About StringMatch
StringMatch is a free racket string recommendation tool that matches players to the right string based on their sport, playing level, style, and physical needs. It covers 157 strings across tennis, badminton, and squash — no account required, no sponsored results. A recommendation takes about 90 seconds.
Who Built It
StringMatch was built by a club tennis player who got tired of the same problem: you break a string, you go to the shop, the stringer hands you whatever is on the reel, and you have no idea whether it is right for your game. After spending too long in Reddit threads and watching YouTube reviews aimed at touring professionals, it seemed like the right tool did not exist.
The database was built by hand — each string researched from manufacturer specs, independent review sites, and stringing community data, then rated across six performance dimensions. The scoring algorithm was developed and tested against known string profiles to verify it produces sensible rankings before being opened to the public.
StringMatch is an independent tool. It is not affiliated with any string manufacturer, retailer, or brand. Buy links on recommended strings are affiliate links to Amazon UK, which help cover running costs — but they have no influence on which strings are recommended or how they are ranked.
Why It Exists
Most string advice falls into one of two traps. It is either too generic — "just use polyester if you're an advanced player" — or it is buried in forum threads written for people who already know what they are talking about.
String selection is one of the highest-leverage decisions a club player can make, often more impactful than upgrading a racket. Yet it is where the least useful guidance exists. The advice that does exist is frequently driven by affiliate incentives, not by what actually fits your game.
StringMatch asks the same questions a knowledgeable stringer would ask, then scores every string in the database against your answers. The result is a ranked shortlist with honest explanations — no brand sponsorships, no upsells.
How It Works
The quiz covers nine questions about your game:
- Pick your sport — tennis, badminton, or squash
- Select your playing level — beginner, intermediate, or advanced
- Describe your playing style — all-court, aggressive baseline, net play, etc.
- Rate your swing speed — compact, moderate, or fast
- Set your priority — power, control, or comfort
- Flag any arm sensitivity — elbow, wrist, or shoulder issues
- Choose your budget — budget, mid-range, or premium
- Tell us how often you play — affects durability weighting
- Share your current string, if you know it
Your answers are mapped to weighted attribute priorities. Every string in the relevant sport category is then scored against those weights and ranked from best match to worst. There are no sponsored placements — a cheaper string will outrank an expensive one if it fits your game better.
The Database
Every string in the database is rated across six dimensions:
| Attribute | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Power | Energy return and depth generation from the string bed |
| Control | Precision and consistency of shot placement |
| Comfort | Vibration dampening and feel at impact |
| Durability | Resistance to notching, fraying, and breakage |
| Spin | Ability to bite the ball and generate topspin or slice |
| ERT | Elasticity Return Test — arm-friendliness under impact |
Ratings are based on published manufacturer specifications, independent string reviews, and stringing community data — not manufacturer marketing copy. The database covers:
| Sport | Strings in database | Brands covered |
|---|---|---|
| Tennis | 77 strings | Luxilon, Babolat, Wilson, Tecnifibre, Head, Signum Pro, Qualia Sport & more |
| Badminton | 45 strings | Yonex, Victor, Li-Ning, Ashaway, Karakal, Gosen & more |
| Squash | 35 strings | Tecnifibre, Ashaway, Dunlop, Head, Karakal, Black Knight & more |
Rating Methodology
Every string in the database was rated using the following sources, in priority order:
- Manufacturer published specifications — gauge, tension range, and material composition
- Independent string lab data — ERT stiffness measurements from published stringing community testing
- Aggregated player reviews — durability, comfort, and feel ratings from multiple review sites and forum consensus
- Head-to-head comparison data — relative control and spin ratings cross-referenced between similar strings in the same category
Where data conflicts, the more conservative figure is used. No manufacturer ratings or marketing copy were used directly — all scores are independently derived. Strings added to the database must have sufficient data across at least four of the six dimensions to qualify for inclusion.
The scoring algorithm assigns each quiz answer a weight that adjusts the relative importance of each dimension. For example, selecting "arm pain" as an issue raises ERT weighting by 2× and adds a hard filter that removes strings with ERT above 55. Selecting "heavy topspin" raises the spin dimension weight and favours shaped or textured polyesters. These weights were calibrated against known expert string recommendations to verify they produce sensible results across different player profiles.
Who StringMatch Is For
- Beginners restringing for the first time with no idea where to start — StringMatch explains what each string does and why it fits you.
- Club players who have been using the same string for years and want to try something better matched to their current game.
- Players with arm pain who need strings that reduce vibration and shock, not just the cheapest option that fits their racket.
- Players switching sports or picking up a new racket who want a recommendation they can trust without spending hours researching.
- Coaches and stringers who want a quick second opinion or a shareable tool for students who ask "what string should I use?"
Find your string in 90 seconds
Answer 9 questions about your game and get a personalised, ranked shortlist. Free. No signup required.
Get my string recommendation →Frequently Asked Questions
Is StringMatch free?
Yes. StringMatch is completely free to use. No account, no email address, and no payment is required. The quiz takes about 90 seconds and returns a full ranked shortlist — no strings attached.
How does StringMatch work?
StringMatch asks nine questions about your sport, playing level, style, swing speed, arm sensitivity, and budget. It runs a weighted scoring algorithm across its database of 157 strings, ranking each one by how well it matches your answers. The result is a personalised shortlist with scores and explanations for every recommendation.
How many strings does StringMatch cover?
StringMatch covers 157 strings: 77 tennis strings, 45 badminton strings, and 35 squash strings. Each string is rated across six dimensions — power, control, comfort, durability, spin, and ERT (arm-friendliness). New strings are added regularly.
Are the recommendations sponsored or biased?
No. There are no sponsored placements in StringMatch results. A cheaper or lesser-known string will outrank a premium brand if it is a better match for your game. Ratings are based on published specs, independent reviews, and stringing community data — not manufacturer claims or affiliate arrangements.
Does StringMatch work for badminton and squash, not just tennis?
Yes. StringMatch has separate, independently profiled databases for all three sports. The quiz questions and scoring are adapted for each — badminton strings are scored differently from tennis strings because the sports make very different demands on a string.
How accurate are the recommendations?
The algorithm scores strings against your stated priorities. The more honestly you answer — especially around playing style and arm sensitivity — the more relevant your results will be. No tool can replace the experience of actually hitting with a string, but StringMatch gets you to a short list of genuinely compatible options rather than a random guess or a generic forum recommendation.