Carrom Board Size, Coins and Striker: A Complete Buying Guide
Official carrom board size (74 × 74 cm playing surface), striker and coin sizes and weights, board thickness, carrom powder and how to choose the right board.
Thinking of buying a carrom board, or wondering why your striker feels "wrong"? Here are the official sizes of the board, coins and striker, what actually matters for play, and how to choose a good board for home.
Official carrom board size
Tournament specifications from the carrom federations, as summarised on Wikipedia, are:
| Part | Official size |
|---|---|
| Playing surface | 73.5–74 cm square (about 29 in) |
| Frame (bumpers) | Wooden, usually 6–10 cm wide |
| Overall board | Around 85–90 cm square including the frame |
| Pockets | One in each corner, with a net below |
Home boards come in smaller sizes (for example 20, 26 or 29 inches of playing surface). A 29-inch playing surface is the "full size" to aim for if you want the real feel.
Carrom men (coins)
| Spec | Official range |
|---|---|
| Number | 19: 9 white, 9 black, 1 red queen |
| Diameter | 3.02–3.18 cm |
| Thickness | 7–9 mm |
| Weight | 5.0–5.5 g |
Coins should have plain, rounded edges. Cheap coins with sharp edges bounce oddly and chip the board.
The striker
| Spec | Typical tournament value |
|---|---|
| Diameter | about 4.1 cm |
| Weight | about 15 g |
Heavier or larger strikers break harder but are harder to control on cut shots. If your striker is much heavier than 15 g, the coins will fly off the board.
What to look for when buying
- Playing surface: smooth, glossy plywood with no dips. Run your hand across it and look along it at eye level.
- Thickness: a thicker board (often 8–12 mm of playing surface) stays flat and gives consistent rebounds.
- Frame: solid wood bumpers that give a lively rebound, with no hollow sound when tapped.
- Pockets: clean-cut and exactly in the corners, with nets that hold 10 or more coins.
- Markings: printed baselines and circles that won't rub off.
Carrom powder
A thin sprinkle of carrom powder (boric acid powder or a fine talc-like powder) makes the coins glide. Use only a little: too much slows play and gets messy. Wipe the board and re-powder when the coins start to drag.
Care tips
- Store the board flat or upright, never leaning at an angle, or it will warp.
- Keep it away from damp walls and direct sun.
- Never sit or stand on it (it happens more often than you'd think).
Learn to play, then practise anywhere
Once you have a board, learn the carrom rules for beginners and how to hit the striker. No board with you? Board Adda: Ludo Carrom Chess has carrom with realistic physics, so you can practise cut shots on your phone, offline.
FAQ
What is the standard size of a carrom board?
The official playing surface is 73.5–74 cm (about 29 inches) square, with a wooden frame around it.
How much does a carrom striker weigh?
A standard striker weighs about 15 grams with a diameter of about 4.1 cm.
How many coins are in a carrom set?
19: 9 white, 9 black and one red queen, plus the striker.
What powder is used on a carrom board?
Carrom powder, usually a fine boric-acid based powder, sprinkled lightly so the coins glide smoothly.
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