Pool Cue Tip Hardness Chart: A Comprehensive Buying Guide

Key Takeaways 

• Ignoring the significance of pool cue tip hardness is among the most frequent mistakes novices make when selecting a pool cue tip. Learn how cue tip hardness affects your gameplay.
• Discover an extensive pool cue tip hardness chart that lists the hardness levels and tip sizes for a large number of different brands.
• Prioritizing your playing style is essential when selecting the cue tip hardness. So what more should you think about? Discover two additional pointers below!

Cue Tip Hardness Explained

The pool cue tip is at the end of your pool cue. It serves as the point of contact, transferring the energy of your stroke to the cue ball. Because of the significant impact a tip may have on your game, it is critical to select the appropriate one. 

This transfer of energy has a big influence on three crucial aspects of your shot, including spin, speed, and accuracy.

• Spin: The cue tip's grasp on the cue ball enables you to impart spin, enabling the ball to rotate after being struck. This rotation may be used for many techniques, including draw shots (backspin) for increased stopping power and follow shots (topspin) for controlling the cue ball's path after contact with other balls.
• Speed: A good cue tip effectively transfers more energy to the ball, allowing for quicker shots with less energy absorption and a more precise cue ball position.
• Accuracy: The material and condition of the cue tip also influence your shot's accuracy. A well-maintained tip with the appropriate hardness for your playing style offers a constant feel and grip, resulting in more predictable cue ball movement.

Understanding the cue tip hardness is essential if you want to learn how to choose a pool cue. For an in-depth understanding of cue tip hardness, it is ideal to look at different pool cue tip hardness types, pool cue tip sizes, and pool cue tip material.

Understand cue tip hardness.

Pool Cue Tip Hardness

• Soft tips: They absorb a lot of the impact from a hit, allowing it to stay on a cue ball for a split second longer than harder tips. When struck from the middle of the cue ball, players receive more "English" (spin). Yet, soft pool cue tips tend to become deformed more quickly and require more upkeep to maintain a smooth, rounded contour.
• Hard tips: They do not absorb or retain as much power on the cue ball as a softer tip. As a result, hard tips generate less spin and are more likely to miscue when striking the cue ball farther from the center point. Regardless, they will play more consistently, endure longer, and require less maintenance.

• Medium tips: They are frequently the ideal middle ground for most players, providing an excellent balance of cue ball control and consistency. Most medium tips provide enough spin and do not get deformed or wear out as quickly as softer tips.

• Phenolic tips: They are as strong as a pool cue, which is commonly used for breaking, and are composed of carbon fiber. When touched, phenolic tips transfer the maximum energy.

Pool Cue Tip Size

Generally, players may strike the ball with greater spin and a narrower striking area when the cue tip has a smaller diameter. But smaller pool cue tip sizes are also far less forgiving when you miss. 

The typical diameters of pool cue tips range from 12 to 14mm. Here are a few of the most popular sizes for pool cue tips.

• 13mm diameter shaft tip: You will be able to pocket balls much more easily with this size tip. It will be a little harder to get decent English with a 13mm shaft if you don't already have a particularly good pool cue stroke.
• 12.5mm diameter shaft tip: This tip will help you hit the ball with more English, but because it's a smaller surface, you will probably miss a little more frequently.
• 11.75mm diameter shaft tip: Although there is less tip surface striking the ball with this tip, you will still be more likely to miss it, even though it will offer you a lot of English.

Types of cue tip hardness 

Pool Cue Tip Material

It is hard to say which one is the best pool cue tip. Leather is the most common material used to make pool cue tips. It provides excellent grip on the cue ball, enabling players to apply spin and control shots with precision. 

There are two primary varieties of leather tips: layered and solid. Though they provide regularity, solid tips made from a single piece of leather may eventually lose their form. On the other hand, designed to keep their shape longer and offer more consistent performance, layered tips are made from many layers of leather. 

