How to Choose the Right Tennis Racket Grip Size

Photo: @alexponniah

By Steve Butcher, Court15 co-founder and LTA Level 5 coach, with over 40 years of tennis coaching experience.

Updated 23 October 2026 · A practical guide for adults, parents and junior players.

When choosing a tennis racket, I put the fit of the handle ahead of the colour, the latest technology or the player whose name appears in the advert. You need to be able to hold the racket securely, relax your hand between shots and change grips without a struggle.

My approach is simple: measure your hand to find a starting point, compare neighbouring sizes and then hit some balls. A size chart helps you narrow the choice; it cannot tell you everything about how a racket will feel in your hand.

What does tennis racket grip size mean?

Grip size is the circumference of the handle, rather than its length or diameter. In the UK you will commonly see sizes written as L0, L1, L2 and so on, or simply as a number. The equivalent US measurement is in inches. Look on the butt cap at the bottom of the handle, or check the racket’s product specification.

UK / European size	Circumference in inches	Circumference in mm
L0 / 0	4	101.6
L1 / 1	4⅛	104.8
L2 / 2	4¼	108.0
L3 / 3	4⅜	111.1
L4 / 4	4½	114.3
L5 / 5	4⅝	117.5

Each step is ⅛ inch, or approximately 3.2 mm, around the handle. These figures describe handle circumference; they are not age bands or measurements of your whole hand. Smaller junior sizes also exist, with labels that vary between manufacturers.

A racket’s stated size is only the starting point. Handle shape, the replacement grip and any overgrip all influence the finished feel. If you are changing brands, I recommend trying the actual model even when the number on the handle is familiar.

How to measure your tennis racket grip size

1. Use a ruler to narrow down the options

1. Open the hand you normally use to hold the racket. Keep your fingers straight and together, without stretching them.
2. Locate the lower crease running across your palm. Place the end of a ruler at that crease, in line with your ring finger.
3. Measure to the tip of your ring finger. This is not a measurement from your wrist, and you should not use your middle finger.
4. Compare the result with the chart above. For example, a measurement close to 108 mm points towards L2 as a size to try.
5. Repeat the measurement once. If you are between sizes, take both options into the fitting check below.

This is a useful estimate, not a prescription. If the number seems very different from the racket you already use comfortably, ask a coach or racket specialist to check the measurement before buying.

2. Check the space in your hand

Hold the racket in a comfortable forehand grip without clenching it. Try placing the index finger of your other hand into the gap between your fingertips and palm. Roughly a finger’s width is a traditional fitting guide: fingertips pressing firmly into the palm can suggest a small handle, while a large gap and difficulty wrapping your fingers around it can suggest a large one.

I would not reject a comfortable racket because this gap is not exactly one finger wide. Hand proportions differ, and the test is only one clue. Check whether you can hold the racket naturally and change grips easily, then confirm the choice by playing.

My on-court fitting check

If possible, compare two grip sizes in the same racket model, with the same grip covering. Comparing completely different rackets makes it harder to tell whether you prefer the handle, the weight or the balance. A short demo is more useful than repeatedly squeezing a handle in a shop.

1. Start with gentle rallies. Play forehands and backhands at an easy pace. Notice whether you can keep your hand comfortable without constantly tightening your grip.
2. Include your usual shots. Try serves, returns and volleys as well as groundstrokes. If you use a two-handed backhand, check that both hands have comfortable space on the handle.
3. Change grips deliberately. Move from your forehand grip to your serving or volleying grip. The handle should feel manageable rather than awkward to turn.
4. Notice what happens between shots. Can you relax your hand and reset comfortably? Are you continually readjusting the racket?
5. Compare again after playing. Write down the size and the exact grip setup you preferred. “L2 with one overgrip” is more useful than remembering that one racket felt better.

My recommendation is to choose the setup that lets you concentrate on the ball. There is little value in copying a professional player’s unusually small or heavily customised handle if it makes your own racket harder to manage.

What if you are between grip sizes?

If both sizes are comfortable, I would usually start with the smaller one and test it with a single overgrip. Increasing a handle slightly is generally easier than reducing it. This does not mean you should deliberately buy a handle that feels far too small.

