Air Hockey Table Dimensions: Everything You Wanted to Know
Air hockey is a fun game. It can move fast and you have to have sharp reflexes to make sure you don’t get scored upon. What makes air hockey even more fun is playing it on the right sized table.
The key to having an air hockey game in your home is to have enough space. You are going to have to measure your basement or family room area to make sure you get the right sized air hockey table. Once you get the table, you cannot make adjustments to its size.
In this article, we will help you find the right air hockey table for your home. We are providing the information you need to know to make sure you do not make a mistake and order the wrong size.
Air Hockey Table Dimensions 101
How Big Are Air Hockey Tables
They can get big. If you are a serious air hockey player then you may want to go with a 6 to 7 1/2 foot sized air hockey table. This is the same size as the arcade air hockey tables.
Their width can reach up to 50 inches. This gives you a lot of playing surface and a chance to develop your air hockey strategy. Smaller sized tables can still reach 72 inches long by 38 inches wide.
When you are considering buying an air hockey table, you really need to consider the size of space you have waiting for it.
Small Air Hockey Table Size
If you have a small apartment or not a lot of room in your house for a large air hockey table, you are in luck. These games come in smaller sizes as well. But you still have to take into account how much space you have. Maneuvering while playing is still very essential to winning and having fun.
There are a couple of categories for these smaller sized air hockey tables. The compact size is lightweight and can be easily moved from room to room. They measure in at 5 feet long by either 2 or 3 feet wide.
There is also the table top category. These mini air hockey games are easy to store and can slip under a bed if need be. Their dimensions range between 2 to 3 feet long by 1 to 2 feet wide.
They are also very light and can be moved very easily.
Average Air Hockey Table Size
When it comes to getting the right air hockey table for you and your family, you want the Goldilocks attitude. It has to be just right. That means the table should not be too large and it should not be too small.
You can find one that is just right for you , your family and your home. The average air hockey table size comes i at around 5 to 6 feet in length and 3-4 feet wide. The popular sizes are the larger ones. They are tougher, built stronger and last you a long time
Arcade Air Hockey Table Size
Arcade owners want their customers to have a lot of fun and they want them to keep returning to their arcade. That is why a compact or table top sized air hockey game just won’t do.
Those sized games are not going to be strong enough to handle the rough air hockey treatment the arcade’s customers dish out. They are made for family fun only. Arcade owners want large, tough air hockey tables that will last them a long time.
That is why in most arcades you will see air hockey tables ranging from 6 to 8 feet in length. Their width is going to be about 4 to 6 feet wide. These sizes ensure that the arcade game will be a lot of fun and handle the customers’ treatment.
What is The Regulation Standard Size Air Hockey Table
The answer to that question is the adult sized air hockey table. The adult size comes in at 8 feet by 6 feet wide and is the most common size you'll find in public places. For example, bars, pubs, arcades and so on.
They have to be big because these air hockey tables have to endure the treatment that comes from the most aggressive air hockey game played. It is pretty much the standard size around the world.
What is The Official or Professional Air Hockey Table Size
It seems that they have leagues and tournaments for just about any game these days. There are such a thing as tournament play for air hockey and the same size applies no matter where you play in the world.
When you enter a tournament, you are looking at playing on a 8 by 6 foot air hockey table. This is the size that is also approved by official organizations like the United States Air Hockey Association (USAA) and the Air Hockey Player Association (AHPA).
There are no exceptions to this size. You will not find a smaller table or it is not an officially sanctioned tournament game or tournament. This means that air hockey tables designed for arcades are not suitable for professional tournaments.
They come with features not allowed by professional organizational rules, etc. They also may not be designed in quite the same way even though they meet those organizations regulation size for length and width
What is a Full Size Air Hockey Table
A full sized air hockey table is one that ranges between 6 to 8 feet in length and measures between 4 to 6 feet wide. When you place this size of table in your home or public business, you are going to need a lot of room for the players to play correctly.
The ideal size of playing area for a full sized air hockey table is 12 by 8 feet. This provides the players ample room to maneuver and keeps every one safe as they play. That is a good playing area for the 8 foot tables. You could get away with about 8 by 6 feet in room if you go down to a smaller full sized table.