Depending on the manufacturer and model, you may also get items made of pig skin, cowhide, and even bore hide in addition to leather.

Pool Cue Tip Hardness Chart

 

It might be very intimidating to consider how many pool cue tips are on the market nowadays. For that reason, we have made this comprehensive guide on pool cue tips. 

To assist you in picking the cue tip that best suits your needs, you can see how the hardness of the most common brands is compared with one another in this pool cue tip hardness chart.

Tip Brand	Hardness Rating	Tip Size	Hardness
Zan	Soft	14mm	66.3
Elk Master	Soft	10 - 14mm	66.8
Kamui Black	Soft	14mm	67.5
Da Vinci	Soft	14mm	68.7
Black Heart	Soft	14mm	68.7
5280 Red Line	Soft	14mm	69.2
Kamui	Soft	14mm	69.2
Morakami	Soft	14mm	72.0
Kamui Black	Soft	14mm	72.3
Aramith Laminated	Soft	14mm	72.6
Moori	Soft	14mm	72.8
Da Vinci	Soft	14mm	73.6
Fuji	Soft	14mm	74.2
Morakami	Soft	14mm	74.3
G2	Soft	14mm	74.8
Hirano	Medium	14mm	75.2
Predator Victory	Medium	14mm	75.3
Moori	Medium	14mm	75.5
Flying Pig	Medium	14mm	75.5
Tiger Everest	Medium	14mm	75.7
Aramith Laminated	Medium	14mm	75.8
Tiger Emerald	Medium	14mm	76.0
Tiger Onyx	Medium	14mm	76.4
Black Heart	Medium	14mm	76.6
Tiger Laminated	Medium	14mm	76.7
Zan	Medium	14mm	77.8
Tiger Sniper	Medium	14mm	77.8
Kamui II	Medium	14mm	78.1
Tiger Laminated	Medium	14mm	78.2
Fuji	Medium	14mm	78.5
Kamui Black	Medium	14mm	78.7
Talisman Pro	Medium	14mm	79.6
Great White	Medium	14mm	79.6
Predator Victory	Medium	14mm	79.8
G2	Hard	14mm	80.1
Morakami	Hard	14mm	81.3
Tiger Laminated	Hard	14mm	81.7
Da Vinci	Hard	14mm	81.9
Talisman Water Buffalo	Hard	14mm	82.0
Kamui II	Hard	14mm	82.2
Talisman Water Buffalo	Hard	14mm	83.2
Tweeten Virgin	Hard	12.5mm	83.3
Kamui II (Medium)	Hard	14mm	83.4
Talisman Pro	Hard	14mm	83.5
Fuji	Hard	14mm	83.8
Predator Victory	Hard	14mm	84.3
Moori	Hard	14mm	84.4
Talisman Pro	Hard	14mm	84.4
Hirano	Hard	14mm	84.8
Kamui Black	Hard	14mm	84.8
G2	Hard	14mm	85.5
Aramith Laminated	Hard	14mm	86.6
Zan	Hard	14mm	87.4
Morakami	Hard	14mm	87.5
Le Pro	Hard	10 - 14mm	88.2
Black Heart	Hard	14mm	88.2
WB Water Buffalo	Hard	13 - 14mm	88.2
Talisman Pro	Hard	14mm	88.7
Blue Elf	Extra hard	14mm	90.4
Hirano	Extra hard	14mm	90.6
Triangle	Extra hard	12 - 14mm	91.0
Triumph	Extra hard	14mm	92.0
Kamui II	Extra hard	14mm	92.2
Samsara Jump Break	Extra hard	14mm	95.5
Tiger Jump	Extra hard	14mm	Cow / pig laminated
Mezz Ingot	Extra hard	14mm	Buffalo
Tiger Ice Breaker	Extra hard	14mm	Laminated Leather core / Phenolic Jacket

How to Choose the Right Cue Tip Hardness

Selecting a pool cue tip is essential to developing your playing style and striking. Fortunately, if you know the fundamentals, choosing the best cue tips is not that difficult. To select the ideal option for your gameplay, adhere to these three helpful ways.

