Billiard Room Sizes

Billiards room sizes will depend on the table and cue you will use. It is true that the bigger the room, the better off you will be. For more precise measurements you can use the following as a guide.

Playing Space

The first rule is that players must have enough room to maneuver and shoot on all sides. For tables measuring 3.5′ x 7′, the minimum room size needed is 16′ 8" x 13′ 6", with the actual playing surface at 39.5" x 79".

A table measuring 4′ x 8′ needs a room space of 17′ 4" x 13′ 11" and has a playing surface of 44" x 88". The 4.25′ x 8.5′ table needs at least 17′ 9" x 14′ 1" with a playing surface of 46" x 92". If you want a table measuring 4.5′ x 9′, the room should measure 18′ 4" x 14′ 6". The playing surface is 50" x 100".

Other Billiards Room Size Considerations

The 4 1/2 foot x 9 foot table needs more room than a 7 foot pool table. If you want to buy other pool tables with different sizes, you need to know the cue stick size. The standard two piece cues are 58 inches long.

To simplify calculations, the room length must be twice the cue length plus the pool table length. The width of the room should be twice the cue length plus the pool table width.

Here is an actual example: you have prepared a room 16 feet 8 inches x 14 feet. By converting this into inches, you get a room that is 200 inches long x 168 inches wide. To get the billiards room size, double the cue length (58 x 2 = 116 inches).

The room length is 84 inches (200 – 116). The room width is 168 inches with twice the cue length subtracted. 116 inches is the same as 52 inches allowed for the table width.

The available space then, is sufficient for a table 84 inches long x 52 inches wide. In this example, the room dimensions are most suitable for a 7 foot table.

Shorter Cues and Pole Beams

The measurements given here are for 58 inch cues. There are smaller cue sticks available. If you use these, you will need less space (keeping the table size in mind of course).

If you are in a low level room, you can still play billiards even if there is a beam. You can get around this by positioning the table so the beam is at the side, not the end.

If this is not possible, place it at the point where you break, not the rack part. The reason is that players take more shots from the rack end. If the pole is at the table side, it should be near the table head.

The billiards room size is not that difficult to figure out once you take the cue and table size into account. With a bit of figuring, you should be able to set up the room correctly and enjoy the game.