If having a pool table in your home is a goal for you, it’s important to know how much space you’ll need to fit the pool table you want, or what standard pool table dimensions will fit into your existing space.
In this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know to play pool comfortably in your home, whether it be in your existing home, or for a pool room in a home you’re building or renovating in the future.
Minimum Room Size for Pool Tables
Knowing for sure if your room meets the minimum room size for a pool table can get complicated as you need to consider the many different standard pool table sizes out there, and if the room can accommodate shots involving pool cues that are standard cue length. But if you’re looking for a quick answer, there are some general measurements to quickly see if your space meets the minimum room size for your pool table dimensions.
So, what’s the minimum size room you need for a pool table?
- For a seven-foot pool table, you’ll need a room length between 11’-13′ by 14’-16′ in size
- For an eight-foot pool table, your pool room size would need to be between 12’-13′ by 15’-17′
- For a nine-foot pool table, the pool room size needed is between 12’-13′ by 16’-17′
But as I mentioned, the spaces above are dependent on the length of the cues you will be using in the room, so that longer cues will need more room size than shorter ones.
Let’s look at the room and cue sizes in a little more detail.
Why Pool Table Room Size Matters for Playing
To play pool properly, you need enough clearance in the playing area and the walls of the room to be able to take a full cueing stroke. If you have ever played pool where cueing on one side required a shorter cue, or you have to grip down as there isn’t enough space, you know how frustrating that can be!
You do DON’T want this to happen with your pool table.
We will look at all three pool table sizes so you can best decide what size table you could buy for the room size you have. If you are building a room specifically for the pool table, this guide will help plan the correct room size.
With any project, 80 percent of the work is done in the planning stage. We have simple checklists to help you get organized and make sure you’re prepared for every step along the way. Download them now for FREE:
What Size Pool Table Should You Choose
Aside from the room space, which will be the deciding factor, choosing the right pool table depends on how you want to use it. Any size table can work for your room if it’s purely for fun.
If you play competitive pool, you want to get the same size table as you play competitions on, so you can use your table to improve your skills at home. The 8′ table is considered the size for professionals and competitions.
However, if you want to improve your shooting accuracy and power game, then the 9′ table is the best choice to master your skills on the 9′ pool table. Playing the 8′ and 7′ pool tables will be easier for you.
What Size is a “Regulation Pool Table”?
If you’re looking to really level up your playing, you may be looking for “regulation size pool tables.” However, this wording isn’t really helpful since “regulation size” for pool tables just refers to the playing surface (cushion nose to cushion nose). If a table is exactly twice and long as it is wide it’s considered “regulation size.”
What Are The Cue Sizes For Pool Tables
There are three standard cue lengths —48″, 52″, and 58″ — and this doesn’t matter whether or not you’re using single or two-piece cues.
For 7′ and 8′ pool tables, you can use a 48″ cue. However, you may struggle with this length cue on a 9′ pool table. For a 9′ pool table, only the 52″ and 58″ cues are recommended for the larger size tables.
How To Choose The Correct Cue Size
Using the right cue is imperative when playing pool as one that is too long or too short can hamper your playing skills, so let’s take a quick look at how to choose the right cue length.
Cue lengths are based on your height. Here’s a handy table that tells you what pool cue you’ll need for your height range:
| Height | Cue Length |
| 4’ or under | 36”-42” |
| 4’-4’11” | 48” |
| 5’-5’8” | 52” |
| 5’8 -6’4” | 58” |
| 6’4” + | 62” or custom cue |
For kids, you can get a short pool cue from 24″ to 36,” and some pool rooms have the short 36″ cues for those delicate short shots.
The Seven-Foot Table Room Size
The seven-foot table is considered a ‘bar size’ pool table and is more compact than the professional 8′ table. This table measures 3,5′ x 7′ and can be played with 48″, 52″, and 58″ cues provided you have the available space.
For a 48″ cue on this pool table, you’ll need a minimum room dimension of 11’x14′, assuming that table is placed in the center of the room.
For a 52″ cue on a 7′ table, the room dimensions would need to be a minimum of 12’x15′, and for the 58″ cue, you would need a room with a minimum of 13’x16′.
The Eight-Foot Table Room Size
As mentioned previously, an 8′ pool table is considered the professional size for a pool table is probably the best overall option in terms of playing size and skill versatility. When you can play well on this table, the 7′ pool table is easier, and the 9′ foot table is not as hard.
The eight-foot table measures 4’x8′ and can be played with all three length cues.
For the 48″ cue, the room size would need to be 12’x15,’ and for the 52″ cue, the room dimensions would increase slightly to 12’x16′. For the longer 58″ cue, this room dimension would shift out to 13’x17′.
Remember that you need enough clearance to don’t hit the wall behind you when you are playing a full-power shot with the full cue draw.
The Nine-Foot Table And Room Size
Playing the big table needs more room, and here, you should look to only play with 52″ and 58″ cues as you may find using the 48″ cue on this pool table size to be a bit of a stretch, especially on the long diagonal shots.
For 52″ pool cues, your room dimensions would need to be 12’x16′, and for 58″ pool cues, that space would increase to 13’x17.’ You can see that the room size for the 8′ and 9′ table using the 58″ cue is the same, so if you have the space opt for the 9′ table.
Pool Cue Racks And Accessories
When looking at the room size, consider whether you will be putting in cue racks or cabinets for storing balls and cues, so you need to factor that into the room size.
In general, these accessories can be wall-mounted or placed out of the way from the playing area so as not to interfere with the cue stroke.
Pool Table Lighting
The height of the lights above the pool table is also important to consider. You don’t want dark shadows on your pool table because the lighting is not mounted at the right height.
The recommended heights for lighting are 62″ to 66″ from the floor and 32″ to 36″ from the table surface, and the light fitting canopy should be around nose height for the average person.
Conclusion
Now that you have all the information and data you need to choose the right table and have an adequate room size; you need to get the table, balls, cues, and chalk and get going.
Taking the time to size your pool room for the table properly and the cue sizes will make your pool games that much easier and more fun for everyone.
thewriteDuffy
At home, April is a mom, wife, and DIY darling. Among other home projects, she helped her husband Dan renovate their 1986 bungalow and is currently designing and decorating the 2023 custom home they are building themselves. Professionally, April is a writer, author, and online marketer with 15 years of experience writing for newspapers and magazines, building online authority websites, and publishing books.
With any project, 80 percent of the work is done in the planning stage. We have simple checklists to help you get organized and make sure you’re prepared for every step along the way. Download them now for FREE: