Badminton String Tension Explained: What Tension Should You Use?

If you’ve ever had a badminton racket restrung, you’ve probably been asked the same question: “What tension do you want?” If you don’t already know the answer, numbers like 20 lbs, 24 lbs or 28 lbs probably don’t mean a great deal.

String tension can make a surprisingly big difference to how your badminton racket feels. It affects the amount of help you get from the string bed, how forgiving the racket feels and how direct the response is when you strike the shuttle. The important thing to understand is that higher tension isn’t automatically better — it simply suits a different type of player.

What does badminton string tension actually mean?

String tension is simply how tightly the strings are pulled when your badminton racket is restrung, and it is normally measured in pounds (lbs). A racket strung at 20 lbs will have a softer string bed than exactly the same racket strung at 28 lbs.

That difference changes how much the strings move when you strike the shuttle. Lower tensions generally allow more movement and flex, while higher tensions produce a firmer and more direct response. It can also affect how forgiving the racket feels when you don’t hit the shuttle perfectly in the middle.

What does a lower string tension feel like?

A lower badminton string tension usually gives you a softer and more forgiving feel. Because the strings can flex more on impact, they can help return some energy to the shuttle and make it easier to generate length without having to swing as hard.

The effective sweet spot also tends to feel larger, which means off-centre shots are usually less punishing. That can make lower tensions particularly useful for beginners, developing players or anyone who wants a little more help generating power. If you’re still developing your technique, having a more forgiving string bed can make badminton much more enjoyable.

What does a higher string tension feel like?

As you increase the tension, the string bed becomes firmer and the response becomes more direct. There is less movement from the strings when you hit the shuttle, which can give experienced players a very precise feeling at impact.

The trade-off is that you get less assistance from the strings. If you don’t create enough racket-head speed yourself, higher tension can actually make it harder to generate power and length. Mishits also become more noticeable because the useful hitting area feels smaller and less forgiving.

Does higher tension give you more control?

Higher tension is often associated with control, but it only really helps if you have the technique to take advantage of it. A firmer string bed gives you a more direct response, which can make placement feel very precise when your timing and contact are consistent.

That doesn’t mean increasing the tension will automatically fix your control. If you regularly miss the centre of the strings or struggle to generate enough racket-head speed, moving too high can actually make your shots less consistent. For many players, the best control comes from finding the tension they can use comfortably rather than chasing the highest number possible.

Does lower tension give you more power?

For a lot of club players, yes. A lower tension allows the strings to flex more when the shuttle makes contact, helping provide some extra rebound from the string bed.

That can make clears easier to send towards the back of the court and help you generate useful pace without having to force the swing. It can be particularly helpful if you have a slower swing or use a stiffer racket that doesn’t offer as much assistance through the shaft.

If you’re unsure whether racket stiffness could also be affecting your power, have a look at our guide to flexible vs stiff badminton rackets.

What string tension should a beginner use?

For most beginners, somewhere around 18–22 lbs is a sensible place to start, provided it sits within the recommended tension range for the racket. That gives you a relatively forgiving setup while still providing enough response to develop good technique.

There is very little benefit in jumping straight to a high tension simply because more experienced players use one. While you’re learning your timing and improving your contact point, a more forgiving setup will normally help much more. You can always experiment with higher tensions later once you know what kind of feel you prefer.

If you’re still choosing your first proper racket, our guide to choosing the right badminton racket is a useful place to start.

What tension should an intermediate player use?

Intermediate players often start experimenting somewhere around 22–25 lbs, although there is no magic number. By this stage, your timing is usually more consistent and you may start wanting a slightly firmer response from the racket.

The best approach is to make small changes rather than huge jumps. If you currently play at 22 lbs and want a little more direct feedback, trying 23 or 24 lbs at your next restring makes much more sense than suddenly jumping to 28 lbs. Small adjustments make it far easier to understand what you actually prefer.

What tension should an advanced player use?

More advanced players often use tensions in the mid-20s and above because they already generate plenty of racket-head speed themselves. With cleaner timing and more consistent contact, they can take advantage of the firmer and more direct response that higher tensions provide.

That doesn’t mean every advanced player needs extremely high tension. Some very good players still prefer a softer setup because they like the extra feel or easier power it provides. String tension should always be based on what helps you play your best badminton rather than what somebody else uses.

How do you know if your string tension is too high?

One of the clearest signs is that your racket suddenly feels hard work. Clears may start falling short, you might find yourself swinging harder to generate the same amount of power, and shots away from the middle of the strings can feel noticeably worse.

You may also find your arm tiring more quickly because you are having to create more of the power yourself. If those problems appear after increasing your tension, it’s worth dropping back by a couple of pounds at your next restring and seeing whether the racket becomes easier to use again.

How do you know if your string tension is too low?

If the tension is too low for your preference, the racket can start feeling overly soft or springy. You may feel as though the shuttle stays on the strings for slightly too long, or that your placement isn’t as sharp as you’d like.

Players with fast swings are more likely to notice this because they already generate plenty of power themselves. A slightly firmer string bed can give them the more direct response they are looking for. As with high tension, though, what feels too soft to one player may feel perfect to another.

Does the type of badminton string matter too?

Absolutely. The number on the stringing machine is only part of the story because different badminton strings can feel completely different even when they are installed at exactly the same tension.

String thickness, construction and material all affect how much power, feel and durability you get. A thinner string may feel livelier and more responsive, while a thicker string can offer additional durability. That’s why finding your ideal setup normally involves experimenting with both the string itself and the tension.

Should you increase your tension as you improve?

You can, but you don’t have to. As your technique improves, you may find yourself wanting a firmer response and more direct feedback from the racket, in which case increasing the tension slightly can make sense.

The important word there is slightly. Moving up one or two pounds at a time allows you to actually feel the difference and decide whether it improves your game. There is no prize for reaching 30 lbs, and if your current setup already feels great, there is no reason to change it just because you have become a better player.

Always check your racket’s recommended tension

Before changing your badminton string tension, always check the recommended range for the individual racket you are using. Different frames are designed to cope with different levels of tension, and going beyond that range can put unnecessary stress on the racket.

This is especially important with very lightweight rackets. If you aren’t sure what tension your racket can safely take, check the product specification before having it restrung rather than simply choosing a number you’ve seen somebody else using.

So, what badminton string tension should you use?

As a rough guide, beginners will often be comfortable around 18–22 lbs, intermediate players may start experimenting around 22–25 lbs, and more experienced players may prefer something higher. Those are starting points rather than rules, and the right tension will depend on your technique, racket, string and personal preference.

If you want easier power and a more forgiving string bed, going slightly lower will usually help. If you already generate plenty of racket-head speed and want a firmer, more direct response, moving slightly higher may suit you better.

The best way to find your ideal badminton string tension is to make small adjustments and pay attention to how the racket actually feels on court. Once you find a setup that gives you the balance of power, control and feel you want, there is no reason to keep changing it.