Buying a pool table can be one of the best investments you ever make. All the fun you’ll have with friends and family will be well worth the cost. Not to mention, being able to hone your skills as a player without the hassle of going to the pool hall.
But purchasing a pool table shouldn’t be done without first making sure you have enough room for it. Pool tables, especially slate ones, aren’t easy to move once assembled so it’s important to put it where you want it the first time. Don’t just assume that you’ll have enough space. Its important to do some measuring first to be sure. So, what size room do you need for a pool table?
What size room you need for a pool table is determined by the size of the table itself and the length of the pool cues you’ll be using. For example, if you’re playing on an 8ft table with 58″ pool cues, you’ll need a minimum room size of 13′ 6″ x 17′. Playing on tables of different sizes or with cues of different lengths will affect how much space you’ll need.
In this article I’m going to share with you what size room you need for pool tables of different sizes. I’ve even included a handy chart to make things simple. By the end of this article you should have all the info you need to purchase the right size pool table for your space.
Pool Table Sizes
Pool tables come in a variety of different sizes to fit the space you have available. While 8ft pool tables are considered by most to be the perfect size for in home use, 6ft, 7ft, and 9ft models are available as well.
Smaller tables, such as 6ft and 7ft models are perfect for those who are a little tight on space. They give you the ability to practice and have fun without taking up as much space as a larger pool table does. They’re usually more budget friendly as well. If you dont have much space to work with, or just want a cheaper table for brushing up your skills, a smaller table may be a good fit for you.
When possible, most players opt for an 8ft table. This is mainly because they’re small enough to fit in most average size homes but still large enough to play on competitively. 9ft tables are typically reserved for more advanced players. They are most often the size used in professional tournaments but rarely does a casual player find this size table practical for home use.
Whatever size table you choose, its important to make sure you have enough room for it. Choosing a table too big for your space can mean not having enough space around the table to take a shot from every angle and having the butt end of your cue smacking the wall when you go to shoot. Both of which are frustrating.
Pool Table Room Size Chart
If you know the dimensions of the room you plan on putting your pool table in, this chart will make things super simple. Below you’ll find what size room you need for all pool table sizes.
Each pool table size will have three different room sizes based on the length of the pool cue you’ll be using. The shorter the cue, the smaller the room needs to be.
| Table Size | Cue Length | Minimum Room Size |
| 3’ x 6’ (Playing Surface: 33”x66”) | 48” | 11’ x 13’ 6” |
| 52” | 11’ 6” x 14’ 6” | |
| 58” | 12’ 6” x 15’ 6” | |
| 3.5’ x 7’ (Playing Surface: 38”x76”) | 48” | 11’6” x 14’ 6” |
| 52” | 12’ x 15’ | |
| 58” | 13’ x 16’ | |
| 4’ x 8’ (“Playing Surface: 44”x88”) | 48” | 12’ x 15’ 6” |
| 52” | 12’ 6” x 16 | |
| 58” | 13’ 6” x 17’ | |
| 4’ x 8’ Over-sized (Playing Surface: 46”x 92”) | 48” | 12’ x 16’ |
| 52” | 12’ 6” x 16’ 6” | |
| 58” | 13’ 6” x 17’ 6” | |
| 4.5’ x 9’ (Playing Surface: 50”x100”) | 48” | 12’ 6” x 16’ 6” |
| 52” | 13’ x 17’ | |
| 58” | 14’ x 18’ |
How To Determine Minimum Room Sizes
The chart above is a quick cheat sheet for determining which size room you need for your table. However, if you’d like to know how to find those dimensions for yourself, here’s how.
- Measure Your Pool Table – The first thing you need to do is figure out how big your pool table is. Measure the length and width.
- Determine Your Pool Cue Length – Next, measure your pool cues. Most players use 58″ pool cues but other sizes like 52″ and 48″ are not uncommon. After you know the length of your cues, multiply it by 2. For example, if you’re using 58″ pool cues, multiply 58″ by 2 which gives you 116″.
- Add It All Together – Now that you have the measurements of your pool table and pool cue, its time to put it all together. Take the length of your pool table and add to it the length of your pool cues. Then do the same for the width. For example, if you’re playing on a 4ft x 8ft table (48″ x 96″) and playing with 58″ cues (x2 116″) you would add 48″ to 116″ giving you 164″, and 96″ to 116″ giving you 212″. This equates to a room size of 13′ 6″ x 17′.
This is the way minimum room sizes are determined just in case you don’t see your pool table size on the chart.
How Far Does A Pool Table Need To Be Away From The Wall?
If you’ve ever went to take a shot and had your cue bump up against the wall, you know how frustrating it can be. This unfortunate event has ruined more than a few shots and caused a few lost games. If you follow the chart above, you should be able to avoid this frustration completely! But just how far does a pool table need to be away from the wall?
How far your pool table needs to be away from the wall is really dependent upon how long your pool cues are. For example, if you’re using a 58″ pool cue, you should have at minimum 58″ between the edge of the table and the wall. However, its a good idea to give yourself more space than that if possible.
As a good rule of thumb, if you can give yourself 5ft of space all the way around your pool table, you should be ok regardless of what length your pool cue is. This is, assuming your pool cue isn’t any longer than 58″.
Pool Tables In Small Spaces
While most of us love the idea of having a massive room to put our pool table in, most of the time we just don’t. While this is a little unfortunate, it shouldn’t stop you from buying a pool table. There are a few things you can do to help save space and make playing pool in a smaller space more comfortable and enjoyable.
The first obvious thing to do is to buy a table proper for your space. It may be tempting to squeeze in the biggest table your room can fit but you have to remember that you need space all around your table in order to take shots from every angle. Don’t be tempted to slap a 9ft table in your room just because technically it will fit. You’ll be disappointed if you do.
If you have your pool table in place and there are still some spots where you cant take a proper shot, you may want to invest in a shorty cue. A shorty cue is just what it sounds like: a short pool cue. Most of them are 36″ long and are perfect for taking shots that you cant take with a full length pool cue. This 2 pack of shorty cues (Amazon) is the perfect choice for when your 58″ cue just wont work. They’re also great for kids to play with!
Another thing to consider when putting a pool table in a small room is storage. If you have multiple cues, billiard balls, racks, etc., you’re going to need to store them somewhere when your not using them. If all you have is a cue and a set of balls, you’re probably ok just to leave it all on the table. But if you have lots of gear you may want to consider a wall mount pool cue rack.
By keeping your gear on the wall and not on a floor rack, you can save yourself some extra, much needed space. This wall mount pool cue rack is a great budget friendly way to keep your gear up and out of the way. It holds 6 pool cues, a set of billiard balls, and has hooks for your racking triangles. Definitely check it out if you need that extra bit of floor space.
In Conclusion
I hope by now you know what size pool table you can fit in your room. Just remember to give yourself as much space as possible and use shorty cues when necessary. You can have just as much fun on a small table as you can on a big one as long as you plan for it. Thanks for reading!
