# How to choose tennis racquet weight: balance and swingweight Static weight, balance and swingweight explained with real spec-sheet examples: how each measurement changes stability, maneuverability and arm risk, and how to tune your racquet with lead tape. Updated on 2026-10-07 A tennis racquet's weight is not a single number. Two 300 g racquets can behave completely differently on court, because what you feel on the swing depends on where that weight sits: near your hand or near the tip. To choose well, look at three measurements together: static weight, balance and swingweight. In practice, most adults play best between 270 and 305 g unstrung. The right spot within that range depends on your level, your physique and your arm history, and that is what this guide helps you work out. ## Static weight: strung and unstrung This is the number that appears first on the spec sheet, measured on a scale. Manufacturers almost always list the **unstrung** weight. Strings normally add 12 to 18 g, and the overgrip adds a few more grams. A 300 g unstrung racquet takes the court at about 318 g. What static weight does: - **More weight = more stability and more mass behind the ball.** The racquet twists less in your hand when the ball hits off-center and returns heavy balls with more depth. - **Less weight = easier to prepare and change direction.** You get to the ball earlier and tire less in long matches. The common mistake is to look only at this number. It tells you how much the racquet weighs at rest, not how much it weighs in motion. ## Balance: HL and HH points and millimeters Balance is the distance, measured from the butt of the handle, to the point where the racquet balances on a support. On a 27 in (68.6 cm) racquet, the neutral point sits around 343 mm. Below that, the racquet is **head light** (HL); above it, **head heavy** (HH). Many stores and manufacturers still use **points**: each point equals 1/8 of an inch, about 3.2 mm. A "4 points HL" racquet has its balance about 13 mm below neutral. | Strung balance (27 in) | In points | Behavior | Catalog example | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 310 mm | about 10 pts HL | Very head light; quick in the hand despite the weight | Yonex Percept 97H (330 g) | | 320 to 330 mm | 4 to 7 pts HL | The standard for 300 to 315 g racquets | Head Speed MP 2026 | | 335 to 343 mm | 0 to 3 pts HL | Nearly neutral; the head is more noticeable | Head Speed MP UL 2026 | | 345 to 365 mm | 1 to 7 pts HH | Head heavy; power with little weight | Dunlop LX 1000 | Watch out for one catch: some spec sheets list the balance unstrung, which sits a few millimeters closer to the handle than the strung balance, because strings add mass in the head. When comparing two racquets, check that the numbers are in the same condition. ## Swingweight: the weight you feel on the swing Swingweight measures the racquet's resistance to being swung. Technically, it is the moment of inertia about an axis 10 cm from the butt of the handle, in kg·cm². In practice, it is the number that best describes how the racquet behaves during the swing. | Swingweight (strung) | Feel | Typical profile | | --- | --- | --- | | Below 300 | Very easy to swing, little mass behind the ball | Beginners, juniors in transition | | 300 to 315 | Fast, moderate stability | Adult beginners, 3.0 intermediates | | 315 to 325 | Balance between maneuverability and stability | Intermediates and many advanced players | | 325 to 335 | Stable and heavy through the ball, demands a full swing | Strong intermediates and advanced players | | Above 335 | Very stable and very demanding | Competitors, customized racquets | Swingweight grows with the square of the distance: one gram at the tip of the racquet weighs much more in the swing than one gram in the handle. That is why a light, head-heavy racquet can have a higher swingweight than a heavy, head-light one. ## The same racquet in four weights: the Head Speed 2026 family The best way to see the relationship between the three measurements is to compare versions of the same mold. The four Speed 2026 racquets below have a 100 sq in head and stiffness between 60 and 61 RA. Notice three things: - **From the UL (265 g) to the L (285 g)**, 20 g more static weight becomes 25 more points of swingweight (291 to 316). With similar balance, the extra mass was also distributed into the head. - **From the MP (300 g) to the Pro (310 g)**, the weight rises 10 g, but the swingweight barely changes (329 versus 328). The Pro has its balance closer to the handle (320 versus 330 mm), so the extra mass sits in the hand, where it hardly counts in the swing. - **By