person playing billiards

How Much Room Do You Need for a Pool Table? | What You Need to Know

How much room do you need for a pool table? Well, it depends on a lot of factors. Many people love the idea of having a nice game room, and pool tables are a staple of a good game room. They’re big and unwieldy, though. If you’re wondering how much room do you need for a pool table, take heart. There’s an excellent way to figure this out before you even purchase your table.

Speaking of pool tables, we have a refined selection of best pool tables to buy this year. However, it is crucial to consider the pool table dimensions relative to your room before you get your hands on the table itself.

How Much Room Do You Need for a Pool Table?

How much room do you need for a pool table? Well, it depends. You have to ask and answer a lot of questions before you can determine how much room you need.

Things like table size, the type of games you want to play, the length of the cues you use, and more, all factor into deciding how much room you need for your pool table.

Table size

The first and probably most obvious consideration is table size. Pool tables come in several different sizes. In the United States, standard pool tables come in 3 sizes: 3.5 by 7 feet, 4 by 8 feet, and 4.5 by 9 feet.

There are also oversized tables, so you might want a table that’s listed as 7-feet+ long. That would be an oversized 7-foot table. You’ll mostly find 7-foot, 7-foot+, and 8-foot tables in homes.

You can also get 10-foot and 12-foot-long tables, but you don’t often find these in houses simply because there’s no room.

People also generally use tables that big for different kinds of billiards than that which we use standard pool tables. Unless you want to learn and specialize in those games, you don’t need a 10 or 12-foot table.

What kind of pool do you want to play

However, depending on the type of pool you play in, if you have space, you may well want a table that’s 4.5 by 9 feet.

Why? Bigger tables help you better hone your skills. If you have space and money for a 4.5 by 9-foot table, get that, especially if you want to break into a competitive or professional pool.

Also, you will want a table with regulation proportions, which is any pool table that’s exactly twice as long as it is wide. So if you don’t have space or money for a 9-foot table, a 4-foot by 8-foot table or 3.5-foot by 7-foot table will still give you the proper proportions.

Cue length matters

Pool cues are generally anywhere from 48 to 58 inches long. If you’ve ever played pool in a crowded pool hall or bar and had problems with hitting walls or other people with your cue while setting up and taking your shot, you know how irritated you get when you don’t have enough space.

Now, imagine having that problem in your otherwise perfect game room. How are you going to enjoy yourself if you’re always trying to avoid the walls?

Not only do you need to account for space the table itself requires, but you also need to consider the length of your longest cues.

Measuring your space

Now really, how much room do you need for a pool table? You know all the factors for the table and your game, so now it’s time to measure your space.

Take the measurements of the surface of your ideal pool table and add twice the length of your longest cue. For a table with a playing surface of 50 inches by 100 inches and a cue length of 58 inches, you’ll want to use this equation:

  • It’s 50 + 58(2) x 100 + 58(2). You should get 166 inches and 216 inches, respectively. Divide each number by 12, and you’ll get a minimum space of 13.83 feet by 18 feet.
  • Keep in mind that’s the absolute minimum space you’ll want for a pool table with a playing surface of 50 inches by 100 inches, which is generally a 4.5-foot by 9-foot table.
  • You probably want more space than that if you can. Something like 15 feet by 19 feet would work better for a table that size.

Also, you might have a tight corner unless you can place your table in the center of the room. That’s where you’ll usually just use a shorter cue.

There’s a reason people tend to locate their pool tables in finished basements or other designated rec rooms. They require a lot of space.

The key is ensuring you’ve got the maximum amount of space available to actually play. One tight corner isn’t going to ruin your fun, but tight spacing on most sides will.

What about other furniture in the room?

foosball

What else is in the room? Other game tables, like a foosball table? Your dining room table? A home theater? Maybe just a secondary living room or your regular living room?

You can move things like other game tables around to accommodate your pool table. You can move standard furniture around, too.

If you need to, you can rearrange the whole room, so long as everything in it is mobile.

However, things like home theaters and other amenities are built-in features of your house. You can’t move those around to accommodate your table.

Keep that in mind when you’re measuring your space.

Think about how many people will play

two men playing billiards

Do you frequently have guests over who would use the table? How much room do you need for a pool table if you typically have a lot of people playing?

Your guests want to have fun and be comfortable. If you’ve ever played pool with several others in a crowded place, we’re sure you’re aware of how annoyed you can get.

So take that into account as well. You may find you have to go down a table size for it to fit where you want it.

What if the table is for your kids? You can get a smaller, shorter table for them. If they’re the ones who will use it the most often, that gives you more flexibility in your space.

In all cases, though, you should be very mindful of the space you really have available in your house for a pool table.

Other considerations and frequently asked questions

You have a few other things to think about before you buy a pool table, too.

