What are the rules for table tennis equipment?
A legal bat has a flat, rigid blade that is at least 85% natural wood, covered on each hitting side with an ITTF-authorised rubber: one side black, the other a bright colour distinct from black and the ball. Rubbers must stay within the thickness limits, be fixed with a VOC-free glue, carry the ITTF logo nearest the handle, and never be treated or boosted.
Where the rules come from
The equipment rules are set by the International Table Tennis Federation in the Laws of Table Tennis (chapter 2 of the ITTF Statutes 2026) and the Regulations for International Competitions (chapter 3). In England, Table Tennis England's Laws of Table Tennis 2026-27 apply the same racket laws to regulated competitions, including the requirement that the racket covering is of a brand and type currently authorised by the ITTF. Local leagues follow these laws, although how strictly they check equipment varies.
Blade rules
- Size, shape and weight are free. Law 2.4.1 says the racket may be of any size, shape or weight, but the blade shall be flat and rigid.
- Mostly natural wood. Law 2.4.2 requires at least 85% of the blade's thickness to be natural wood.
- Fibre layers are allowed, within limits. An adhesive layer within the blade may be reinforced with carbon fibre, glass fibre or compressed paper, but must not be thicker than 7.5% of the total thickness or 0.35 mm, whichever is smaller. That is why carbon blades are legal. See our carbon vs all-wood guide.
- Continuous layers. Law 2.4.4 says the blade, any layer within it and any covering or adhesive layer must be continuous and of even thickness.
Rubber rules
Authorised rubbers only
Regulation 3.2.1.3 says any rubber covering the racket "shall be currently authorised by the ITTF". You can check a rubber on the ITTF equipment database, which lists authorised racket coverings. Authorised rubbers carry the ITTF logo, and newer ones an ITTF number, moulded into the sheet.
Logo nearest the handle
The same regulation says the rubber "shall be attached to the blade so that the ITTF logo, the ITTF number (when present), the supplier and brand names are clearly visible nearest the handle". When you glue a rubber, keep the logo at the handle end. Our gluing guide shows how.
Colours
Law 2.4.6 requires the surface on each side to be matt, "black on one side, and of a bright colour clearly distinguishable from black and from the colour of the ball on the other". Red is the traditional second colour, and many brands now also offer other ITTF-authorised bright colours, such as blue, green, pink and violet, in some models. The colour of an individual sheet must be authorised, so check the product page.
Thickness
Under Law 2.4.3, a sandwich rubber (sponge plus topsheet, pimples in or out) must have a total thickness including adhesive of less than 4.05 mm, and an ordinary pimpled rubber with no sponge less than 2.05 mm, subject to any tolerance in the ITTF's technical documents. The ITTF's T4 racket coverings leaflet explains how these limits are applied. Remember that glue counts towards the total, so keep glue layers thin.
Covering to the edge
Law 2.4.5 says the covering must extend up to, but not beyond, the edge of the blade, except near the handle where the fingers grip.
Glue and boosting
Speed glues containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were once used to make rubbers faster. The ITTF stopped approving VOC glues in 2007 and introduced zero-tolerance racket testing from 1 September 2008 (ITTF VOC glue statement). Today, use a water-based or VOC-free table tennis glue; we stock several in our glue range.
Boosting is also banned. Law 2.4.7 states: "The racket covering shall be used without any physical, chemical or other treatment." Regulation 3.4.2.2 adds that coverings must be used as authorised, "without any physical, chemical or other treatment, changing or modifying playing properties, friction, outlook, colour, structure, surface, etc.; in particular, no additives shall be used." That rules out boosters, oils and tuners. Factory-tuned rubbers are fine, because they are authorised as sold. Our rubber care guide explains what you can safely clean with.
Damage and protective fittings
Law 2.4.7.1 allows slight deviations from continuity of surface or uniformity of colour, and helpful or protective fittings, as long as they do not significantly change the characteristics of the surface. A small chip may be accepted, but a badly torn rubber may not. Edge tape is fine and helps protect your blade; see our edge tape range.
Showing your racket
Law 2.4.8 says that before a match, and whenever a player changes racket during a match, they must show the opponent and umpire the racket they are about to use and allow them to examine it. Table Tennis England adds that a racket shall not be changed during an individual match unless it is accidentally damaged so badly that it cannot be used.
The ball
Law 2.3 specifies a 40 mm plastic ball weighing 2.7 g, white or orange. For which balls to buy for matches and practice, read our guide to match vs training balls.
Clothing
Clothing rules sit alongside the equipment rules, including that your shirt's main colour must be clearly different from the ball. See our guide to table tennis clothing rules, and our note on shoes vs trainers.
Local leagues: what is checked
At international level, rackets are tested. In most UK local leagues, checks are informal: opponents and umpires may look at your bat, and the colour and authorisation rules apply. If in doubt, ask your league secretary or check your league handbook. A genuine branded rubber from a recognised manufacturer, glued properly with the logo at the handle, will be accepted almost everywhere.
FAQ
Do rubbers have to be ITTF approved?
For sanctioned competition, yes. Regulation 3.2.1.3 requires rubbers to be currently authorised by the ITTF, and Table Tennis England applies the same rule to regulated competitions. Check a rubber on the ITTF equipment database.
What colours can table tennis rubbers be?
One side must be black. The other must be a bright colour clearly distinguishable from black and from the ball, such as red. Both surfaces must be matt, and the specific colour must be authorised for that rubber.
How thick can a rubber be?
Under Law 2.4.3, a sponge rubber including glue must be less than 4.05 mm thick, and a pimpled rubber without sponge less than 2.05 mm, subject to ITTF tolerances. Glue counts towards the total, so keep layers thin.
Is speed glue legal?
No. Glues containing volatile organic compounds have not been approved since 2007, with zero-tolerance testing from 1 September 2008. Use a water-based or VOC-free table tennis glue.
Is boosting allowed?
No. Law 2.4.7 requires coverings to be used without any physical, chemical or other treatment, and Regulation 3.4.2.2 bans additives. Factory-tuned rubbers are fine as sold.
Are carbon blades legal?
Yes. Law 2.4.2 allows fibre-reinforced adhesive layers within the blade, up to 7.5% of the total thickness or 0.35 mm, whichever is smaller, provided at least 85% of the blade is natural wood.
Shop with confidence
Every rubber we sell is a branded sheet; check the ITTF number on the product. Browse all table tennis rubbers and blades.