Tennis Racket Grip Size Guide: How to Measure L1, L2, L3
What L1, L2 and L3 mean, how to measure your hand, and how overgrips fine-tune fit.
Tennis racket grip size guide: what L1, L2 and L3 mean
Getting your tennis racket grip size right makes the racket feel like part of your arm — too small and it twists on contact, too big and you strain to hold it. This grip size guide explains what the L1, L2 and L3 markings mean, how to measure your hand, and how overgrips let you fine-tune fit. It applies whether you are buying your first racket or replacing a worn grip.
What do L1, L2 and L3 mean?
The L numbers on a tennis racket are grip sizes, measured as the circumference of the handle. L1 is the smallest at 4 1/8 inches, L2 is the medium 4 1/4 inches, and L3 is the larger 4 3/8 inches. As a rough guide, L1 suits juniors and many female players, L2 is the most common women's and smaller men's size, and L3 is the most common men's size. Adult players generally fall between 4 inches and 4 5/8 inches. Adult rackets such as the Cosco Drive 23 Tennis Racket (₹1,215) and Cockatoo 23 Tennis Racket (₹913) list their grip size so you can match it to your hand.
How to measure your grip size
There are two simple methods. The ruler method: open your dominant hand and measure from the bottom lateral crease of your palm to the tip of your ring finger — that measurement in inches is your grip size. The index-finger test: hold the racket in an eastern forehand grip and slide the index finger of your other hand into the gap between your fingertips and palm. If your finger fits snugly, the size is right; if there's extra room it's too big, and if it won't fit it's too small. Junior players sizing up over time are well served by an adjustable-feel frame like the Head Radical JR.23 2024 Tennis Racket (₹2,361).
When in doubt, size down and use an overgrip
If you're stuck between two sizes, choose the smaller one. You can always build a handle up with an overgrip, but you cannot shrink a handle that's already too large. Overgrips also let you dial in feel, add tackiness and replace worn wraps cheaply — a Babolat Syntec Uptake Tennis Replacement Grip (Single Piece) (₹366) refreshes an old handle in minutes. Remember that adding an overgrip increases the effective size by roughly 1/16 inch, so factor that in if you're already at the top of your range.
| Size | Circumference | Typical player |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | 4 1/8 in | Juniors, many women |
| L2 | 4 1/4 in | Common women's / smaller men's |
| L3 | 4 3/8 in | Most common men's |
Shop the gear
- Babolat Syntec Uptake Tennis Replacement Grip (Single Piece) — ₹366
- Cosco Drive 23 Tennis Racket — ₹1,215
- Head Radical JR.23 2024 Tennis Racket — ₹2,361
- Cockatoo 23 Tennis Racket — ₹913
Related reading
- Best Tennis Rackets for Intermediate Players in India
- How to Choose Tennis Shoes: Clay, Hard and All-Court
Frequently asked questions
What do L1, L2 and L3 mean on a tennis racket?
They are grip sizes measured by handle circumference. L1 is 4 1/8 inches, L2 is 4 1/4 inches and L3 is 4 3/8 inches, with L1 the smallest and L3 the largest of the three.
How do I measure my tennis grip size?
Measure from the bottom lateral crease of your palm to the tip of your ring finger — that length in inches is your grip size. Alternatively, use the index-finger test in an eastern forehand grip to check the fit.
Should I size up or down if I'm between grip sizes?
Size down. You can build a smaller handle up with an overgrip, which adds about 1/16 inch, but you cannot make a handle that's already too large any smaller.