  • Moving the table through your house
  • Light fixtures
  • Floor décor

We talked about these issues when we presented you with the best pool tables to get this year. Pool table lighting and having enough space to move around your room are crucial aspects you need to consider even before measuring the table or the room.

As FAQs go, before we wrap up this article, let’s take a look at some of the answers people want the most when it comes to creating a pool room in their homes!

What size room do you need for a 7ft pool table?

The ideal size room for a 7ft pool table depends on the cues you want to use. So here are some pool table dimensions in relation to the pool cues’ length and room size to determine what works best for you:

  • 7ft pool table with 48″ cues – the room should be about 13′ x 16′;
  • 7ft pool table with 58″ cues – the room should be about 14′ x 17′.

The most significant consideration besides finding out how much room you need for a pool table is how you’ll get it where you want it.

You have to get it through your door, around corners, and possibly up or down some stairs.

Hallways and interior doorways play a significant role, too. When you’re taking your measurements, measure everything through which you’ll have to move the table to get it where you want it.

Keep in mind the fact that even if the legs of your pool table come off, you still have to move the entire tabletop through these areas and around obstacles. So before you purchase your table, do your best to ensure you can get it into and through your house.

Nowadays there are many pool tables that come on wheels for easier storage and movement. If you get a table with wheels the width of that table is more important than ever. It would be a shame to buy a mobile table just to discover it won’t fit through any doorways.

Light fixtures

You’re most likely going to ensure you have proper overhead lighting before you buy a pool table.

But what about wall fixtures? That matters, too. If you have light fixtures on your walls, you need to take those into account when measuring your space. And if you’re still working on your area, install your light fixtures before you measure the space for the ta

You might have the coolest area rugs or other décor on the floor where you want your pool table to go, too.

However, if it doesn’t have a non-slip underside or you haven’t put a non-slip pad underneath, you might find yourself in some trouble. Be sure your rugs don’t slip on your flooring before you bring your pool table home.

If all of this seems like too much for an answer to, “How much room do you need for a pool table,” you can always call an expert to come and take a look.

Search for a business that specializes in moving and placing pool tables. They’ll not only be able to accurately measure your space, but they’ll also be able to evaluate doorways, stairways, and more, to see if you’re going to have problems getting the table into your space.

How far should be a pool table from any wall?

It is a matter of common sense to place the pool table in the center of your newly created pool room. Make sure you have at least 5 feet distance from the table (margins and corners) to any wall. This space should be lengthier than 5 feet in case you have some cool tricks on your sleeve and you want to show them to your guests. In any case, a minimum of 5 feet around the table to all corners should be enough to allow you to play pool and position your cue so you don’t hit the walls.

What is the most popular pool table size?

In most pool bars, halls, and tournaments, the standard pool table is the 9ft one. However, it might be a tad larger for your living room or basement. If you consider remodeling a room for pool games, you should choose a 7ft pool table. You could also go for the 8ft type, but you need to get the room sizing perfectly. Here are the ideal room size dimensions in case you want to bring home an 8ft pool table:

  • 8ft pool table with 48″ cues – the room should be about 14′ x 17′;
  • 8ft pool table with 58″ cues – the room should be about 14′ x 18′.

Can you install a pool table in a carpeted room?

Technically, hardwood floors are the best ones for a pool table and its players. If you leave the carpet, you will have to adjust it frequently,  not to mention vacuum and clean it regularly. On the other hand, floors with rugs also work well with pool tables as they protect the floors from traffic, bumps, balls falling on the floor, and all other accidents.

So How Much Room Do You Need for a Pool Table? Bottom Line

pool table in the living room

How much room do you need for a pool table? Like so many other things, it depends. The size of the table you want, the lengths of your cues, the number of people you want playing, and your overall space, all factor into how much room you need.

And remember, you don’t have to figure all of this out yourself if you don’t want to. You can find experts who will help you answer “how much room do you need for a pool table,” and even help you move it into your house.

Another option you could consider is getting a dual-use table. There are many different game tables that can be used for pool, then add a top piece and the table can be used for puzzles, board games, or card games. If you are willing to dedicate a space in your house to a pool table, it might as well be for multiple uses! This pool table, for example, can be used for pool, air hockey, and ping pong. A table like this might just make the sacrifice of space feel a little bit more worth it in case you weren’t already convinced you should give up the space.

Regardless of the direction in which you go, just keep in mind that you need a lot of room, even for a small pool table. However, you’re now equipped to figure out just how much space you need. So if a pool table is what you’re after, now you know how to be sure you have the space for it. Just remember that playing pool is not as easy as it seems! Check out our guides on how to rack a pool table like a pro, how to buy and install the best pool table for the money, and what cues are the best to boost your game!

Have questions or ideas? Do you want to play pool at home this year and want to learn more about organizing the room? Let us know in the comment section below! Also, tell us more about your experiences with choosing and installing a pool table in your home!

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