What tension for your badminton racket?
Power, precision, sweet spot: find the right tension for your level, with a live demo.
Tension is how tightly your string is pulled across the racket. Too high, and you lose power and break more strings. Too low, and you lose precision.
I'll show you how to find the right one, with a little demo so you can see what happens on impact.
Your string bed is a trampoline
When the shuttle arrives, the strings give, then send it back. The lower the tension, the more they give: they do part of the work for you. You get easy power and a big sweet spot.
The higher the tension, the less they give: the shuttle comes off straighter and more precisely, but your swing has to provide the speed.
Tension is given in kilos (kg) or pounds (lbs): 1 kg ≈ 2.2 lbs. Most players are between 9 and 12 kg.
Move the slider to see the strings at work.
What you often hear at the club
“The tighter it is, the harder it hits”
Wrong for most players. A high tension only gives you power if your swing is fast and accurate. Otherwise it's the opposite: the shuttle goes shorter.
“The pros play at 13 kg, so I will too”
Pros hit very fast and always in the centre. At your level, a tension that's too high tires your arm and shrinks the area where your shot comes off well.
“My string hasn't broken, so it's still fine”
A string loses tension as soon as it's strung, then little by little. After a few months, you're no longer playing at the tension you chose at all.
What tension for your level?
Easy power and a big sweet spot: you improve without straining your arm.
The right balance between power and precision. This is where most club players are.
Your swing is fast and consistent: you gain precision without losing power.
For very fast, always centred hitting. The string breaks sooner.
My advice: if in doubt, go for the lowest tension in your range. You can always go up 0.5 kg next time you restring. Choose your string
The area where your shot comes off well
On your racket, there's an area where the shuttle comes off cleanly: it's called the sweet spot. The lower the tension, the bigger that area.
Yellow dots are clean hits, grey ones are off-centre hits. With the same set of shots, watch how the score changes as you go up in tension.
That's why a tension that's too high forgives nothing while your swing isn't consistent yet.
What should make you go up or down
Plastic shuttles
Heavier and slower than feathers. A slightly lower tension (0.5 to 1 kg) feels nicer.
Cold hall
Cold makes the string stiffer. If you often play in a cold sports hall, go down a little.
Thick string
A thick string like the BG65 handles a higher tension well. A thin string strung too tight breaks quickly.
Your racket's limit
The maximum tension is printed on the racket, often around 12 to 13 kg. Never go above it: you could crack the frame.
Every 100%BAD racket is strung in our workshop: on the racket's page, you pick your string and tension, and I string it for you.
See the racketsFAQ
What tension for a badminton beginner?
Between 9 and 10 kg (20 to 22 lbs). You get power without forcing, a big sweet spot, and your arm will thank you.
How do I convert kilos to pounds (lbs)?
Multiply by 2.2. For example, 10 kg ≈ 22 lbs, 11 kg ≈ 24 lbs and 12 kg ≈ 26.5 lbs.
My elbow or shoulder hurts: is it the tension?
It can play a part: a tension that's too high sends more vibration into your arm. Try going down a kilo and using a more comfortable string. If the pain continues, talk to a health professional.
How often should I restring?
For a regular player, every 3 to 6 months, even if the string hasn't broken: it loses tension over time.