Do you have a pool table at home? If so, do you ever wonder about the balls’ sizes? Do all of the balls weigh the same? Or are they different sizes? Perhaps you are looking to purchase a new set of pool ball and want to know, are pool balls different sizes?
Regulation pool balls used in the American game of pool are 2.25 inches in diameter and regardless if you are playing 8 ball or 9 ball, you will use the same sized balls. However, regulation English pool balls are smaller and are sized 2 inches in diameter.
Here’s what you need to know about ball sizes and how they can impact your play. I will also give you the correct pool ball sizes for each regulation sized pool table.
Are pool balls different sizes
This will depend on which pool game you are referring to. If you are talking about the American variation of pool, then standard pool balls are all the same size, unless of course, you are using a novelty table, such as a kids pool table.
The English variation of pool uses different sized pool balls to the American variation. If you are playing on one of the standard-sized English pool tables then you will be using the same sized balls.
Other types of cue sports, such as snooker, carrom, and Russian billiards all use different-sized balls to pool.
The size of the ball is determined by the cushion rail nose of the table. The nose of the cushion needs to make contact with the ball about 2/3 the way up.
American pool tables are bigger with higher cushions and their regulation pool balls are 2.25 inches in diameter.
English pool tables are smaller with lower cushion and their pool balls are 2 inches in diameter.
It’s important to not that table size doesn’t not determine ball size. The height of the rail cushion does. Take for instance a snooker table, an extremely large 12ft table, which is much larger than American and English pool tables, but the size of their balls are 2.07 inches in diameter.
What size are regulation pool balls
The size of regulation pool balls is 2-1/4 inches in diameter. There is some variance from ball to ball, but this is the standard size. The weight of regulation pool balls is also standardized at six ounces. So, while the size of pool balls may vary slightly, they are all close to the same size and weight.
However, English pool balls are intended to be played on different sized pool tables and therefore the regulation size of these balls are smaller, at 2 inches in diameter. These balls are also typically lighter, at 4.1 oz.
So while both types of pool balls are regulation size, they are intended for different game types and different sized tables.
What size pool balls do I need
To determine which size balls your table needs you will need to measure the rail cushion height. The cushion nose needs to meet the ball at about 66% of the height of the ball.
In general, if you are playing on one of the standard regulation-sized tables then you will more than likely just need the standard-sized pool ball for that table size.
The size of pool balls can vary depending on the game or tournament requirements. However, most standard American pool balls are 2.25 inches in diameter.
The English game of pool typically use pool balls sized 2 inches
There are also mini pool balls that are about 1.75 inches in diameter, and these are typically used for children’s pool
TABLE-TABLE
What size pool balls for 6ft table
6 foot pool tables are usually the size of an English pool table. The balls for this size of table are 2 inches in diameter.
What size pool balls for 7ft table
7ft pool tables is where it gets a little tricky. Here it might be best to check the height from the table bed to the tip of the rail cushion nose.
There are other ways to tell such as the size of the pockets.
If its an English 7ft pool table then it will use 2 inch pool balls
If its an American 7ft pool table then it will use 2-1/4 inch pool balls
What size pool balls for 8ft table
An 8-foot pool tables use regulation-size 2.25-inch balls. These tables are very common and will all make use of regulation-sized balls.
What size pool balls for 9ft table
On a 9 ft pool table, the size of the balls used are 2 1/4″ pool ball. This size of pool table is typically the largest regulation-sized pool table.
Is the cue ball bigger or smaller than the pool balls?
The cue ball may be the same size of slightly smaller than the other balls in the set. In professional competitions, the balls must be uniform in size to within 0.070 inches (1.8mm).
The cue ball is usually slightly smaller than the other balls to make it easier to control and in some cases easily detected in coin-operated pool tables.
Are snooker and pool balls the same size
No, they are not. Snooker balls are typically 2 1/16 inches in diameter, while pool balls are usually 2 1/4 inches in diameter.
Snooker balls are smaller, lighter and intended to be potted in smaller pockets.
Wrap-up
Conclusion paragraph: So, are pool balls different sizes? The answer is yes – American pool uses regulation-sized balls that measure 2.25 inches in diameter, while English pool uses smaller balls that measure only 2 inches in diameter. If you’re ever playing a game of pool in an English pub, make sure to grab some smaller-sized balls!
Rob is an avid player and fan of all cue sports, particularly 8-ball, and snooker. He has competed in a few local 8-ball tournaments and although he is not a professional, he can compete with the best of them.
