What this calculator does
Pool and snooker tables are sold in a handful of standard sizes, named by their approximate outer length: 7 foot bar-box tables, 8 foot and 9 foot pool tables, and the much larger 12 foot snooker table. What actually matters for cloth, covers and room clearance is the playing surface inside the cushions, which is roughly twice as long as it is wide on every standard size.
This billiard table sizes calculator takes one of those four standard sizes and works out its playing-surface length and width, area and rail perimeter in feet and inches, metres, centimetres or plain inches, so you are not stuck converting a spec sheet by hand.
The formula
Each standard table size has a fixed playing-surface length and width, in inches. The calculator converts those two figures into whichever unit is selected, using 1 inch = 0.0254 metres, then computes area as length x width and perimeter as 2 x (length + width), the same as for any rectangle.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Playing surface | The area inside the cushions where balls are in play, smaller than the table's outer footprint. |
| Area | Length x width of the playing surface, useful for ordering cloth or a fitted cover. |
| Rail perimeter | The total length of cushion around the table, 2 x (length + width). |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Table size | Choose the standard table size: 7 foot, 8 foot, 9 foot (regulation pool) or 12 foot (snooker). |
| Show dimensions in | Choose which unit to display the length, width, area and perimeter in. |
When to use it
Ordering a replacement cloth or cover
Cloth and fitted covers are cut to the playing-surface dimensions, not the table's outer size, so knowing the exact inside measurements avoids ordering the wrong fit.
Checking a table fits a room
Working out the playing-surface area and comparing it against the table's footprint, plus cue-length clearance around the edges, is the first step in deciding whether a table size suits a given room.
Comparing pool and snooker sizes
A 12 foot snooker table has roughly four times the playing-surface area of a 7 foot bar-box table, which is a useful thing to see side by side before choosing between the two games.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How playing-surface area compares across standard table sizes
Each standard size, with dimensions displayed in feet and inches.
| Table size | Playing surface | Playing surface area |
|---|---|---|
| 7 foot | 6ft 6.0in x 3ft 3.0in | 21.13 sq ft |
| 8 foot | 7ft 8.0in x 3ft 10.0in | 29.39 sq ft |
| 9 foot | 8ft 4.0in x 4ft 2.0in | 34.72 sq ft |
| 12 foot snooker | 11ft 8.0in x 5ft 10.0in | 68.06 sq ft |
What are the playing-surface dimensions in metric?
The same four standard sizes, converted to centimetres.
| Table size | Playing surface | Rail (cushion) perimeter |
|---|---|---|
| 7 foot | 198.1 cm x 99.1 cm | 594.4 cm |
| 8 foot | 233.7 cm x 116.8 cm | 701.0 cm |
| 9 foot | 254.0 cm x 127.0 cm | 762.0 cm |
| 12 foot snooker | 355.6 cm x 177.8 cm | 1,066.8 cm |
Questions
Why is the playing surface smaller than the table's named size?
The named size (7 foot, 8 foot, 9 foot) refers to the table's approximate overall footprint including the frame and cushions, not the inside playing area. The playing surface itself is somewhat smaller in both directions.
Do all manufacturers use exactly these dimensions?
Playing-surface dimensions vary slightly between manufacturers and table types, so treat these as standard, widely used reference figures rather than an exact spec for any one table. Check the manufacturer's own measurements before ordering cloth or a cover.
Why is a pool table's playing surface always close to a 2:1 ratio?
Pool and snooker rules are built around a table twice as long as it is wide, which keeps corner and side pocket angles consistent across every standard size.
What size is a regulation snooker table compared with a pool table?
A full-size snooker table (12 foot) has a playing surface roughly 140 by 70 inches, noticeably larger in both directions than even a 9 foot regulation pool table, which is why snooker rooms need considerably more clearance space.
For converting the resulting dimensions into other length units, see the length converter.