the numbers**, the Pro tends to feel heavier in the hand and put more mass into the impact, with a swingweight almost equal to the MP's. If you find the MP heavy on your arm, you are unlikely to do better with the Pro, which weighs 10 g more. To compare other families from the brand, use the [Head racquet comparison tool](https://racquetrank.com/ca/compare/tennis/head/). ## How weight, balance and swingweight change your game | Measurement | Power | Stability | Maneuverability | Arm | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | More static weight | Rises (more mass behind the ball) | Rises | Drops in preparation | Less shock, more muscular effort | | Balance toward the head | Rises with a short swing | Rises at the tip | Drops at the net | More load on the wrist and elbow | | Balance toward the handle | Drops a little | Drops at the tip | Rises | Less load on the wrist | | More swingweight | Rises (heavier ball) | Rises | Drops | More effort per stroke; more tiring | Examples of game situations: - **Returning a fast serve**: a high swingweight helps, because the racquet does not get pushed back by the impact. A weight of 300 g or more with a swingweight above 320 makes a difference here. - **Fast volley exchanges at the net**: head-light balance and moderate swingweight help you react. A very head-heavy racquet arrives late. - **Topspin from the baseline**: a moderate swingweight lets you accelerate the racquet head more, and head speed is what generates spin. - **Late in the third set**: a swingweight too high for your fitness turns into late contact and balls in the net. ### Weight is not everything: racquets with extreme distributions | Racquet | Speed MP 2026 HEAD RR Score 83 out of 100, Very good | Percept 97H 2023 Yonex RR Score 74 out of 100, Good | | --- | --- | --- | | Best price | See price at Amazon | See price at Amazon | | RR Score | 83 | 74 | | Weight unstrung | 300 g | 330 g | | Weight strung | 318 g | 346 g | | Head size | 100 in² | 97 in² | | Length | 27 in | 27 in | | Balance point | 330 mm | 310 mm | | Swingweight | 329 | 333 | | Stiffness (RA) | 60 RA | 62 RA | | String pattern | 16x19 | 16x19 | | Frame thickness | 23/23/23 mm | 21/21/21 mm | | Material | Graphite and boron | HM graphite | Highlighted: what differs between the racquets. In bold: the best value in the row. In that table, the Dunlop LX 1000 weighs 255 g unstrung, but its 365 mm balance (about 7 points HH) takes the swingweight to 305. It is a racquet that is light in the hand with the swingweight of a heavier racquet, a combination designed for short strokes. At the other extreme, the Percept 97H weighs 330 g and is very head light; its swingweight of 333 is high, but not absurd for the weight. The Pure Aero Rafa Origin, at 317 g with nearly neutral balance, reaches a swingweight of 371: a professional's specification, very demanding for recreational players. ## Weight and tennis elbow Pain on the outside of the elbow, known as tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis, has several causes, and technique is one of the main ones. But equipment matters, and weight is a factor that many people understand backwards. - **A racquet that is too light transmits more shock.** With little mass, the racquet recoils more on impact and the arm absorbs the difference. Racquets below 270 g, especially head-heavy and high-stiffness ones, are a common combination among players with pain. - **A racquet that is too heavy hurts as well**, by another route: the player arrives late, compensates with the wrist and forearm, and muscle fatigue sets in. - **Balance too far toward the head increases the leverage** on the wrist and elbow, especially on volleys and on balls hit off-center. The friendliest combination is usually moderate to high weight for your physique, slightly head-light balance, low stiffness and soft strings. The guide [how to choose a tennis racquet](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/how-to-choose-a-tennis-racquet/) explains stiffness and strings, and the [tennis racquet comparison tool](https://racquetrank.com/ca/compare/tennis/) shows each model's stiffness side by side. Heads up If you already feel elbow pain, do not fix it just by changing racquets. See a doctor or physical therapist and review your technique with a coach. The right racquet reduces the strain, but it does not treat the injury. ## Weight table by level The ranges below are references for adults, not rules. Physical strength, age and playing style change the ideal point. | Profile | Unstrung weight | Strung balance | Strung swingweight | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Adult