width. The pool tables you find at your local gaming center or bar are usually 7-foot or 8-foot tables.
So, most people want at least a 7-foot table for the game room but, typically, nothing bigger than a 9-foot table. However, if you want a tournament table, then you would want to opt for a 9-foot table. 10-foot tables are more common for carom billiards, while 12-foot tables are typically used for snooker.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the dimensions for the different sizes of pool tables:
- 6-Foot – 6 feet long and 3 feet wide
- 7-Foot – 7 feet long and 3 feet 6 inches wide
- 8-Foot – 8 feet long and 4 feet wide
- 9-Foot – 9 feet long and 4 feet 6 inches wide
- 10-Foot – 10 feet long and 5 feet wide
- 12-Foot – 12 feet long and 6 feet wide
So, if you have smaller rooms in your home, a 6-foot or 7-foot table may be all you can easily fit into the room where you want your pool table. However, if you have larger rooms, you should consider 8-foot or 9-foot standard pool table sizes.
Other Considerations
One important thing to remember is the playing area will be different dimensions based on the size of table you select. If you want a playing surface that is average size, you would want at least a 7-foot pool table.
Another consideration is the size of the pool cues. If you do not want a smaller table and cannot fit one with a standard size pool cue, you could look at shorter cues to accommodate a larger table.
Last, if you are looking to enhance your pool-playing skills and have the available space, you should consider a larger table, as this will present more of a challenge.
Custom Pool Tables From Blatt Billiards
For further help selecting the correct size pool table for your home, please feel free to contact Blatt Billiards. We offer custom-designed, handcrafted pool tables with a variety of custom features and options to help you choose a pool table perfect for your space.
Call us at 212-674-8855 to schedule your design consultation today!
