Badminton Racket 3U vs 4U vs 5U: Weight and Grip Size Explained

Look at the cone or the shaft of most badminton rackets and you will see a code such as 4U G5. The U number is the weight class of the frame and the G number is the grip size. Once you know what they mean, comparing rackets becomes much easier.

What 2U, 3U, 4U, 5U and 6U mean

The U number is the unstrung weight class. A higher number means a lighter frame. Badminton House lists these ranges:

2U: 90–94.9 g 3U: 85–89.9 g 4U: 80–84.9 g 5U: 75–79.9 g 6U: about 70–75 g

Yonex lists averages of 93 g (2U), 88 g (3U), 83 g (4U), 78 g (5U) and 73 g (F). Strings and the grip add weight on top.

3U vs 4U vs 5U: how they feel

A heavier 3U frame carries more mass through the shuttle, which many players feel as a more solid clear and smash, but it is slower to reposition. A lighter 5U frame is quicker in fast exchanges at the net and in defence, and is easier on the arm for juniors and newer players. 4U sits between the two and is a common all-round choice. One retailer’s advice is practical: try 5U if your racket feels slow to reposition, try 3U if you want more weight behind the same model, and use 4U as a comparison point if you are unsure. You cannot predict your smash from the U number alone — balance and shaft stiffness matter too.

What G3, G4 and G5 mean

The G number is grip size, and a higher number means a thinner handle. Yonex’s chart lists G5 as a small grip (83 mm), G4 as medium (86 mm) and G3 as large (89 mm). Most players can build a thin handle up with an overgrip, but it is hard to make a thick handle thinner, so if you are between sizes the smaller grip is usually the safer choice.

Which should you choose?

Beginners and juniors: a lighter 4U or 5U frame with a G5 grip is easy to handle. Club doubles players: 4U is a common all-round choice; 5U if you play mostly at the net. Players who want more weight in the shot: try 3U in the same model and see whether you can still recover in time. Always consider balance (head-heavy, even or head-light) and shaft flexibility together with weight.

Browse VELNUZ badminton rackets and grips in the store.

Sources

Yonex racquet size chart (via Toby’s Sports): https://www.tobys.com/pages/yonex-racquet-size-chart Badminton House — Badminton racket weight 2U to 6U explained: https://badmintonhouse.ca/blogs/news/badminton-racket-weight-3u-4u-5u