If you've noticed your shots are losing their pop or your strings look like a frayed mess, you're likely asking how much does restringing a tennis racket cost before you commit to a refresh. It's one of those maintenance tasks that every player—from the weekend warrior to the club pro—has to deal with eventually. The short answer is that you're usually looking at a range between $20 and $80, but that's a pretty big window.
The actual price depends on a few moving parts: the type of string you pick, the labor fee of the person doing the work, and where you happen to live. Let's break down the real-world costs so you aren't surprised when you drop your racket off at the shop.
The Two Parts of the Price Tag
When you get a racket restrung, you're paying for two distinct things: the physical string itself and the labor of the person using the stringing machine.
If you walk into a shop and pick a string off the wall, they'll usually give you a "total" price. However, if you bring your own string—maybe you bought a set online or have a bulk reel at home—you'll only be charged the labor fee.
Labor Costs
Labor usually runs anywhere from $15 to $30.
If you go to a big-box sporting goods store, you might find the labor on the cheaper side, but you might also be waiting a week to get your racket back. On the other hand, a dedicated tennis boutique or a pro shop at a private club might charge $25 or $30. The trade-off there is usually expertise; a certified stringer knows exactly how to handle different frames and won't accidentally warp your racket head.
String Costs
This is where the price can really swing. You can find basic synthetic gut for about $5 to $10, while high-end natural gut (the gold standard of the tennis world) can easily set you back $45 to $60 just for the material.
Most recreational players land somewhere in the middle, spending $12 to $20 on a decent set of multifilament or polyester strings.
Breaking Down String Types and Their Prices
To really understand how much does restringing a tennis racket cost, you have to know what you're putting into the frame. Not all strings are created equal, and your choice will drastically change your final bill.
Synthetic Gut ($5 – $10)
This is the "budget" option, but honestly, it's perfectly fine for beginners or casual players. It's usually made of nylon and provides a decent, all-around feel. If you're just hitting once a month with friends, there's no reason to spend more. Total cost with labor? Probably around $25 to $35.
Polyester ($12 – $25)
Polyester (or "poly") is what you see the pros using. It's stiff, durable, and offers a ton of control and spin. The downside? It loses its tension faster than a cheap pair of socks. If you choose a popular poly like Luxilon, you're looking at about $20 for the string plus labor, bringing your total to roughly $45 to $55.
Multifilament ($15 – $35)
If you have "tennis elbow" or just want a softer feel, multifilament is the way to go. It's designed to mimic natural gut by using thousands of tiny fibers wrapped together. It's a bit pricier than synthetic gut but way more comfortable. Expect to pay a total of $40 to $65 for a full restring with this stuff.
Natural Gut ($45 – $60+)
This is the caviar of tennis strings. Made from cow intestines (yes, really), it offers unmatched power, comfort, and tension stability. It's incredibly expensive and fragile in the rain. Most people only use this in a "hybrid" setup (natural gut on one set of strings, poly on the other) to keep costs down. A full bed of natural gut will easily push your total cost to $80 or more.
Where You Get It Done Matters
Location is a sneaky factor in the pricing. If you're in a high-cost-of-living city like New York or San Francisco, don't be shocked if the labor alone is $35.
Local "home stringers" are often the best deal. These are usually tennis enthusiasts who own a machine and string rackets in their garage. They might only charge you $15 for labor and often provide a much faster turnaround than a busy retail store. Just make sure they have a good reputation in your local tennis community so you know they won't mess up the tension.
Hidden Costs and Extra Add-ons
Sometimes the bill is a little higher than the "string + labor" math suggests. Here are a few things that might get tacked on:
- Grommet Replacement: If the plastic strips that protect the strings are cracked, the stringer might suggest replacing them. This usually costs $10–$15 plus the price of the parts.
- New Overgrip: Most shops will offer to put on a fresh overgrip for $2 to $5 while they have the racket. It's a small price for that "new racket" feel.
- Stencils: Want that "W" or "Babolat" logo on your strings? Some shops do it for free; others might charge a couple of bucks for the ink.
How Often Should You Pay for This?
Knowing how much does restringing a tennis racket cost is only half the battle; you also need to know how often you're going to be shellout out that cash.
The old rule of thumb is that you should restring your racket as many times a year as you play per week. So, if you play twice a week, restring twice a year.
However, if you're using polyester strings, that rule goes out the window. Polyester goes "dead" after about 15–20 hours of play. It loses its elasticity, and suddenly you're swinging harder but getting less depth. If you're a serious competitive player, you might find yourself restringing every 2–3 weeks, which can definitely add up.
Is Buying a Stringing Machine Worth It?
If you look at the total and realize you're spending $300 a year on restringing, you might wonder if you should just buy your own machine.
A decent entry-level "drop-weight" stringing machine costs around $300 to $500. If you string for yourself and your friends, the machine pays for itself in a year or two. Plus, you get to experiment with different tensions and string types whenever you want. But be warned: it's a bit of a learning curve, and it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to do a single racket when you're starting out.
Final Thoughts on the Cost
At the end of the day, restringing is just part of the game. It's the "oil change" of tennis. While it might feel annoying to drop $40 every few months, playing with dead or broken strings is a great way to develop bad habits or, worse, an injury like tennis elbow.
If you're on a budget, stick to a solid synthetic gut from a local home stringer. You'll probably spend about $25 to $30 total, and your racket will feel a hundred times better than it did with those old, notched strings. On the flip side, if you're chasing that pro-level performance, be prepared to budget closer to $50 per session. Whatever you choose, your game will definitely thank you for the fresh tension.