Carbon 3K, 12K, 18K: what the numbers mean

Plenty of rackets say "Carbon 3K" or "18K" on the face. The K means thousand, and the number counts the carbon fibres in each strand of the weave. 3K means 3,000 fibres per strand.

A bigger number is not a better racket. What changes is the character of the face.

Small number, small squares

With 3K the strands are thin, so the weave pattern is small and tight.

• The face flexes a little more than a coarse weave.
• Touch feels softer and slightly more forgiving.
• A good pick for intermediate players who want carbon without a board-stiff racket.

Big number, big squares

With 12K, 16K or 18K the strands are thicker and the pattern is coarser.

• The face is stiffer and feels more solid.
• The ball comes off faster, and power is easier to find on a smash.
• Mishits are punished more, and more vibration reaches your arm.

So which do you need?

Work through it in this order:

1. Your arm first. If your elbow is sensitive, a coarse weave is not your friend.
2. Your technique. An unsettled swing gets more help from a face that flexes.
3. Your style. Hitting hard smashes from the net? A coarse weave gives power. Defending and placing the ball? A fine weave feels smoother.

One thing people forget: the core matters as much as the face. An 18K racket with a soft core can feel far more comfortable than a 3K racket with a hard one. Read EVA cores before you decide.