If you're recovering a pool table, replacing worn billiard cloth, or building a custom game table, choosing the right felt for pool tables is one of the most important decisions you'll make. The fabric on your pool table affects ball speed, accuracy, durability, and the overall playing experience. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about pool table felt — types, materials, weights, colors, and how to choose the best option for your table.
What Is Pool Table Felt?
Pool table felt (also called billiard cloth) is a tightly woven or pressed fabric that covers the playing surface and cushions (rails) of a pool table. Despite being called "felt," most pool table cloth today is actually a woven wool-nylon blend, not true pressed felt. The term "felt" stuck from the early days of billiards when actual wool felt was used.
There are two main categories of pool table cloth:
- Woolen cloth (napped felt): A thicker, fuzzy fabric with a directional nap (like peach fuzz). This is what most home pool tables use. It's affordable, forgiving, and widely available.
- Worsted cloth (speed cloth): A smooth, tightly woven fabric with no nap. This is what professional tournaments and high-end pool halls use (Simonis is the most famous brand). Balls roll faster and straighter on worsted cloth.
Woolen vs Worsted Pool Table Cloth
| Feature | Woolen (Napped) | Worsted (Speed Cloth) |
|---|---|---|
| Surface texture | Fuzzy, soft nap | Smooth, flat, no nap |
| Ball speed | Slower (nap creates friction) | Faster (less friction) |
| Ball accuracy | Less precise (nap deflects) | More precise (true roll) |
| Durability | 2–5 years typical | 5–10+ years typical |
| Material | Wool-nylon blend (typically 75/25) | Wool-nylon blend (80/20 or 90/10) |
| Weight | 16–21 oz per linear yard | 20–25 oz per linear yard |
| Pilling | Yes (regular brushing needed) | No (smooth surface) |
| Stain resistance | Lower (nap traps dirt) | Higher (smooth surface sheds spills) |
| Price | $50–$150 for full table | $200–$500+ for full table |
| Best for | Home, casual, recreational | Serious players, tournaments, bars |
What Weight Felt Do You Need?
Pool table cloth is measured in ounces per linear yard. The weight tells you how thick and durable the cloth is:
- 16–19 oz: Entry-level woolen cloth. Found on inexpensive home tables and tabletop pool sets. Wears quickly, pills easily, and doesn't play as smoothly. Fine for kids' tables or very casual use.
- 20–21 oz: Standard quality woolen cloth. This is the sweet spot for most home pool tables. Good durability, reasonable ball speed, and widely available in many colors. Brands like Hainsworth, Championship, and Accuracy commonly offer this weight.
- 22–25 oz: Premium worsted or heavy woolen cloth. Professional-grade materials like Simonis 860 and 760 fall in this range. Superior durability, minimal pilling, and the best playing characteristics.
Recommendation: For most home pool tables, a 20–21 oz woolen cloth offers the best balance of quality, durability, and price. Upgrade to worsted cloth only if you're a serious player who notices the difference in ball behavior.
Pool Table Felt Materials
Wool-Nylon Blends
The standard material for pool table cloth. Wool provides the playing characteristics (ball grip, feel, appearance) while nylon adds durability and prevents stretching. Common blends:
- 75% wool / 25% nylon: Standard for home tables
- 80% wool / 20% nylon: Premium home and commercial tables
- 90% wool / 10% nylon: Tournament-grade cloth (Simonis uses this blend)
100% Polyester
The most affordable option. Polyester cloth is sometimes sold for bargain pool tables, but it plays poorly compared to wool blends. Balls slide rather than roll, and the surface pills quickly. Not recommended for anyone who takes pool even slightly seriously.
Acrylic Felt
Acrylic felt fabric can be used for casual game surfaces, tabletop games, card tables, and decorative pool table covers. While it doesn't perform like proper billiard cloth for competitive play, acrylic felt works well for:
- Children's pool tables and tabletop billiards
- DIY game tables (poker tables, board game surfaces)
- Protective covers for pool tables when not in use
- Craft projects with a pool table or gaming theme
How Much Felt Do You Need?
