The racket in the Laws: size limits and what may be attached
The maximum dimensions of a racket and of its stringed area, what may be added to the frame, and who rules on a doubt.
Why read this
Before buying or modifying a racket, it helps to know what the Laws allow (BWF Laws of Badminton, edition in force 26 April 2025). The Laws set limits of size and design, not of weight, brand or string tension.
The frame (Law 4.1)
The racket is a frame not exceeding 680 mm in overall length and 230 mm in overall width. Its main parts are:
- the handle, intended to be gripped by the player;
- the stringed area, with which the player hits the shuttle;
- the head, which bounds the stringed area;
- the shaft, which connects the handle to the head;
- the throat (if present), which connects the shaft to the head.
The stringed area (Law 4.2)
- It is flat and made of crossed strings, either alternately interlaced or bonded where they cross.
- It does not exceed 280 mm in length and 220 mm in width.
- The strings may extend into an area which would otherwise be the throat if the extended part is no wider than 35 mm and the overall length of the stringed area does not then exceed 330 mm.
What may be attached (Law 4.3)
The racket must be free of attached objects and protrusions, except those used solely and specifically to limit or prevent wear and tear, or vibration, to distribute weight, or to secure the handle by cord to the player's hand, and of reasonable size and placement for that purpose. It must also be free of any device that makes it possible to change materially the shape of the racket.
A doubt about equipment (Law 5.1)
The BWF rules on any question of whether a racket, shuttle or other equipment complies, on its own initiative or on application by a party with a bona fide interest, such as a player, a technical official, a manufacturer or a Member Association.
Limits
- The Laws give no maximum weight and no rule on string tension or on the strings' material.
- They do not say how a racket is measured, or by whom during a match.
- The words "reasonable in size and placement" are a judgment, not a number.
- A wrist cord is allowed only "to secure the handle by cord to the player's hand"; the Laws say nothing of its length.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.