Pool tables · 5 min read
7 vs 8 vs 9 foot pool tables: which size to buy
Who each pool table size is for, the room each one needs, how they play, and what the 7, 8 and 9 ft tables in our catalog cost.
Updated November 3, 2026 · Grand Game Room specialists
The choice between a 7, 8 and 9 foot pool table is mostly decided by your room, and then by how seriously you play. Money comes third, because the price steps between sizes are smaller than the cost of owning a table that does not suit the room. Here is how the three sizes differ in the ways that matter once the table is in your house.
The three sizes at a glance
Regulation playing surfaces are about 78 x 39 in for a 7 ft table, about 88 x 44 in for an 8 ft table (pro 8 ft is about 92 x 46 in), and 100 x 50 in for a 9 ft table. The figures below come from the models in our catalog. Room sizes assume a standard 58 in cue, measured from the outside of the cabinet.
| Size | Our models and prices | Minimum room | Weight | Slate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 ft | Brunswick Allenton, $4,495 | 17.2 x 14 ft | About 725 lb | Three-piece, 1 in |
| 8 ft | Olhausen York, $5,995; Brunswick Glenwood, $7,495 | 18 x 14.5 ft | About 890 to 900 lb | Three-piece, 1 in |
| 9 ft | Olhausen Augusta, $9,995; Brunswick Centennial, $14,495 | 19 x 15 ft to 19.2 x 15.1 ft | About 1,050 to 1,250 lb | Three-piece, 1 in |
Notice how little the room requirement changes between sizes. Going from 8 ft to 9 ft adds roughly 1 ft in length and 6 in in width, but the price goes up by $2,500 to $4,000 from the 8 ft tables we stock to the Augusta. The room is the real gate; once you pass it, you pay for the table, not for the floor.
7 ft: the room-friendly table
A 7 ft table is a bar-size table, and it plays like one: shorter shots, quicker games, and a layout that rewards position play over long power shots. It is the right choice for rooms in the 17 x 14 ft range, for households with children learning the game, and for anyone who wants a real slate bed without giving up the rest of the room.
The Brunswick Allenton is our 7 ft table at $4,495. It has the same three-piece, 1 in slate as the larger tables. The compromise is play feel, not construction. Players who grew up on 9 ft tables will find the 7 footer crowded, because the balls are the same size and the table is not.
If the room is close to the limit, a shorter cue can buy back a foot. The pool table room size guide has the full chart for 48, 52 and 58 in cues.
8 ft: the full-size home table
An 8 ft table is what most people mean by a full-size table for the house. The playfield feels roomy without demanding the floor space of a 9 footer, and it is the size that fits most dens, basements and dedicated rooms once the cue clearance is counted. Shots are longer than on a 7 ft table, pockets are less forgiving, and you get a real game of position.
We stock two. The Olhausen York at $5,995 has a furniture look and a choice of wood tones, which suits a living room or a den where the table is visible from the rest of the house. The Brunswick Glenwood at $7,495 steps up to a heavier frame with solid rails and more detailing. On paper the two share the same 44 x 88 in playfield, the same three-piece 1 in slate and the same wool-blend cloth. The extra $1,500 buys the frame, the finish and the brand, so choose it because you like the cabinet, not because you expect the ball to roll differently.
9 ft: the competition size
A 9 ft table, with its 50 x 100 in playfield, is the size used for most competitive play. Shots are long, the pockets are less forgiving, and the game demands cleaner stroke mechanics. If you play in a league or you want the room to feel like a pool hall, this is the table.
It also asks the most of the house. The Olhausen Augusta at $9,995 weighs about 1,050 lb on six legs, and the Brunswick Centennial at $14,495 weighs about 1,250 lb. Both need a room of at least 19 x 15 ft, a solid floor, and a delivery path wide enough for the slate. Plan for the table to stay where it is first set up, because moving a 9 footer means taking it apart and re-leveling the slate.
How the sizes compare in price
The catalog prices form three steps: $4,495 for 7 ft, $5,995 to $7,495 for 8 ft, and $9,995 to $14,495 for 9 ft. White glove delivery with installation is a separate $499 on each of these tables, and curbside delivery to the lower 48 is included in the price. For a payment breakdown, our financing page explains how Affirm and Klarna work at checkout, and the pool table cost guide adds the extras that show up after delivery.
How to decide
- Measure the room and run it through our room size calculator. Pick the largest size that fits with room to spare, not the largest one that technically fits.
- Be honest about who plays. If the table is mostly for family evenings, 7 or 8 ft is plenty. If two or three people play seriously every week, lean to 9 ft only if the room can hold it.
- Check the path in and the floor. A table that is perfect in the room and impossible on the stairs is a refund, not a purchase. Our shipping and returns page covers delivery and returns.
- Choose the finish and cloth last. They are easy to love and easy to change, and they should not decide the size.
Bottom line
Choose the 7 ft Allenton when the room is around 17 x 14 ft or you want the lowest price on a real slate table. Choose an 8 ft table for most dens and game rooms, with the York for value and the Glenwood for a heavier frame. Choose a 9 ft table only for a room built around it and for players who want the competition feel. When two sizes fit, the smaller one that leaves you room to move almost always gets used more. All of them are in our pool tables category.
Frequently asked questions
Is an 8 ft pool table big enough for serious practice?
Yes for most home players. An 8 ft playfield is 44 x 88 in, long enough that shots require real cue control. A 9 ft table is the better trainer only if you plan to play competitively on 9 ft tables.
What is the real difference between a 7 ft and 8 ft table?
About 10 in of length and 5 in of width on the playing surface, which means longer shots and more room to maneuver the cue ball. The room requirement grows by roughly 10 in in length and 6 in in width on the models we sell.
Do all three sizes use the same balls and cues?
Yes. The balls are the same size on every table and a standard 57 to 58 in cue works on all three. Only the playing surface changes.
Can I start with 7 ft and upgrade later?
You can, but a slate table is heavy to move and resell. If the room can hold an 8 ft table, buy that now rather than planning to trade up.