Pool table cloth is sold to cover both the playing surface (bed) and the cushions (rails). Here's how much cloth you'll need by table size:
| Table Size | Playing Surface | Cloth Needed (Bed + Rails) |
|---|---|---|
| 7-foot (bar size) | 39” × 78” | Approx. 64” × 108” (about 7.5 linear feet) |
| 8-foot (home standard) | 44” × 88” | Approx. 64” × 120” (about 8.5 linear feet) |
| 9-foot (tournament) | 50” × 100” | Approx. 64” × 132” (about 9.5 linear feet) |
Most billiard cloth comes in 62–66 inch widths, which is wide enough for all standard table sizes. Always buy slightly more than you need to account for stretching and stapling around the edges.
Best Pool Table Felt Colors
While green remains the classic and most popular pool table color, modern players choose from a wide range. Here's what to consider:
- Tournament Green: The traditional choice. Easy on the eyes during long games, provides good contrast with balls. Most professionals prefer green.
- Blue (Royal, Electric, Navy): The second most popular color. Looks sharp on TV (many televised tournaments now use blue) and in modern game rooms.
- Red / Burgundy: Bold, dramatic look. Popular in home game rooms and bars with a classic pub atmosphere.
- Camel / Tan: Elegant, understated. Blends well with upscale home decor.
- Black: Modern, sleek look. Shows chalk marks more than lighter colors, but easy to brush clean.
- Gray: Contemporary choice that works with modern, minimalist interiors.
Tip: Lighter colors show stains and chalk marks more easily. If your table gets heavy use (bars, game rooms with kids), darker colors like green, blue, or black are more forgiving.
How to Replace Pool Table Felt
Recovering a pool table is a doable DIY project if you're handy, but it requires patience and the right tools. Here's an overview of the process:
Tools You'll Need
- New billiard cloth (sized for your table)
- Staple gun (pneumatic or heavy-duty manual)
- Flathead screwdriver or staple remover
- Spray adhesive (for worsted cloth) or staples (for woolen cloth)
- Sharp scissors or rotary cutter
- Measuring tape
- Chalk or fabric marker
Basic Steps
- Remove the rails: Unbolt the rail sections from the table frame. Note their positions for reassembly.
- Strip old cloth: Remove staples or adhesive holding the old cloth to the slate bed. Work carefully to avoid damaging the slate.
- Clean the slate: Wipe down with a dry cloth. Fill any chips or uneven spots with beeswax.
- Position new cloth: Center the cloth on the slate with equal overhang on all sides. The nap direction (for woolen cloth) should run from the head to the foot of the table.
- Attach to slate: For woolen cloth, staple the cloth to the underside of the slate bed, pulling firmly and evenly. Start with the long sides, then the ends. For worsted cloth, use spray adhesive on the slate surface.
- Cut pocket openings: Carefully cut the cloth around the pocket openings, folding and stapling neatly.
- Recover the rails: Remove old cloth from each rail cushion, stretch new cloth over the cushion, and staple to the back of the rail.
- Reassemble: Bolt the rails back onto the table frame in their original positions.
Pro tip: If this is your first time, watch several video tutorials before starting. The trickiest parts are getting even tension across the bed and cutting cleanly around the pockets. Uneven tension causes the cloth to wrinkle during play.
How to Maintain Pool Table Felt
Proper care can double or triple the life of your pool table cloth:
- Brush regularly: Use a proper billiard brush (not a household brush) and always brush in one direction — from the head rail toward the foot rail, following the nap direction. Brush before and after play.
- Vacuum carefully: Use low suction with an upholstery attachment. Never use a beater bar — it will pull fibers and damage the cloth.
- Clean spills immediately: Blot (don't rub) with a clean, damp cloth. For stubborn stains, use a billiard-specific cloth cleaner.
- Keep the table covered: Use a fitted pool table cover when not in use to prevent dust, fading, and accidental spills.
- Control the environment: Avoid direct sunlight (causes fading), high humidity (causes cloth to stretch), and extreme temperatures.
