If your strings are looking frayed or just feel "dead" every time you hit the ball, you're likely wondering how much does it cost to string a tennis racquet so you can get back to playing your best. To give you the quick answer right off the bat: you're usually looking at a range of $20 to $70.
I know that's a pretty wide gap, but there's a good reason for it. The total price is essentially a math equation involving two parts: the cost of the string itself and the labor fee for the person actually doing the work. Depending on whether you're buying basic nylon or high-end natural gut, and whether you're taking it to a local pro shop or a big-box sporting goods store, that number can swing wildly.
Breaking down the two main costs
When you drop your racquet off at a shop, they're going to charge you for the physical materials and the time it takes to weave those strings through the frame.
The cost of the strings
String prices vary more than you might think. You can find a basic reel or individual set of synthetic gut for as little as $5 to $8. On the flip side, if you want what the pros use—like high-quality natural gut—you could easily drop $45 to $55 just for the package of string. Most intermediate players end up picking something in the $12 to $20 range, which is where most decent multifilaments and polyesters live.
The labor fee
The labor cost is what you pay the "stringer" for their expertise and the use of their machine. In a typical tennis shop or club, labor usually runs between $15 and $25. If you're at a high-end country club or a specialized boutique, it might creep up to $30. If you bring your own string (which many people do to save money by buying in bulk), some shops might charge a slightly higher labor fee—maybe a $5 "BYO" surcharge—because they aren't making a profit on the material sale.
Which string type should you choose?
The type of string you pick is the biggest factor in the final bill. It's not just about the price, though; it's about how it feels when you make contact with the ball.
- Synthetic Gut: This is the budget-friendly king. It's usually made of nylon and is great for beginners or casual players. It's affordable, usually costing around $20 to $30 total (including labor).
- Multifilament: Think of this as the "luxury" version of synthetic strings. It's designed to mimic natural gut by using hundreds of tiny fibers. It's much softer on the arm, which is great if you deal with tennis elbow. You'll usually pay $35 to $50 for a full job with these.
- Polyester (Poly): This is what you see most competitive players using today. It's stiff, durable, and offers a ton of control and spin. However, it loses tension fast. A poly job usually lands in the $40 to $55 range.
- Natural Gut: The "gold standard." It's made from cow intestines (sounds gross, feels amazing) and holds its tension better than anything else. Because it's so labor-intensive to produce, a natural gut string job will almost always cost you over $60, sometimes hitting $80 if the labor is expensive.
Where you get it done matters
Where you live and where you go will definitely change the answer to how much does it cost to string a tennis racquet.
If you go to a big-box store, you might get a cheaper labor rate, but the quality of the stringing can be a bit of a gamble. Sometimes you get an expert; sometimes you get a teenager who was working the shoe department ten minutes ago.
Local pro shops and tennis clubs are the most common choice. They usually have certified stringers who know exactly how to handle different frames. You'll pay a fair market rate here, and they can often give you advice on what tension is best for your game.
Then there are the "garage stringers." These are local players who own their own machines and string out of their homes. They often charge the least—sometimes just $10 or $15 for labor—because they don't have the overhead of a retail shop. If you can find a reliable local stringer, this is usually the best way to keep your costs down.
How often do you actually need to restring?
It's easy to think you only need new strings when they snap, but that's a bit of a myth. Strings lose their "life" long before they break. They lose tension, meaning the ball starts flying off your racquet like it's a trampoline, or they "go dead," meaning you have to swing twice as hard to get the same power.
A common rule of thumb in the tennis world is that you should restring your racquet as many times per year as you play per week. So, if you play three times a week, you should probably be looking at a fresh string job every four months.
If you're using polyester strings, you might need to do it even more often. Poly strings "dead" out much faster than synthetic gut. Even if they haven't snapped, they might feel like a board after three or four weeks of heavy play. If you start feeling unusual soreness in your wrist or elbow, that's a huge red flag that your strings are past their prime.
Are there ways to save money?
If you find yourself playing four or five times a week, the cost of stringing can really add up. Here are a few ways to keep the wallet from thinning out too much:
- Buy a reel: Instead of buying individual sets of string for $15 each, buy a 660-foot reel. It usually holds enough for 16 to 18 racquets. This can drop your per-racquet string cost by 30% or more.
- Hybrid stringing: This is when you use a more expensive string (like natural gut or high-end poly) for the "mains" (the vertical strings) and a cheaper synthetic gut for the "crosses" (the horizontal ones). You get a lot of the performance benefits without the full price tag.
- Learn to do it yourself: If you're really serious about the sport, you might want to buy a stringing machine. A decent entry-level "drop-weight" machine costs about $300 to $500. It sounds like a lot, but if you're paying $25 for labor twice a month, the machine pays for itself in about a year. Plus, there's something pretty satisfying about prepping your own gear.
Don't forget the little extras
Sometimes, when you ask how much does it cost to string a tennis racquet, you might get quoted a price that includes more than just the strings. Most stringers will check your grommets (the plastic inserts the string goes through) and make sure they aren't cracked. If they are, they might need replacing to prevent the frame from cutting the new string.
It's also a great time to replace your overgrip. Most shops will throw a new one on for an extra $2 to $5, which makes the whole racquet feel brand new again.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, your strings are the only part of your equipment that actually touches the ball. You could have a $250 racquet, but if the strings are two years old and loose, it's going to play like a $20 grocery store special.
Spending that $30 to $50 every few months isn't just about maintenance; it's about making sure you're actually enjoying the game. There's nothing quite like the sound and feel of a freshly strung racquet—it just gives you that extra bit of confidence when you're stepping up to serve. So, check your strings, find a local pro you trust, and get that racquet back in top shape. Your game (and your arm) will thank you.