For example, if you are deciding between L2 and L3, compare L2 with the overgrip you normally use against L3 with your intended setup. Choose the complete setup you like, rather than assuming the bare handle is what you will play with.

Replacement grip or overgrip: what is the difference?

The replacement grip is the main covering fitted around the handle. An overgrip is a thinner layer wrapped over it, usually to change the surface feel, absorb moisture or make a small adjustment to size.

An overgrip does not add one guaranteed amount to every handle. Its thickness, stretch and overlap affect the result. Do not assume that adding one automatically turns an L2 into an L3. Try it and judge the finished handle.

I prefer making one change at a time. Start with a fresh, evenly fitted grip and, if needed, one overgrip. Building up several layers can make the handle feel rounder and change its weight. For a larger adjustment, ask a racket technician about the options for your particular model. I would not recommend sanding down a handle at home.

If the grip is slippery, shiny, frayed or uncomfortable, replace the worn covering before deciding the racket is the wrong size. A fresh surface may be all that is needed; adding another layer over a worn one also changes the fit.

Choosing a grip for a child or teenager

For juniors, I would check handle size, racket length and weight separately. A child may be able to hold a handle but still struggle to control the racket attached to it. Equally, being ready for a longer racket does not automatically mean needing a larger grip.

Junior rackets often have smaller handles, and some models offer only one grip size. A 23-inch or 25-inch label refers to the racket’s length, not the size of its handle. Check the manufacturer’s specification and let the child hold the actual racket.

• Look at the hand. Can the child wrap their fingers around the handle comfortably without forcing the grip?
• Watch a few ordinary shots. Ask for gentle swings, volleys and a serve. Can they prepare and recover without the racket feeling cumbersome?
• Ask a simple question. “Does this feel easy to hold?” is more helpful than asking a young child whether they prefer L0 or L1.
• Check with their coach. Choose a racket they can use well now, rather than buying a bigger one purely to grow into.
• Recheck as they grow. Revisit the fit when the racket is replaced or the child reports that the handle feels different.

Age-based racket charts are useful shopping guides, but they do not account for every child’s height, strength, hand size or stage of development. I would avoid assigning a fixed grip size to a particular birthday. For teenagers moving towards an adult racket, repeat the same measuring and playing checks used for adults.

Common problems: check the cause before changing size

What you notice	What I would check first
The racket slips or turns	Check for a worn or damp grip, then compare the fit. Slipping alone does not prove the handle is too small.
Your fingers press into your palm	Try the next size up, or a modest build-up, and compare how comfortably you can hold it.
You struggle to wrap your hand around the handle	Try a smaller size and check how many grip layers are already fitted.
Changing grips feels awkward	Compare handle size and shape, and ask your coach to check how you are holding the racket.
A new racket feels different despite the same size label	Compare the handle shape, grip covering and overgrip setup before changing size.

If playing causes pain, stop and get appropriate advice. A grip change cannot be relied on to prevent or treat tennis elbow or other injuries. For persistent or worsening arm pain, speak to a qualified healthcare professional; the NHS tennis elbow guidance explains when to seek help.

Frequently asked questions

Is L2 or L3 better for a beginner?

Neither is a beginner size. L2 is smaller than L3; the better choice depends on your hand and the finished grip setup. Measure first, then compare both if your result falls between them.

Should I use a smaller grip to create more topspin?

I would not make that the reason to change. Choose a handle you can control comfortably, then work on the technique that produces your shot. A smaller handle is not a shortcut to a better forehand, and another player’s preference is not a fitting rule.

Can I make a grip smaller?

Removing an added overgrip returns the handle towards its original setup. A thinner replacement grip may alter the feel, but reducing the underlying handle is not a simple adjustment on every racket. Ask a qualified racket technician before changing the handle itself.

How often should I check the fit?

Check when you buy a racket, change your replacement grip or add an overgrip. Revisit it if holding the racket starts to feel awkward. For children, include a quick grip check whenever you reassess their racket as they grow.

Looking for help on court? Explore coaches, clubs and academies on Court15. Parents may also find our guide to choosing the right tennis coach for a child useful.

Further reading

For the standard measuring methods and manufacturer guidance, see the LTA’s guide to grip sizes and overgrips, HEAD’s measuring guide, Wilson’s size chart, Babolat’s junior grip guide and the USTA’s racket-length guidance.