Standard Specifications of a Badminton Racket

All brands and models of badminton rackets have similar components: head, throat, shaft, handle and string bed. They are also designed and manufactured within certain rules and specifications. There are specific rules for the length, head width, hitting surface and string pattern, and badminton rackets are made with a limited number of grip sizes and a specific range in weight.

  1. Length

    • According to the International Badminton Federation, the overall length of a badminton racket cannot be longer than 680 mm (26 3/4 inches); this includes the handle.

    Head

    • There are two basic head shapes for a badminton racket: isometric and classic. The isometric shape is slightly wider than the classic and the classic is oval, as in the shape of an egg. Regardless of the shape, the overall length of the head cannot exceed 290 mm (11 7/16 inches) and the width cannot exceed 230 mm (9 1/16 inches).

    Hitting Surface

    • The string bed or hitting surface cannot be larger than 280 mm (11 inches) in length and 220 mm (8 5/8 inches) in width. This surface must be flat and strung in a crossed string pattern. The strings are connected to the frame and the pattern must be uniform. This means that the squares created by the crossed string pattern cannot be any smaller in the middle than in other areas of the string bed.

    Grip

    • There are typically four different grip sizes. Japanese companies use a system of G2, G3, G4 to G5, G2 being the largest size and G5 the smallest. This system is also used in other countries, but reversed with G5 being the largest size and then there are others who simply use small, medium and large.

    Weight

    • Badminton rackets can weigh as little as 70 grams and as much as 100 grams.The most common weights are between 80 and 90 grams. Some racket manufacturers distinguish between these weights by using a system of 1U, 2U, 3U, and 4U, with 1U being the heaviest and 4U the lightest.

    Construction

    • Not all badminton racket frames are made with the same materials. Some of the more common materials used are aluminum, steel, ceramic, carbon fiber or any combination of these.