Snooker table sizes and markings
A full-size snooker table is 12 feet long and 6 feet wide. The playing surface inside the cushions measures 11 feet 8 1/2 inches by 5 feet 10 inches.
Full-size dimensions
| Measurement | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Playing surface, length | 11 ft 8 1/2 in | 3,569 mm |
| Playing surface, width | 5 ft 10 in | 1,778 mm |
| Height from floor to top of cushion | 2 ft 9 1/2 in to 2 ft 10 1/2 in | 851 to 876 mm |
| Baulk line from the bottom cushion | 29 in | 737 mm |
| Radius of the D | 11 1/2 in | 292 mm |
| Ball diameter | 2 1/16 in | 52.5 mm |
The markings
The baulk line runs across the table 29 inches from the bottom cushion. The area behind it is called baulk.
The D is a semicircle drawn on the baulk line, opening towards the bottom cushion. The cue ball is placed anywhere inside it for the opening shot and whenever it has been potted.
Where the colours go
| Ball | Spot |
|---|---|
| Yellow | On the baulk line, at the right-hand corner of the D as you look up the table |
| Green | On the baulk line, at the left-hand corner of the D |
| Brown | On the baulk line, in the middle |
| Blue | In the exact centre of the table |
| Pink | Midway between the blue spot and the top cushion |
| Black | 12 3/4 inches from the top cushion |
The fifteen reds are racked in a triangle behind the pink, with the front red as close to the pink as possible without touching it.
A simple way to remember the baulk colours from left to right is “God Bless You”: green, brown, yellow.
If a spot is occupied
When a colour has to be put back and its own spot is covered, it goes on the highest-value spot that is free. If every spot is covered, it goes as near to its own spot as possible, on the line towards the top cushion.
Smaller tables
Many pubs, clubs and homes have tables smaller than full size.
| Nominal size | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 12 ft | Clubs and tournaments |
| 10 ft | Clubs with limited space |
| 9 ft and 8 ft | Small clubs and large games rooms |
| 6 ft and 7 ft | Homes and pubs |
Smaller tables keep the same proportions and the same layout of spots. Very small tables often use smaller balls and sometimes ten reds instead of fifteen.
Room size
A table needs clear space on all sides for the cue. As a rule, allow at least the length of a cue, about five feet, beyond each cushion. A full-size table therefore needs a room of roughly 22 feet by 16 feet.