beginner | 255 to 285 g | Neutral to head heavy | 290 to 315 | | Returning after years away | 280 to 300 g | Neutral to 3 pts HL | 305 to 320 | | Intermediate (NTRP 3.0 to 3.5) | 280 to 300 g | 2 to 5 pts HL | 305 to 320 | | Strong intermediate (NTRP 4.0) | 295 to 305 g | 3 to 6 pts HL | 315 to 325 | | Advanced and competitive | 305 to 320 g or more | 4 to 10 pts HL | 320 to 335 | | Junior moving up to an adult racquet | 250 to 275 g | Neutral to head heavy | 280 to 305 | The guides to [racquets for beginners](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/best-tennis-racquets-for-beginners/) and [racquets for intermediates](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/best-tennis-racquets-for-intermediates/) offer specific models for each range. ### A good tennis racquet in each weight range - 1 320 g or more [RF 01 Pro 2024 Wilson](https://racquetrank.com/ca/tennis/wilson/rf-01-pro-2024/) - Weight: 320 g - Head: 98 in² - Strings: 16x19 - RA: 67 RA RR Score 80 out of 100, Very good 320 g unstrung, 324 mm balance and 331 swingweight. The weight of a competition racquet, with balance toward the handle. - [AmazonSee price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M49QVSGP9E70BKFWJ6Q4PNH0) ## How to customize your racquet with lead tape Adhesive lead (or tungsten) tape lets you adjust weight, balance and swingweight in small steps. It is cheap, reversible and widely used by players of all levels. The effect depends on where you put it: | Position | Effect on swingweight | Effect on balance | What for | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Top of the head (12 o'clock) | Large: a little over 3 points per gram | Moves toward the head | More power and ball weight | | Sides of the head (3 and 9 o'clock) | Medium: about 2 points per gram | Moves slightly toward the head | More stability on off-center hits | | 10 and 2 o'clock | Between the two above | Moves toward the head | Stability with a bit of power | | Handle (under the grip or in the cap) | Almost none | Moves toward the handle | More static weight without making the racquet slow | Two worked examples, on a 318 g strung racquet with a 330 mm balance: - **4 g at the top of the head**: the swingweight rises about 13 points and the balance moves about 4 mm toward the head. It changes the feel a lot. - **8 g in the handle**: the total weight goes to 326 g, the balance moves back about 7 mm toward the handle (about 2 more points HL) and the swingweight barely changes. The racquet feels more solid in the hand and just as fast. **Safe step-by-step:** - Start with 2 to 4 g, always distributed symmetrically (the same weight at 3 and 9 o'clock, for example). - Play at least two or three sessions before adding more. - If you put weight in the head and the racquet became slow, compensate with a little weight in the handle. - Write down what you did: position, grams and what changed on court. - If your arm complains, go back to the previous step. Light racquets with a low swingweight, such as the Speed MP UL, take this kind of adjustment well. Racquets that start with a swingweight above 330 rarely need weight in the head. Tip Before buying a heavier racquet, try lead tape on yours. Two 2 g strips on the sides of the head show, for little money, whether you adapt to more stability. If you like it, look for a racquet with a swingweight close to where you ended up. To compare the swingweight of any combination of models, use the [tennis racquet comparison tool](https://racquetrank.com/ca/compare/tennis/). The [tennis racquet catalog](https://racquetrank.com/ca/tennis/) lets you filter by weight, and [find your racquet](https://racquetrank.com/ca/racquet-finder/) suggests a range based on your level and physique. ## Frequently asked questions What is the ideal tennis racquet weight? For most adults, between 270 and 305 g unstrung. Beginners do better between 255 and 285 g; intermediates, between 280 and 305 g; advanced players, from 305 g up. Look at swingweight too: it tells you more about how the racquet behaves on court than the weight at rest. Light or heavy racquet: which is better? Neither is better in absolute terms. A light racquet is easier to maneuver and less tiring, but it is less stable and transmits more shock. A heavy racquet is stable and gives the ball weight, but it demands fitness and technique. The ideal is the heaviest one you can handle without being late on your stroke at the end of a match. What is swingweight in a tennis racquet? It is the measure of how much the racquet resists being swung, in kg·cm², measured about an axis near the handle. The higher it is, the