How Much Does It Cost to String a Tennis Racket?

Most players in the US pay between $20 and $75 to restring a tennis racket, with the average around $40.

The total comes down to two things, the string you choose and the labor to install it.

Strings cost about $5-$40 per set, and labor usually runs $15-$35 per racket.

For example, when I string reString Zero at $16 per set at a local pro shop here in Washington DC with a $34 labor fee, my total restringing cost comes to $50.

In this guide you will learn what strings and labor cost, how long stringing takes, whether buying your own machine is worth it, and how to spend less in the long run.

What Do Tennis Strings Cost?

Not all tennis strings cost the same, and the price depends mostly on the string material.

Synthetic gut, sometimes called nylon, is the most affordable at $5-$10 per set. It gives beginners a soft, forgiving feel without much spend.

Polyester sits higher at $10-$20 for a standard 12.2m set, and it is the popular choice for players who want control and spin.

For example, reString Zero, reString Slap, and reString Sync all priced at $16 per set.

Multifilament runs $10-$30 and adds a little comfort and power over polyester. Even so, most players beyond the intermediate level pick polyester for its performance benefits.

Natural gut is the most expensive string at $40 or more per set. It offers exceptional feel and comfort, though few players outside the pro ranks use it.

What Does Stringing Labor Cost?

Labor is the other half of the bill, and what you pay depends on who does the work.

Independent stringers, often working from home, charge the least at $15-$25. Pro shops, sporting goods retailers, and clubs are at $20-$35+.

Where you live shapes the price too. For example, my co-founder Nick pays about 2,000 yen (roughly $12) to string in Tokyo, while I pay $34 here in Washington DC.

A stringer's reputation, delivery time and add-ons can also move the price up or down.

For example, same-day service can add $5-$15, grommet replacement runs about $10-$15, and many shops will fit a new overgrip while they string for another $2-$5.

How Long Does Restringing Take?

Once your racket is on the machine, a stringer needs about 20-45 minutes to finish.

A couple of factors stretch the time on the machine. Closed string patterns take longer to weave, and stiffer polyester strings add a few minutes over softer materials.

However, these factors have a minimal effect for experienced stringers.

The more important variable is how busy the stringer is with other rackets. Generally, you can expect your racket back in 24-48 hours from a stringing shop.

Can You String Your Racket Yourself?

You can, and plenty of players do. Entry-level stringing machines start around $150. At $20-$30 per string job, a machine pays for itself after roughly 10-15 restrings.

There is a learning curve with stringing your racket yourself, but once you get the hang of it, each job takes about 45-90 minutes.

For frequent players who string often, stringing yourself makes sense. For occasional players who string a few times a year, paying a stringer is usually better.

If you do go the DIY route, this is also where buying 200m reels instead of single 12.2m sets starts to pay off, since your cost per restring keeps dropping the more you string.

For example, a reel of reString Zero, reString Slap, and reString Sync is $198 and strings 16 rackets. That works out to $12.37 per restring, which saves you $3.63 compared to the $16 single set price.

How to Spend Less Over Time

Alongside the DIY route and buying reels instead of sets, the clearest way to spend less over time is to string less often. That means choosing strings that play better for longer, not just last a long time.

Creating strings that play better for longer is our primary focus at reString.

We engineer our strings with Signature Snapback technology and strong tension maintenance so they stay performing for the full life of the stringbed, rather than fading after a few sessions.

The payoff is fewer trips to the stringer and less money spent across a season, even when the upfront price sits in the same bracket as other polyester strings.

Summary

Restringing your racket keeps your game sharp, and the cost mostly comes down to two things: the strings you pick and the labor rate where you live.

For most players in the US that means spending $20-$75 each time, with $40 on average.

Before you next have to restring, try out our String Finder to find your perfect string.

About the Author: Juan is the co-founder of reString. He was born in Argentina, raised in Japan, and moved to the US to pursue college tennis. He now plays as an ATP & WTA hitting partner.