What tension should you string at?

Most people are strung at whatever the shop suggested years ago. The right tension depends on your strings, your racket, your swing and your arm.

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The short version

Change	What you'll feel
Lower tension	More power, more comfort, a softer feel, a little less control
Higher tension	More control, a firmer feel, less power, more shock to the arm
Polyester strings	Control and spin — usually strung 1–2 kg lower than softer strings
Multifilament or gut	Comfort and power — kinder to elbows and shoulders

Typical ranges

Polyester. Often 20–24 kg. Poly loses tension quickly, so restringing regularly matters as much as the number.
Multifilament and synthetic gut. Often 22–26 kg. Comfortable, powerful and forgiving — a great default for most club players.
Natural gut. Often 23–27 kg. The plushest, most arm-friendly option, and the priciest.

Strings can matter more than the racket

If your racket already suits you but something feels off, strings and tension are the cheapest, fastest fix. It's why RightKit will sometimes say “don't buy anything yet — change the strings first.”

Skip the guesswork. Get your own fit.

A personal spec, not a generic list
Every match explained — including the trade-offs
Honest when what you've got already suits you

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Common questions

What tension should a beginner use?

A soft multifilament or synthetic gut at around 23–25 kg is a comfortable, forgiving starting point. Your RightKit fit adjusts this for your racket and how you play.

Does lower tension give more power?

Generally yes — the string bed deflects more and returns more energy, and it's more comfortable. The trade-off is slightly less control.

How often should I restring?

A rough guide is as many times a year as you play per week. Polyester loses tension faster, so poly users often restring more frequently.

What strings are best for tennis elbow?

Softer strings — multifilament or natural gut — at a lower tension, in a flexible frame. Avoid stiff polyester at high tension.

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