Regulation Size of Billiard Tables

Billiards has been a popular game of skill in homes, bars and recreational centers for more than 400 years. However it wasn't until the mid 1990s that organizations under the World Confederation of Billiard Sports (WCBS) standardized its rules and equipment.

  1. History

    • Early tables were custom-made and varied in size. This continued to be the norm until the early 1900s when mass-production of billiards/pool tables allowed for a more consistent size range. The commercial sizes used as of 2010 are anywhere from 5 to 11 feet long and 3 to 6 feet wide. Any of these tables may meet regulation guidelines for a particular tournament or game.

    World Pool-Billiard Association

    • The WPA asserts that a regulation table is a symmetrical, rectangle 29.25-31 inches high (at the table bed) and at least 1 inch thick. Either an 8 or 9 foot long table may be used. Additional measurements and requirements are listed for slates, surface level, pocket size, cloth surface and any ball return mechanism.

    The International Billiards and Snooker Federation

    • IBSF uses a playing surface that is 11 feet 8½ inches long by 5 feet 10 inches wide. These measurements may vary by a 1/2 inch in any direction as long as the rectangular shape and symmetry is preserved. The height at the top of the railing is between 2 feet 9½ inches and 2 feet 10½ inches.