The shuttle in the Laws: materials, size and weight
What the Laws of Badminton require of a feathered or synthetic shuttle, with the exact limits.
Why read this
When two players argue about whether a shuttle is "legal", the Law 2 is the reference (BWF Laws of Badminton, edition in force 26 April 2025). It is short, and it gives numbers.
Any shuttle
The shuttle is made of natural and/or synthetic materials. Whatever the material, its flight characteristics must generally be similar to those of a natural feathered shuttle with a cork base covered by a thin layer of leather (Law 2.1).
Feathered shuttle (Law 2.2)
- 16 feathers fixed in the base;
- feathers of uniform length, from 62 mm to 70 mm, measured from the tip to the top of the base;
- the tips of the feathers lie on a circle with a diameter from 58 mm to 68 mm;
- feathers fastened firmly with thread or other suitable material;
- base from 25 mm to 28 mm in diameter, rounded on the bottom;
- weight from 4.74 to 5.50 grams.
Non-feathered shuttle (Law 2.3)
A skirt, or a simulation of feathers in synthetic materials, replaces the natural feathers. The base is the same as above, and the measurements and weight are those of the feathered shuttle. Because synthetic materials differ from feathers in specific gravity and other properties, a variation of up to 10 per cent is acceptable.
Altitude and climate (Law 2.4)
In places where altitude or climate make the standard shuttle unsuitable, the specifications may be modified with the approval of the Member Association concerned, provided there is no variation in the general design, speed and flight of the shuttle.
Limits
- Law 2.3.3 says "a variation of up to 10 per cent" without saying whether it covers the measurements, the weight or both; we do not interpret it.
- The Laws do not describe the quality of the feathers, nor any brand or speed number (such as "slow" or "fast"). Speed is checked with the method of Law 3, covered in the lesson on testing a shuttle for speed.
- A club does not have to measure each shuttle; this page does not claim that any given shuttle on sale meets or fails these figures.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.