Net Height and Tension Gauge

Table Tennis Equipment

Last updated 2 days ago

Rick August

Rick August Asked 1 week ago

I've used a plastic gauge for setting the net height but I understand that there is a 100 gram metal gauge that can be used to also set the height and the net tension.  Do you know how these metal height/tension gauges should be used?


Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb Answered 1 week ago

G'day Rick, Yes, you're spot on about the use of a 100 gram metal gauge for setting both the net height and tension in table tennis. It's a handy tool for ensuring that your net meets the official standards, which can really help in both practice and competitive settings. Here’s how you use it:

1. Setting the Net Height: Place the gauge on top of the net at the middle. The standard net height should be 15.25 cm from the playing surface. The gauge typically has a measure for this height. If the net sags under the weight of the gauge, you'll need to adjust the net posts to raise the net until the gauge just touches and doesn't press down the net. 

2. Checking the Tension: For setting the net tension, my understanding is that you hang the gauge using the 14.25 cm location over the center of the net and you adjust the tension so that the bottom of the gauge just touches the table top. This means that the 100 gram weight of the gauge causes the center of the net to sag 1 cm which indicates the correct net tension.

This gauge not only ensures that the height and tension are up to standards, but it also helps in maintaining a uniform playing condition, which is crucial for both training and matches.

Here's a picture of one of these 100 gram Metal Net Gauge:

100 gram Metal Net Gauge

Hope that helps, Rick! Let me know if there’s anything else you need. Keep on playing!


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Rick August

Rick August Posted 1 week ago

Hi Jeff.  The metal 100 gram gauges seem to have two different distances on the gauge to the table surface.  One is 15.25 cm which is the desired net height and the other is 14.25 cm which I believe is the tension adjustment.  I thought that the tension adjust was done by hanging the 14.25 cm portion of the gauge from the middle of the net and then you adjust the net tension so that the bottom of the gauge hits the table surface.  This means that the net sags 1 cm under the 100 gram weight which indicates the correct amount of tension.  Am I wrong about this?  I've never used a gauge like this for adjusting the net tension.


Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 1 week ago

Hi Rick,

Thanks so much for following up. It does seem like you are spot on with how these gauges work. I'll update my original answer so as not to mislead anyone. I'll also add the picture you sent me as I think it helps explain how they are used.


Philip Samuel

Philip Samuel Posted 4 days ago

Hi Jeff

Just to be sure, what is the correct way to do it, as I have the same issue, and a metal gauge. Thanks


Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 2 days ago

Hi Philip,

I've updated the original question to show the correct method. Have a go and let me know if it works for you.


Philip Samuel

Philip Samuel Posted 2 days ago

Thanks Jeff. Works well.



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