How Long is a Full-Size Air Hockey Table
The length of a full sized table ranges between 6 and 8 feet. The 8 foot size is the size for all leagues, tournaments and professional play. They do not allow for the smaller full size versions to be used in their officially sanctioned games.
These tables usually come with a lot of extra features that help the players hone their skills and improve their play., They will have many features smaller versions will not have.
The materials used to construct the full size air hockey table vary. You can get all wood models but they are quite expensive. It will depend on your budget which full sized air hockey table you buy.
Air Hockey Table Goal Size
This is going to depend on the size of the air hockey game you decide to purchase. For the large professional and arcade tables, you are looking at between 12 to 16 inches in length. But we are guessing.
We have to guess because even the official rules, and we checked two of them, do not state the size of the goal. In all of our research not one place mentioned the minimum or maximum size of the goal.
The same goes for the table hole size. It has been stated that the holes on the table are not as important as the airflow. As long as the holes can deliver the cubic feet per minute (CFM) needed then the hole sizes are okay.
Of course, some common sense needs to be applied as you do not want to big of holes or they might interfere with game play and the smooth movement of the puck. Professional tables require roughly 400 CFM.
Also, the goals need to be just large enough to make sure the puck can fit in nice and easily. Too small of goals will not be accepted anywhere including recreational play.
How Tall Are Air Hockey Tables
The most popular air hockey tables usually measure about 32 to 33 inches tall. This would apply to professional tables as well. Any higher and the players would have a hard time reaching to cover their territory.
The smaller tables heights would depend on the over all dimensions of the playing surface and its purpose. If it is for kids, then the height of the air hockey table would not be as great as it is for an adult table.
Table top air hockey games may come with 6 to 8 inch legs giving them an overall height of about 8 to 10 inches high. Again, it depends on their construction. Sometimes table top games come without legs making the game very short but very easy to play.
How Heavy Are Air Hockey Tables?
This measurement would again =depend on the size of the table, the materials used and its purpose. Some table top or mini tables can weight between 5 and 20 pounds. While the compact size can go between approx. 20 to 50 pounds.
Wood, professional, arcade and other full sized air hockey tables will reach about 160 pounds and above. One person can usually move a smaller table very easily. The larger tables would need several strong men to get it from the truck and into position without trouble.
Just remember to use your legs and not your back when trying to lift and move one of these tables, no matter what their size and weight are.
Air Hockey Table Room Size
For playing on an 8 by 6 foot air hockey table, you are going to need roughly 12 by 8 feet of playing room. That is just the ideal playing space and does not include room for spectators, furniture and other items that may occupy the room.
A minimum room size them would have to be roughly 15 by 10 feet in size. This should give you enough space to handle those people who want to watch and very slender furniture, if you want it in the room.
Table top sizes only require a standard size room and a large enough table to be set on. Compact sized air hockey tables would be about the same dimensions but without needing the table.
Use your best judgment when it comes to placing smaller air hockey tables in your home and consider the overall purpose of the room. Keep in mind that legs do come up when a player makes a shot or leans to far over.
To protect players in those and other situations, the larger the space the safer it is.
What Size Air Hockey Table Should I Buy
There are several items you should consider before purchasing your own air hockey table.
- Your skill level - if you and your family are not good at air hockey , you may want to purchase a compact or table top size to use first. When your skill gets better, then you can always upgrade to a larger table
- Size of playing area - do you have enough room to play comfortably and safely on your new air hockey table
- Power supply - if you want mobility and want to play where there are no electrical outlets are available, you may want to purchase a battery operated air hockey table. If you want to keep the table stationary, then an electric version will be the best one to buy
- Your budget - what can you afford? The average cost of an air hockey table ranges between $200 and $5,000. You go for the best quality at the price you can afford
- Model - do you want a table top or a full sized model. It is up to your preference and who is going to use the game the most
- Puck size - lightweight pucks are better for children but if yo have some skill, then it is recommended that you go for a heavier puck
Some Final Comments
Now you have the air hockey table size information you need. What is left is for you to assess your home or playing area and see which air hockey table will fit best into that space.
Once you make that determination, you can decide on the quality, materials and look you want. Owning an air hockey table will bring you and your family a lot of fun. It will also bring you a little healthy exercise as well.
Just make sure the air hockey table fits your family, their age levels and their interests.