- No food or drinks on the table: This should be obvious, but it's the number one cause of premature felt replacement.
- Chalk responsibly: Chalk over the rail, not over the playing surface. Excess chalk dust grinds into the cloth and accelerates wear.
Signs Your Pool Table Felt Needs Replacing
- Visible wear tracks: Lighter colored paths where balls roll most frequently (especially between the head and foot spots)
- Burns or tears: Scratches from miscues, cigarette burns, or sharp objects
- Excessive pilling: Fuzzy balls of fiber forming on the surface that can't be brushed away
- Ball roll inconsistency: Balls drift, curve, or slow down unpredictably
- Staining: Permanent stains from drinks, food, or chalk buildup
- Stretched or loose cloth: Wrinkles or bubbles on the playing surface
Acrylic Felt for Game Tables and DIY Projects
Not building a regulation pool table? Acrylic felt by the yard is a versatile and affordable option for many gaming and craft applications:
- Poker and card tables: Smooth felt surface prevents cards from sliding and provides a professional casino look
- Board game surfaces: Line drawers or table inserts with felt for quieter dice rolling and card dealing
- Children's tabletop games: Affordable enough to replace when worn
- Craft and display: Line display cases, jewelry drawers, and shadow boxes
EOVEA's acrylic felt comes in 72-inch width, which is wide enough for most game table applications. Available in classic green, blue, red, black, and 50+ other colors. For thicker applications, our 3.2mm thick felt provides extra cushioning and a more premium feel.
Shop Felt Fabric at EOVEA
EOVEA carries premium acrylic felt fabric by the yard in 1.6mm and 3.2mm thicknesses, available in 50+ colors. Whether you're covering a game table, crafting, or making protective surfaces, our felt is sold as continuous cuts with no seams and ships fast from the USA.
Need large quantities? Visit our wholesale page for volume pricing. Free shipping on orders over $150.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you replace pool table felt?
Woolen cloth typically lasts 2–5 years with regular home use, depending on how often you play and how well you maintain the cloth. Worsted cloth (like Simonis) can last 5–10 years or longer. Signs it's time to replace include visible wear tracks, pilling, tears, and inconsistent ball roll.
Can you use regular felt on a pool table?
Standard craft felt (acrylic or polyester) can work for casual tabletop games, kids' tables, and poker/card tables. However, it's not suitable for regulation pool tables because it doesn't provide the right ball speed, accuracy, or durability. Proper billiard cloth is a wool-nylon woven blend specifically engineered for pool.
What color felt is best for a pool table?
Tournament green is the most popular and traditional choice. Blue is the second most popular and looks great on TV and in modern game rooms. For home use, choose a color that complements your room decor. Darker colors (green, blue, black) hide chalk marks and stains better than lighter ones.
How much does it cost to refelt a pool table?
DIY refelting costs $100–$300 for the cloth alone (depending on quality). Professional installation typically adds $200–$400 for labor, bringing the total to $300–$700. Tournament-grade worsted cloth with professional installation can exceed $800.
Is Simonis felt worth the price?
For serious players, yes. Simonis 860 is the world's most popular professional billiard cloth. It offers true ball roll, minimal deflection, exceptional durability (often lasting 8–10 years), and consistent speed. For casual home players who play a few times a month, a quality 20–21 oz woolen cloth provides good performance at a fraction of the cost.
What's the difference between pool table felt and poker table felt?
Pool table felt is a woven wool-nylon blend designed for ball speed and accuracy. Poker table felt (also called speed cloth or suited cloth) is typically polyester or polyester-blend fabric designed for smooth card sliding. Standard acrylic felt works well for both poker tables and casual game surfaces.
Related Fabric Guides
- What Is Felt Fabric? Types, Uses & Buying Guide
- Acrylic Felt vs Wool Felt
- Acrylic Felt: The Ultimate Guide
- Felt vs Fleece
- Acrylic Felt Fabric Collection
Shop all fabrics at EOVEA Fabric — premium craft fabric by the yard with fast USA shipping.
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