Is the Two-Color Rubber Rule Mandatory in Table Tennis?
Under the ITTF Statutes 2026, one side of the racket covering must be black and the other a bright color clearly distinguishable from black and from the color of the ball. The permitted bright colors were widened on 1 October 2021. This guide covers what the rule says, where the Statutes apply it and what changed.
Short answer: Yes, where the ITTF Laws apply. Law 2.4.6 in the ITTF Statutes 2026 requires the covering surface on one side of the blade to be matt black and the other side a bright color clearly distinguishable from black and from the ball. Under Regulation 3.1.2.1 the Laws apply to World, Continental, Olympic and Paralympic title competitions, open tournaments and, unless otherwise agreed, international matches. Since 1 October 2021 the ITTF has authorised pink, purple, green and blue as well as red.
Table of Contents
Why the Rule Exists: The ITTF’s Account
The ITTF’s news item of 30 September 2021 gives the history. Before 1983 the regulation required both sides of the racket to be the same color. When long pimpled and anti-spin coverings appeared in the late 1970s, contact with one side or the other had a totally different effect, and it became difficult for an opponent to detect which side had made contact. In 1983 the regulation changed to two distinct colors, and in 1985 the rule that one side be black and the other red was agreed.
What Changed in 2021
From 1985 the rule was black on one side and red on the other. On 1 October 2021, pink, purple, green and blue became officially authorised colors for racket coverings. They may be used instead of red, and one side must still be black (ITTF news, 30 September 2021). The Statutes 2026 wording for the other side is “a bright colour clearly distinguishable from black and from the colour of the ball”. The ITTF list of authorised racket coverings (LARC, dated 3 January 2026, copy hosted by the French federation) uses the color codes red, black, green, blue, pink and violet.
📊 Note: The 2021 change widened the list of authorised bright colors. One side must still be black.
Does This Apply at Recreational and Club Level?
Regulation 3.1.2.1 applies the Laws (Chapter 2, which contains the color rule) to World, Continental, Olympic and Paralympic title competitions, open tournaments and, unless otherwise agreed by the participating Associations, international matches. The Statutes do not say how national federations, clubs or casual games treat the rule, so check the rules of the event or league you are entering.
⚠️ Watch out: Do not assume the rule is enforced the same way at every local or casual event. The Statutes cover the competitions listed in Regulation 3.1.2.1; for anything else, the organizer’s own rules apply.
What Happens If Your Racket Doesn’t Comply
Law 2.4.8 requires a player, before the start of a match and whenever the racket is changed during a match, to show the opponent and the umpire the racket about to be used and allow them to examine it. Separately, Regulation 3.2.4 provides for a racket control centre at ITTF World Title, Olympic and Paralympic competitions and a select number of other ITTF competitions. It tests rackets against the ITTF regulations, with flatness, covering thickness, even thickness, continuity of layers and harmful substances named as examples; color is not among the named examples. A racket that does not pass the test before the match cannot be used but may be replaced by a second racket. The Statutes text does not describe a consequence specific to the color rule, so check the event’s rules, or ask the referee, before play.
What the Rule Text Says About Which Colors
The Statutes 2026 do not list colors. They require a bright color clearly distinguishable from black and from the color of the ball, and Law 2.3.3 says the ball is white or orange. The ITTF news item names pink, purple, green and blue as the newly authorised colors, and the LARC dated 3 January 2026 uses color codes for red, black, green, blue, pink and violet. The Statutes do not say whether an orange or yellow covering would be accepted, so check the manufacturer’s LARC listing or ask the referee before buying one.
Color and Authorisation Are Separate Checks
Beyond color, Regulation 3.2.1.3 requires any ordinary pimpled rubber or sandwich rubber covering the racket to be currently authorised by the ITTF, and attached so that the ITTF logo, the ITTF number (when present) and the supplier and brand names are clearly visible nearest the handle. Lists of approved and authorised equipment are maintained by the ITTF Office. Color compliance and authorisation are separate requirements, and a rubber has to meet both.
Why Different Colors Help an Opponent Read the Shot
The ITTF’s account says that once long pimpled and anti-spin coverings appeared, contact with one side or the other had a totally different effect and an opponent could not easily tell which side had made contact. Two clearly different colors make the side used visible.
- ✓Confirm a racket has one black side and one compliant bright color before sanctioned play
- ✓Check that any rubber you buy for tournament use is on the ITTF-approved equipment list, separate from its color
- ✓Ask a tournament referee if you’re ever unsure whether a specific color qualifies as compliant
- ✓Check the rules of the specific event or league you are entering
- ✕Pair two same-colored rubber sheets on a racket meant for sanctioned competition
- ✕Assume a bright orange or yellow rubber would automatically be compliant, given the ball’s own color
- ✕Assume equipment approval and color compliance are the same single check
- ✕Assume casual or local games follow the same rules without checking with the host
A Practical Note for Buying Rubber
If you are assembling or re-rubbering your own racket for events where the Laws apply, Law 2.4.6 means you cannot pair two rubbers of the same color. Many rubbers in the LARC are listed in both black and red, and some also in blue, pink, violet or green, so check that you are ordering one black sheet and one bright sheet rather than assuming any two rubbers you like can be paired.
💡 Pro tip: When buying rubber for a racket you intend to use where the Laws apply, double-check the color of both sheets before committing. It is an easy mistake to order two black sheets of your two favorite rubbers and only notice the compliance problem when it is time to play.
The Short Version, Restated
Law 2.4.6 in the ITTF Statutes 2026 requires one side of the racket covering to be matt black and the other a bright color clearly distinguishable from black and from the ball. Under Regulation 3.1.2.1 the Laws apply to the title competitions, open tournaments and international matches listed there. Since 1 October 2021 the ITTF has authorised pink, purple, green and blue as well as red. For national, club or casual play, the host or organizer sets the rules, so check them. For events where the Laws apply, treat it as a fixed requirement.
Common Questions
Is the two-color rubber rule mandatory in table tennis?
Yes, where the ITTF Laws apply (Regulation 3.1.2.1). Law 2.4.6 requires one side of the racket covering to be matt black and the other a bright color clearly distinguishable from black and from the ball.
What colors are allowed on the non-black side?
Since 1 October 2021 the ITTF has authorised pink, purple, green and blue as well as red for the non-black side (ITTF news, 30 September 2021).
Why does table tennis require two different colored rubbers?
According to the ITTF, once long pimpled and anti-spin coverings appeared, it became difficult for an opponent to detect which side of the racket had made contact, so the regulation moved to two distinct colors in 1983 and to black and red in 1985.
Does the two-color rule apply to casual recreational play?
The Statutes apply the Laws to the competitions listed in Regulation 3.1.2.1. For casual games the host or organizer sets the rules, so check the rules of wherever you are playing.
Can I use two rubbers of the same color for sanctioned play?
No. Where the Laws apply, one side must be black and the other a bright color clearly distinguishable from black and from the ball, so two same-colored sheets do not meet Law 2.4.6.
The Short Version
- →One side of the racket must be black, the other a bright, distinguishable color.
- →From 1 October 2021 pink, purple, green and blue are authorised alongside red.
- →The ITTF says the rule exists because it became hard for an opponent to tell which side made contact.
- →The Laws apply to the competitions listed in Regulation 3.1.2.1.
- →For casual play, the host or organizer sets the rules.
- →Check rubber colors before pairing two sheets for a sanctioned-play racket.
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