See more: How to straighten a pool cue?

Step 1: Think About Your Playing Style

Before choosing a cue tip hardness, every pool player needs to weigh three factors: power against precision, spin control, and shot preferences. So, before you buy any cue tip, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you like powerful strikes and break shots, or are you more inclined to shoot finesse shots that call for a delicate touch?
• Do you usually influence the cue ball's trajectory with sidespin or backspin (draw)?
• Do you value precision and control more than power? Are you prepared to give up some finesse for more power?

 

You can discover the best pool cue—not just the tip—once you know what you need and your chosen technique. If you are starting, you might want to go for a reasonably priced, high-quality cue stick. 

Step 2: Match the Tip Hardness to Your Skill Level

In addition to your playing style, the pool cue tip must match your skill level. It helps improve your performance and reduce miscues and frustration.

Medium or soft tips are usually more advantageous for beginners. They offer more forgiveness and improve cue ball control, which facilitates the learning of spin techniques like backspin and topspin. Besides, when making delicate hits, novice players have more room for error since soft tips hold the ball effectively. 

Tips to choose the right cue tip hardness

Moreover, medium tips provide a balance between power and control and allow for greater adaptability as abilities develop. Intermediate players usually prefer them.

Meanwhile, more experienced players use hard tips because they offer more power and accuracy for more aggressive shots, but maintaining control and accuracy requires better technique. 

Step 3: Try Different Tip Hardnesses to Find What Works

Since every player has a different style and sense of the game, what suits one player may not work for another. Hence, it would be best if you tried varying tip hardnesses to find what feels most natural and comfortable.

Furthermore, cue tip hardnesses may differ in performance based on cue ball material, table conditions, and the playing style of your opponent. You can change your game and perform consistently in varied conditions if you are flexible and knowledgeable about different tip hardnesses.

Trying out various tip hardnesses may also be a big help when developing new skills. Soft tips give you more grip for spin and control, but because they wear out more quickly, they could need more maintenance. Hard tips have less spin but are faster and more accurate. 

Your ability to manage the cue ball and make shots will gradually become more intuitive, enabling you to play a more versatile and all-around game.

See more: How to replace a pool cue tip?

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardness of cue tip should I use?

As the most common cue tip, medium-hard tips are perfect if you are just starting or are still deciding which one to choose. It provides players with consistent and well-balanced cue ball control. Additionally, medium-hard tips require less upkeep.

Is a 12.5mm tip good?

A 12.5mm pool cue tip is an excellent choice for players who value control and accuracy. Its smaller size makes it perfect for finesse play since it produces more spin and more precise strokes. Furthermore, it gives players flexibility in applying spin as well as straight shots by striking a nice balance between control and power. 

What is the softest cue tip?

The softest cue tips are usually made of pig or elk leather; examples of these materials are seen in products like Kamui Black Super Soft and Elk Master Cue Tips. With their superior grip on the cue ball, these tips enable maximum spin and control.  

What are the benefits of a hard cue tip?

A hard cue tip is ideal for players who want long, accurate shots. Its firmness transfers more energy to the cue ball, making it perfect for strokes that need maximum force, such as breaking and jumping. 

Due to their reduced tendency to compress upon contact, hard tips also have a longer lifespan than softer tips and require less upkeep and reshaping. For players who choose power and accuracy over finesse, hard tips offer higher consistency even if they create less spin and control.

Is a 13mm cue tip good?

Because it strikes a good balance between control and power, many players choose the traditional 13mm cue tip. Its bigger surface area facilitates more consistent cue ball shots, which is advantageous for novices or accuracy-focused players. 

Those who like power shots will also find it excellent since it more evenly distributes force across the ball. In addition, it is reliable and versatile, even if it might not have the same spin potential or accuracy as smaller ones.