Tennis Grip Size Guide
Your grip size affects everything — power, control, comfort, and injury risk. Most recreational players use the wrong size because nobody ever showed them how to measure. This guide takes two minutes and saves you months of elbow pain.
Why Grip Size Matters
A grip that's too small forces you to squeeze harder, which fatigues your forearm and increases the risk of tennis elbow. A grip that's too big restricts wrist snap on serves and volleys, reducing control and spin. The difference between the right size and the wrong one is often just 3-5mm — but you'll feel it in every shot.
How to Measure Your Grip Size
There are two reliable methods. Use both and compare — they should give you the same answer.
Method 1: The Ruler Test
Hold your hitting hand open with fingers extended and close together. Measure from the bottom lateral crease of your palm (the line that runs across the middle of your hand) to the tip of your ring finger. That measurement in millimetres is your grip size.
Example: If you measure 108mm, your grip size is 4 1/4 inches (size 2).
Method 2: The Index Finger Test
Hold the racket in your normal forehand grip. Slide the index finger of your other hand into the gap between your fingertips and the base of your palm. If it fits snugly, the grip size is correct. If there's no gap, it's too small. If there's room to move your finger around, it's too big.
This test works best when you already have a racket — use it at the shop before buying.
Grip Size Chart
Australian shops typically stock sizes 1 through 5. Here's the full conversion chart:
| Size Number | Inches | Millimetres | European | Typical Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4 inches | 100-103mm | L0 | Juniors, small hands |
| 1 | 4 1/8 inches | 103-106mm | L1 | Small adult hands |
| 2 | 4 1/4 inches | 106-110mm | L2 | Average female hand |
| 3 | 4 3/8 inches | 110-113mm | L3 | Most popular size (unisex) |
| 4 | 4 1/2 inches | 113-118mm | L4 | Average male hand |
| 5 | 4 5/8 inches | 118-122mm | L5 | Large male hands |
Between Sizes? Go Smaller
If your measurement falls between two sizes, always choose the smaller one. You can build a grip up with an overgrip, which adds roughly 1mm to the circumference. You can't make a grip smaller without replacing the entire base grip — which is expensive and rarely worth it.
This is one of the reasons overgrips exist. A size 2 racket with one overgrip sits right between size 2 and size 3. Add a second overgrip and you're effectively at size 3. It's cheap, reversible customisation.
How Overgrips Affect Size
Every overgrip adds approximately 0.5-1mm to the grip circumference. Here's how the common stacking works:
| Base Size | + 1 Overgrip | + 2 Overgrips | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size 1 | ~Size 1.5 | ~Size 2 | Cushioned, slightly larger |
| Size 2 | ~Size 2.5 | ~Size 3 | Most versatile combo |
| Size 3 | ~Size 3.5 | ~Size 4 | Standard for most men |
Signs Your Grip Is Wrong
Racket twists on off-centre hits
Grip too small — your hand can't stabilise the frame on mishits. You compensate by squeezing harder, which tires your forearm.
Wrist feels locked on serves
Grip too large — there's not enough room for your wrist to pronate naturally through the serve motion. You lose power and spin.
Forearm pain after 30 minutes
Almost certainly too small. Your muscles are working overtime to maintain control. This is the #1 cause of recreational tennis elbow.
Blisters on your palm
Could be either — too small causes excess friction from gripping hard; too big causes the racket to shift and rub. Check size first, then check your overgrip condition.
Can't generate topspin
Grip too large restricts the wrist lag needed for heavy topspin. Players with big grips tend to hit flatter by default.
Choosing the Right Overgrip for Your Size
Once you've nailed down your base grip size, the overgrip you choose affects both feel and effective size. Thinner overgrips add less bulk; tackier ones reduce the need to squeeze. Here's what we recommend:
- If you run hot (sweaty hands): The tacky overgrip maintains hold even when wet, so you don't death-grip the racket.
- If you want cushioning: The dry-feel overgrip is slightly thicker and absorbs vibration, ideal for players prone to elbow issues.
- If you play at night: Our glow-in-dark overgrip adds the same thickness as a standard overgrip while making your racket visible in low light.
- If you want to try different feels: The variety pack includes multiple types so you can compare back-to-back without buying full packs of each.
For a deeper dive on overgrip types, check our complete overgrip guide and how to choose the right overgrip.
Kids and Juniors
Children's grip sizes change quickly. Measure every 6-12 months and don't buy a racket with a grip they'll "grow into" — a too-large grip is harder for a child to control and can develop bad habits. Junior rackets typically come in sizes 0 and 1. Add a thin overgrip if the size 0 is slightly small but the size 1 feels clunky.
For a full rundown on getting kids started, see our kids tennis guide.
Dial in your grip
Overgrips are the cheapest way to fine-tune your grip size and feel. Replace every 10-15 hours of play for best results.