more stable and heavier it feels on the stroke, and the more effort it takes to accelerate. Values between 315 and 325 strung are the most common in 300 g racquets. What do HL and HH mean in racquet balance? HL (head light) means the racquet is lighter in the head, with its balance point closer to the handle. HH (head heavy) means the head is heavier. Each point equals about 3.2 mm. Heavy racquets tend to be HL to stay maneuverable; light racquets tend to be HH to gain power. Can a light racquet cause tennis elbow? It can contribute. A light racquet, especially a stiff, head-heavy one, transmits more shock to the arm on impact. It is not the only cause: technique, stiff strings, high tension and playing volume also count. If you have pain, seek medical advice. How much lead can I put on my racquet? Start with 2 to 4 g and increase gradually, always symmetrically. Each gram at the top of the head adds a little over 3 points of swingweight, so small amounts already change the feel. In the handle, lead adds weight without making the racquet slower. Do strings change the racquet's weight? Yes. They normally add 12 to 18 g and shift the balance a few millimeters toward the head, as well as raising the swingweight. That is why you should always compare numbers in the same condition, strung or unstrung. ## Where to buy the racquets in this guide - [Speed MP 2026 HEAD](https://racquetrank.com/ca/tennis/head/speed-mp-2026/)300 g · 100 in² · 16x19 [See price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M49QVSGP5BKK72K8VMGCWPW7)Amazon - [Percept 97H 2023 Yonex](https://racquetrank.com/ca/tennis/yonex/percept-97h-2023/)330 g · 97 in² · 16x19 [See price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M49QVSGQSBTFPSCW2FN06WCE)Amazon - [RF 01 Pro 2024 Wilson](https://racquetrank.com/ca/tennis/wilson/rf-01-pro-2024/)320 g · 98 in² · 16x19 [See price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M49QVSGP9E70BKFWJ6Q4PNH0)Amazon The prices above are checked automatically at each store and may have changed since the last check. The price that counts is the one shown on the store's website at checkout. We may earn a commission on purchases made through store links, at no extra cost to you. ## More tennis guides - [Best tennis racquets of 2026: top picks by playing style](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/best-tennis-racquets/) - [How to choose a tennis racquet: complete buying guide](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/how-to-choose-a-tennis-racquet/) - [7 best tennis racquets for beginners in 2026](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/best-tennis-racquets-for-beginners/) - [10 best tennis racquets for intermediates in 2026](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/best-tennis-racquets-for-intermediates/) - [10 Tennis Racquets for Topspin: Open Pattern, Frame and Swingweight](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/10-tennis-racquets-for-topspin/) - [7 Tennis Racquets for Elbow Pain: Low Stiffness and Comfort](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/7-tennis-racquets-for-elbow-pain/) - [5 Control Tennis Racquets for Advanced Players: 18x20 and Thin Frame](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/5-control-tennis-racquets-for-advanced-players/) - [7 Kids' Tennis Racquets by Age: Size, Height and Models](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/kids-tennis-racquets-by-age/) - [10 Best-Value Tennis Racquets: The Best Specs in Every Price Tier](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/best-value-tennis-racquets/) - [String Pattern 16x19 vs. 18x20: Which to Choose on a Tennis Racquet](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/string-pattern-16x19-vs-18x20/) - [Tennis Racquet Head Size: From 95 to 115 sq in](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/tennis-racquet-head-size/) - [Tennis Racquet Grip Size: How to Measure and Choose L0 to L5](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/tennis-racquet-grip-size/) - [Tennis Racquet String Tension: kg, lb and When to Restring](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/tennis-racquet-string-tension/) - [10 best tennis racquets for advanced players in 2026](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/best-tennis-racquets-for-advanced-players/) - [7 best tennis racquets for competition in 2026](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/best-tennis-racquets-for-competition/) [All tennis guides →](https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/tennis/) --- Fonte: https://racquetrank.com/ca/guides/how-to-choose-tennis-racquet-weight/