Racquet string comes in a variety of gauges. Below is a brief summary that hits some of the high points.
| GUIDE TO STRING GAUGES |
|---|
| 15 GAUGE |
| Ultra thick string. Highly durable. Great for high school tennis programs and loaner racquets where durability matters more than playability. |
| 16 GAUGE |
| Most common gauge for tennis. Most common gauge for pre-strung tennis racquets. Reasonably durable. Capable of generating sufficient spin to satisfy most tennis players. Is sometimes used by squash players seeking maximum durability. |
| 17 GAUGE |
| Suitable for tennis, squash and racquetball. Preferred by tennis players who like to generate extra spin. Additional stretch offers additional power. Popular gauge for tennis players who use polyester strings. This is also the most common gauge for squash and racquetball. |
| 18 GAUGE |
| Suitable for tennis or squash. Extreme touch and spin, but not very durable. Excellent ball pocketing for added power. Like natural gut, 18 gauge is a bit of a status symbol for tennis players. |
| 19 GAUGE |
| Suitable for squash. Extreme touch and spin, but not very durable. Excellent ball pocketing for added power. Not recommended for frequent string breakers. |
| 20 GAUGE |
| Thick badminton string. Typically used by schools and community centres in program racquets. Sometimes used by players looking for exceptional durability. |
| 21 GAUGE |
| Most common gauge for badminton string. Not suitable for anything other than badminton. |