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What is the difference between 16g and 17g string?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 18, 2026

Essentially, tennis string gauge means the thickness of the string. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the string, so 17 gauge string is thinner than 16 gauge.

Should I use 16 or 17 gauge tennis string?

The thinner the string, the better it will play-you'll get more "feel" and control because the string bites into the ball. The downside: Thin strings break more quickly. Your best bet is to start with a 17-gauge string; if it snaps in 10 hours or less, go to a 16-gauge.

What does 16g mean for tennis strings?

Tennis String Gauge

Generally, the thicker the string the more durable the string is. String gauge works this way: Lower Gauge = Thicker String. Higher Gauge = Thinner String. That means 16g string is thicker than 17g string.

What gauge tennis string is best?

Here are the most common gauges and who we'd recommend each for: 15/1.40mm: Thickest gauge; best for advanced players looking for maximum durability and control. 16/1.30mm: Medium-thick gauge; best for competitive players who break strings frequently.

What is the difference between RPM Blast 16 and 17?

The biggest difference you'll see between the two is durability. The 16 gauge (1.30mm diameter) will last longer than the 17 gauge (1.25mm). There area few more subtle differences in play characteristics that you may or may not notice depending on how sensitive you are to them.

28 related questions found

Which is thicker 16 or 17 gauge?

Essentially, tennis string gauge means the thickness of the string. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the string, so 17 gauge string is thinner than 16 gauge.

What string gauge does Nadal use?

Nadal's String

Formerly a poster boy for Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour, Nadal now uses Babolat's RPM Blast in 15 Gauge at a tension of 55lbs. We are big fans of RPM Blast here at TheTennisBros.com, as we know how potent it can be in terms of spin potential and control.

What is the most popular tennis string?

Best Tennis Strings in 2020

  • Babolat RPM Blast. Used by Rafael Nadal and many other pro players, the Babolat RPM Blast is a monofilament, which provides a perfect blend of spin, power, and feel. ...
  • Luxilon Alu Power. ...
  • Solinco Hyger G. ...
  • Tecnifibre HDMX. ...
  • Tecnifibre NRG2. ...
  • Babolat Duo VS Touch + RPM Blast.

What is 16L gauge tennis string?

An “L” after a number means the string is on the thinner end of that range; for instance, 16L is slightly thinner than a 16-gauge string. Tennis strings range from 15L to 19, but 16 and 17 are the most popular. Gauge doesn't so much influence stringbed stiffness, but it is important in spin potential and durability.

What string do most pros use?

Polyester. What is this? Polyester strings are the string type that most pros are using on the ATP and WTA tour.

How long does Hyper G last?

Hyper-G posted very impressive scores for tension maintenance in our Tennis Warehouse University String Lab. This bodes well for big hitters who want a poly that doesn't “ bag out ” and lose its magic after a couple sessions. Both testers found this string to last about three weeks before needing to re-string.

Do tennis strings make a difference?

Generally speaking, thinner strings offer improved playability while thicker strings offer enhanced durability. Tennis string gauges range from 15 (thickest) to 19 (thinnest), with half-gauges identified with an L (15L, 16L, etc), which is short for “light”.

Which tecnifibre string is best?

Best power string: Tecnifibre X-One Biphase

Although Babolat Touch VS has more raw power than any string in this guide, Tecnifibre X-One Biphase definitely tops the power list for a great many players.

What is the softest tennis string?

Generally, natural gut and nylon (multifilament) strings are the best for tennis elbow because they are the softest, most comfortable, and won't transmit as much shock as synthetic gut and polyester strings.

How often should I change my tennis grip?

Remember - a lot of factors determine how quickly a grip needs to be changed - humidity, the intensity of play, perspiration. A general rule you can follow is to replace your overgrip every 6-8 hours of play, and your replacement grip 1-3 times per year.

How heavy is Federer's racket?

Federer, for what it's worth, is using a racket that weighs in north of 12.5 ounces -- far too heavy for the average club-level player or even high-level junior for that matter.

How heavy is Djokovic's racquet?

Novak's racquet weighs 353grams which gives excellent stability for Novak to take up the ball early. For Novak to redirect the ball on a horizontal trajectory, the Head PT113B offers a denser string bed and a high swing weight for this purpose.

How much does Nadal's racket cost?

Nadal: Rafael Nadal uses the Babolat Pure Aero racquet to power his way through tournaments. Off the shelf, this racquet costs $230.

Are synthetic gut strings good?

This solid core string offers great all-around playability. It is one of the better value strings on the market. Offers comfort and controllable power. Offering great all-around playability, this Synthetic Gut is perfect for bargain hunters who don't want to sacrifice performance.

How do I know if my racket needs restringing?

If your strings are fraying or look shaggy, the strings are starting to come apart and you're not going to get as much spin or power when you hit the ball. When your strings get ratty-looking, it's definitely time to restring.

What is multifilament string?

Multifilament strings are among the most comfortable tennis strings available to players. They were originally created to allow players to experience the comfort of natural gut strings at an affordable price. They are also more durable than natural gut strings, through less durable than polyester strings.

Is Hyper-G good for spin?

Spin - Score: 93

The Solinco Hyper-G is often considered one of the best tennis strings for spin, and we can see why! Thanks to its four edges, it really gets a bite on the ball and provides easy access to spin.

Which solinco string is best?

Our pick for the best tennis string overall is the Solinco Hyper-G Heaven. It combines power, control, durability, and affordability. It's a string suited for players of all levels, providing everything you need to play your best tennis!