3U, 4U or 5U: how heavy should your racket be?

What the U numbers mean, why most players use 4U, and when to go lighter or heavier.

Racket weights come in classes marked with a U number. The higher the number, the lighter the frame:

• 3U: about 85-89 g
• 4U: about 80-84 g
• 5U: about 75-79 g

A few brands go lighter still (6U and beyond), and a few make heavier 2U frames. The class is the frame on its own: strings and grip add a few grams on top. A code such as 4UG5 on a racket means weight class 4U with a G5 grip.

Most players use 4U

4U is the version brands make most of, and the one most club, league and county players choose. It's light enough to swing quickly and heavy enough to stay stable when a hard shot hits it. If you have no particular reason to choose otherwise, choose 4U.

When to go lighter (5U)

• An arm, elbow, wrist or shoulder injury, or pain you're managing.
• Younger players moving up to a full-length racket, and older players.
• A 4U that feels heavy by the end of a session.

A lighter frame swings faster but gives a little when it meets a hard smash, so it can feel less solid.

When to go heavier (3U)

A 3U suits strong singles players who want a solid, stable feel and more weight behind clears and smashes. It asks more of your arm over a long match.

Weight and balance work together

A light racket can still feel heavy if it's very head-heavy, and a 3U can feel quick if it's head-light. Choose the balance for your game first, then the weight: see racket balance.

Our lightweight (5U) list ranks lighter rackets in stock in the UK.