If you've noticed your shots are flying long or your strings sound like a flat "thud" instead of a crisp "pop," you're probably wondering how much to string a racquet these days. It's one of those maintenance tasks that every tennis, racquetball, or squash player has to deal with eventually, but the price range can be surprisingly wide. Depending on where you live and what kind of performance you're looking for, you could be looking at the price of a cheap lunch or a fancy steak dinner.
The short answer is that most players end up spending somewhere between $30 and $70 per racquet. However, that total is usually split into two distinct parts: the cost of the actual string and the labor fee for the person doing the work. Let's break down those costs so you don't get sticker shock the next time you drop your gear off at the shop.
Understanding the labor fee
Unless you own a stringing machine and know how to use it, you're going to have to pay someone for their time. This is the "labor" part of the equation. On average, a professional stringer will charge anywhere from $15 to $25 just to put the strings in.
If you go to a big-box sporting goods store, they usually have a flat rate that's on the lower end of that scale. However, there's a bit of a trade-off there. The teenager working the Saturday shift might not be as meticulous as a certified stringer at a dedicated tennis boutique. If you go to a high-end club or a specialized shop, you might pay closer to $25 or $30 for labor, but you're paying for the peace of mind that the tension will be exactly what you asked for and that your frame won't be damaged in the process.
Some local "basement stringers"—the guys in the neighborhood who have a machine in their garage—might do it for as little as $10 or $12 if you're a friend. These guys are often the best deal in town if they know what they're doing.
How string choice changes the price
The biggest variable in how much to string a racquet is the string itself. There are hundreds of different types of strings on the market, and they aren't all created equal.
Synthetic Gut (The Budget Choice)
If you're a beginner or just a casual weekend warrior, synthetic gut is your best friend. It's usually made of nylon and is designed to be a "jack of all trades." You can pick up a set for about $5 to $10. It's durable enough for most people and feels decent on the arm. Total cost with labor: ~$25 to $35.
Multifilament (The Arm-Saver)
If you have a history of tennis elbow or just like a softer, more "plush" feel, you'll likely want multifilament strings. These are designed to mimic the feel of natural gut by using thousands of tiny fibers wrapped together. Expect to pay between $15 and $30 for the strings alone. Total cost with labor: ~$40 to $55.
Polyester (The Spin Machine)
Polyester (or "poly") strings are incredibly popular with intermediate and advanced players because they allow for massive spin and control. However, they are stiff and lose their tension much faster than other types. A decent set of poly will run you $12 to $20. Total cost with labor: ~$35 to $50.
Natural Gut (The Gold Standard)
This is the "Rolls Royce" of strings. It's made from cow serosa and offers a feel and power that synthetic materials just can't touch. It's also incredibly expensive, usually costing $45 to $60 just for the strings. If you're putting natural gut in your racquet, you're easily looking at a $70 to $90 bill. It sounds crazy, but for some players, the performance is worth every penny.
Buying your own string in bulk
If you find yourself breaking strings every two weeks, buying individual packets is a great way to go broke quickly. Most regular players eventually start buying "reels." A reel is a massive spool of string—usually 660 feet—that can string about 16 to 18 racquets.
While a reel might cost you $100 to $200 upfront, it slashes the "per-racquet" string cost significantly. You might bring the cost of a $15 set down to $8 or $9. Most pro shops are totally fine with you bringing in your own string from a reel; they'll just charge you the labor fee. If you're serious about the game, this is the smartest way to manage how much to string a racquet over the course of a year.
When is it time to restring?
A big part of the cost conversation is how often you actually have to do it. There's an old rule of thumb in the tennis world: restring your racquet as many times per year as you play per week. If you play three times a week, restring it three times a year.
However, that rule is a bit outdated because modern strings (especially polyester) "go dead" long before they actually snap. When a string goes dead, it loses its elasticity. You'll feel like you have to swing harder to get the ball deep, and the vibrations can start to hurt your wrist or elbow. If you notice your strings are notched (where the strings have sawed into each other) or they don't snap back into place after a hit, it's probably time to spend the money.
Are there hidden costs?
Sometimes, you'll drop your racquet off and the stringer will call you with a bit of "bad news." The most common hidden cost is grommet replacement. The grommets are the little plastic tubes that protect the strings from the sharp edges of the racquet frame. Over time, these crack or wear down. If they aren't replaced, your new strings will snap almost immediately. A new set of grommets usually costs about $10 to $15, plus a little extra for the labor of installing them.
You might also decide to refresh your overgrip while the racquet is on the bench. Most shops will throw a new grip on for $5, or they might even do it for free if you're a regular customer.
Doing it yourself: Is it worth it?
If the recurring cost is getting to you, you might wonder if you should just buy a machine. You can find a basic "drop-weight" stringing machine for about $200 to $300.
If you're paying $20 for labor every time you get a restring, the machine pays for itself after about 10 to 15 uses. It's a bit of a learning curve—your first few racquets will probably take you two hours and look a little wonky—but once you get the hang of it, you can finish a racquet in 30 to 40 minutes while watching a game on TV. It's a great way to save money in the long run, and you can even make a little cash on the side by stringing for your teammates.
Final thoughts on the price
At the end of the day, worrying about how much to string a racquet shouldn't keep you off the court. If you're on a tight budget, go with a basic synthetic gut at a local sports shop. You'll be out $30 and your racquet will feel a thousand times better than it did with those two-year-old strings you've been using.
If you're a competitive player, think of restringing like an oil change for your car. It's not the most exciting way to spend $50, but it's the only way to keep the machine running the way it was designed to. Fresh strings can actually improve your game more than a brand-new racquet can, so it's usually money well spent.