What size cue tip fits my pool cue shaft, and how do I measure it?

Updated 2026-10-01 · 11 items from our catalog · Plain-text version

Short answer

Match the tip to the ferrule end diameter: examples in these listings are Slip On Pool Cue Tips 9 Mm at 9 mm, Billiard Cue Tip at 9.5mm, Snooker Cue Tip Pads 10Pcs at 1.1cm/0.43inch, Billiards Cue Tip Pads 1.4cm at 1.4cm, and Pool Cue Tip 13mm at 13mm. Measure straight across the flat end of your ferrule, then check whether you need a slip-on tip, a glue-on tip, and whether you also need a pad or ferrule replacement before ordering.

How to choose the right cue tip size

The correct cue tip size is the diameter of the ferrule at the shaft end, not the overall shaft size. A replacement tip should match that diameter closely so the tip seats flat and can be trimmed cleanly if needed.

If your cue uses a slip-on style, the listing must say slip-on. Slip On Pool Cue Tips 9 Mm is a slip-on option and the listing states 9 mm, so it only makes sense for a cue end that matches that size and style.

If your cue uses a glue-on tip, look for a stated diameter in the listing. Billiard Cue Tip is listed at 9.5mm, and Pool Cue Tip 13mm is listed at 13mm. A tip that is a little oversize can sometimes be trimmed during installation, but a tip that is undersize leaves the ferrule edge exposed and is usually the wrong choice.

Some listings are for cue tip pads rather than the tip itself. Billiards Cue Tip Pads 1.4cm is listed at 1.4cm, and Snooker Cue Tip Pads 10Pcs is listed at 1.1cm/0.43inch. Pads are installed between the ferrule and the tip on some repairs, so do not mistake a pad size for the actual tip style you need.

Fit and size check

Slip On Pool Cue Tips 9 Mm: size 9 mm; style slip-on; quantity 20 Pieces; material not listed; what is included is 20 slip-on pool cue tips.
Billiard Cue Tip: size 9.5mm; style cue tip for billiard or snooker use; quantity not listed; material not listed; what is included is not listed.
Snooker Cue Tip Pads 10Pcs: size 1.1cm/0.43inch; part type cue tip pad; quantity 10Pcs; material not listed; what is included is 10 tip pads.
Billiards Cue Tip Pads 1.4cm: size 1.4cm; part type cue tip pad; quantity 10x; material not listed; what is included is 10 tip pads.
Pool Cue Tip 13mm: size 13mm; style cue tip; quantity not listed; material not listed; what is included is not listed.
Billiard Cue Ferrules 12mm: size 12mm; part type ferrule; quantity 10x; material not listed; what is included is 10 ferrules.

Listings without a stated diameter are not reliable for answering a size question. Pool Cue Tip is a glue-on cue tip but the size is not listed, and Cue Ferrule Black is a ferrule with no stated size, so both require you to compare your own measurements to the product description before buying.

How the pieces work together

A cue tip is the part that contacts the cue ball. The ferrule is the shaft-end sleeve the tip mounts onto, and a tip pad is an extra layer some repairs use between the ferrule and the tip.

If your ferrule is damaged, cracked, or missing, a ferrule replacement may come first. Billiard Cue Ferrules 12mm gives you ferrules listed at 12mm, so it is only relevant if your shaft end is meant for that ferrule size. The single ferrules Cue Ferrule Black and Cue Ferrule White Solid may be useful as replacement parts, but their listings do not state a diameter, so they are not enough by themselves to confirm fit.

If you are installing a glue-on tip, adhesive and finishing tools matter. Cue Tip Glue 16g is cue tip glue with 16g stated in the listing, and Billiard Cue Tip Repair Set is a repair set for trimming, shaping, and finishing after the new tip is attached. Those help with installation, but they do not determine the diameter you need.

A tip pad like Snooker Cue Tip Pads 10Pcs or Billiards Cue Tip Pads 1.4cm is not a substitute for a ferrule. It is only one layer in the stack, so check whether your current setup already has a pad before copying it.

Common mistakes to avoid when measuring

The most common mistake is measuring the old tip after it has mushroomed, worn down, or been badly trimmed. Measure the ferrule face instead, because that is the mounting diameter the new tip must fit.

Another mistake is mixing slip-on and glue-on parts. Slip On Pool Cue Tips 9 Mm is clearly slip-on, while Billiard Cue Tip and Pool Cue Tip 13mm are tip listings that do not say slip-on. If your old tip was glued to the ferrule, do not assume a slip-on replacement will fit or play the same.

Do not order by color or by the word pool or snooker alone. The key details are the stated diameter, whether it is a tip, pad, or ferrule, and whether the installation method matches your cue.

If you only have a rough ruler, remove chalk dust, hold the shaft square, and measure across the widest points of the ferrule face. If your reading falls between common sizes, compare your result with the nearest stated size and inspect whether your existing tip overhangs, sits flush, or looks undersize.

A typical kit

Slip On Pool Cue Tips 9 MmUse this when your cue takes a slip-on replacement tip and the ferrule end matches the listed size.
Billiard Cue TipUse this as a glue-on replacement when your measured ferrule diameter matches the listed tip size.
Pool Cue Tip 13mmChoose this for a larger glue-on tip setup if your ferrule face measures to the stated diameter.
Snooker Cue Tip Pads 10PcsAdd this when your repair uses a tip pad under the tip and your cue matches the listed pad size.
Billiard Cue Ferrules 12mmUse these only if you are replacing the ferrule itself and your shaft is built for the listed ferrule diameter.
Billiard Cue Tip Repair SetThis repair set handles shaping, trimming, and general cue tip maintenance after you have the correct size parts.

Questions people ask

How do I measure my cue tip size accurately?

Measure the ferrule face, not the worn leather tip. Use a caliper if you have one, or a ruler as a backup, and measure straight across the shaft end at its widest points.

Should I match the old tip size or the shaft size?

Match the ferrule end diameter at the shaft tip. The old leather can swell, shrink, or be trimmed unevenly, so it is not the most reliable reference.

What is the difference between a tip, a pad, and a ferrule?

The tip is the part that strikes the cue ball. A pad sits between the tip and ferrule on some builds, while the ferrule is the sleeve at the end of the shaft that supports the tip.

Can I use a slightly larger tip than my ferrule?

A slightly oversize glue-on tip is commonly trimmed flush during installation. An undersize tip is usually a poor fit because it leaves the ferrule edge exposed.

How do I know whether I need slip-on or glue-on?

Check how your current tip is attached. If it slips over a small post or cap, it is a slip-on style; if it is bonded directly to the ferrule face, you need a glue-on replacement.

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