Tennis balls are made with 2 semicircular hollow rubber shells molded together and covered with fluorescent yellow felt. There are two types of tennis balls, Pressurized and Pressureless. Pressurized balls are lighter, and more aerodynamic giving higher bounce and better spin response. Depending upon the type of courts i.e. Grass, Hard, and Clay, there are 3 recommended tennis balls, Fast, Medium, and Slow.
| Type of Ball | Recommended Court |
| Fast Speed | Slow Court |
| Medium Speed | Medium-fast, Medium, and Medium-slow |
| Slow Speed | Fast Court |
When dropped on a concrete floor from 100 inches high, a tennis ball rebounds within 53 – 60 inches (135 – 151 cm).
Regarding tennis ball specifications, this article covers an in-depth analysis of all related queries, i.e. tennis ball diameter, size, weight, and volume in an easy-to-understand manner to help you get more into the game.
How Big is a Standard Tennis Ball?
- Diameter (D) = 6.54 – 6.86 cm
- Radius (r = D/2) = 3.27 – 3.43 cm
If radius = 3.27 cm
- Circumference (C = 2πr) = 2 x π x 3.27 cm = 20.55 cm
- Surface Area (A = 4πr2) = 4 x π x 3.27 x 3.27 cm2 = 134.37 cm2
- Volume (V = 4/3 πr3) = 4/3 x π x 3.27 x 3.27 x 3.27 cm3 = 146.46 cm3
If radius = 3.43 cm
- Circumference (C = 2πr) = 2 x π x 3.43 cm = 21.55 cm
- Surface Area (A = 4πr2) = 4 x π x 3.43 x 3.43 cm2 = 147.84 cm2
- Volume (V = 4/3 πr3) = 4/3 x π x 3.43 x 3.43 x 3.43 cm3 = 169.03 cm3
Most regulation tennis balls have an average diameter of 2.63 inches (6.67 cm) and a circumferential size of 8.25″ (20.96 cm).
Though weight is the same for all tennis balls, Slow tennis balls are slightly bigger (Diameter: 2.76” – 2.87”/ 7 – 7.3 cm) than others i.e. Fast, Medium, and High Altitude.
Tennis Ball Diameter and Size in Inches, Cm, & Mm
| Measurement | Inches | CM | MM |
| Radius | 1.285” – 1.35” | 3.27 – 3.43 cm | 32.7 – 34.3 mm |
| Diameter | 2.57” – 2.70” | 6.54 – 6.86 cm | 65.4 – 68.6 mm |
| Circumference | 8.07” – 8.48 cm | 20.55 – 21.55 cm | 205.5 – 215.5 mm |
| Surface Area | 20.75 – 22.90 in2 | 134.37 – 147.84 cm2 | 13437 – 14784 mm2 |
| Volume | 8.89 – 10.31 in3 | 146.46 – 169.03 cm3 | 146460 – 169030 mm3 |
Junior tennis balls used for under 10 are lighter and larger. Junior balls are 3 types, Red: below 8 years, Orange: 8-9 years, and Green: 9-10 years.
| Criteria | Red (below 8) | Orange (8-9) | Green (9-10) |
| Diameter | 7.0 – 8.0 cm(2.76” – 3.15”) | 6.0 – 6.86 cm(2.36” – 2.70”) | 6.30 – 6.86 cm(2.48” – 2.70”) |
| Weight | 36.0 – 49.0 grams(1.270 – 1.728 ounces) | 36.0 – 46.9 grams(1.270 – 1.654 ounces) | 47.0 – 51.5 grams(1.658 – 1.817 ounces) |
What is the Weight?
As per the rules of ITF, the weight of a tennis ball must be the same regardless of its type (Fast, Medium, Slow, and High Altitude).
- All tennis balls must weigh 56.0 – 59.4 grams.
| Weight in grams | Weight in kg | Weight in Ounces |
| 56.0 – 59.4 | 0.056 – 0.0594 | 1.975 – 2.095 |
Related Topic: “Tennis Court Dimensions and Size“
