The “ball” in badminton is called a shuttlecock, usually shortened to shuttle. In the United States most people call it a birdie. All three names mean the same thing: a cone of 16 overlapping feathers (or a moulded nylon skirt) fixed into a rounded cork base. Its shape makes it unlike any other projectile in sport: it can leave the racket faster than a tennis serve, then slow down so sharply that it drops almost straight down at the back of the court.
This guide covers what a shuttlecock is made of, the official specifications, feather versus nylon, speed ratings, and which type to buy.
Shuttlecock facts
- Names: shuttlecock, shuttle, birdie (US), “bird” among players
- Feathers: 16, each 62 mm to 70 mm long
- Weight: 4.74 g to 5.50 g
- Cork base diameter: 25 mm to 28 mm
- Feather tip circle: 58 mm to 68 mm across
- Fastest recorded smash: over 500 km/h in testing; tournament smashes regularly exceed 400 km/h
What is the badminton ball called?
The official name in the BWF Laws of Badminton is shuttle, short for shuttlecock. The word is centuries older than the modern sport: children in Europe and Asia played battledore and shuttlecock, keeping a feathered cork in the air with simple paddles, long before badminton’s rules were written down in the 1870s. In North America the nickname birdie stuck, and you will hear both terms in the same club. “Badminton ball” is a common search term, but players never use it.
Badminton is the only major sport played with a shuttlecock. Related games such as speedminton (crossminton) and the Chinese game jianzi use similar ideas, but with heavier or kicked shuttles.
How a shuttlecock is made
Feather shuttles
The shuttles used in tournaments and most club play are made from 16 goose or duck feathers fixed into a cork base covered with thin leather. Goose feathers are stiffer and more durable, which is why premium shuttles use them. The feathers come from the same wing (left or right) so they all curve the same way, which makes the shuttle spin as it flies and keeps its flight stable.
The feathers are glued and stitched into the cork, then bound with thread. Quality control is strict: each feather must be the same length and angle, otherwise the shuttle wobbles.
Synthetic (nylon) shuttles
Nylon or plastic shuttles have a one-piece moulded skirt instead of real feathers. The base is cork, a cork composite, or foam. They last many times longer than feather shuttles and are much cheaper per game, which makes them the standard for schools, beginners, outdoor play and practice.
Official shuttlecock specifications
According to the BWF Laws, a shuttle must meet these requirements:
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Number of feathers | 16, fixed in the base |
| Feather length (tip to top of base) | 62 mm to 70 mm, all the same in one shuttle |
| Diameter of the circle formed by feather tips | 58 mm to 68 mm |
| Base | 25 mm to 28 mm diameter, rounded on the bottom |
| Weight | 4.74 g to 5.50 g |
Synthetic shuttles are allowed under the Laws if their flight characteristics are generally similar to a feather shuttle, with a tolerance of up to 10% on the specifications above.
Feather vs nylon: which should you use?
| Feather shuttle | Nylon shuttle | |
|---|---|---|
| Flight | Sharp deceleration, steep drop, precise | Slower deceleration, flatter flight, drifts more |
| Feel off the racket | Crisp, responsive | Softer, a little “spongy” |
| Durability | Low: a hard-hitting session can break several | High: one tube can last weeks |
| Cost | Higher per shuttle and much higher per hour | Low |
| Best for | Club play, tournaments, intermediate and advanced players | Beginners, schools, outdoor and backyard play, practice drills |
If you play once a week socially, a good nylon shuttle is the sensible choice. If you play competitively, practise with feathers, because the flight path is different enough to affect your timing and shot selection.
Shuttle speed ratings
Shuttles are made in different speeds so that they fly the same distance in different conditions. Warm air and high altitude make a shuttle fly further; cold air makes it fall short. Manufacturers label speed in a few ways:
| Common label | Typical conditions |
|---|---|
| Speed 76 / 1 / Slow | Hot climates, high altitude |
| Speed 77 / 2 / Medium | Most indoor halls in temperate climates |
| Speed 78 / 3 / Fast | Cool halls at sea level |
| Speed 79 / 4 | Cold halls |
Nylon shuttles often use colour-coded bands instead: green for slow, blue for medium and red for fast on the most common brand. Check the tube for the manufacturer’s own guide.
How to test shuttle speed
The Laws describe a simple test. Stand at the back boundary line and hit the shuttle with a full underhand stroke, upwards and parallel to the sidelines. A correct-speed shuttle lands between 530 mm and 990 mm short of the opposite back boundary line. If it goes further, use a slower shuttle; if it falls shorter, use a faster one.
How fast does a badminton shuttle go?
Off the racket, a shuttle is the fastest object in racket sports. Professional smashes regularly exceed 400 km/h (250 mph), and Guinness World Records lists the fastest badminton hit as 565 km/h (351 mph), struck by India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy on 14 April 2023 in a test at Yonex’s factory in Saitama, Japan. That beat the previous record of 493 km/h set by Malaysia’s Tan Boon Heong. A typical club player’s smash is closer to 150 km/h to 250 km/h.
The shuttle loses speed very quickly because of the drag created by its feather skirt. A smash that leaves the racket at 300 km/h may be travelling at less than a quarter of that speed by the time it reaches the receiver. That is why badminton rallies can be returned at all, and why timing matters more than raw power. Read more in our badminton smash guide.
How to choose shuttles
- Beginners and backyard players: buy a tube of medium-speed nylon shuttles. They survive mishits and concrete.
- Outdoor play: look for outdoor shuttles, which are heavier and more wind resistant. Light indoor shuttles get blown around.
- Club and league players: use a mid-range feather shuttle in the speed that suits your hall. Many clubs supply them.
- Competitive players: use the same model as your tournament if you can, so the flight is familiar.
How to make shuttles last longer
- Store tubes in a cool place with a little humidity. Dry feathers become brittle.
- Some players keep feather shuttles in a humidifier box or steam them briefly before play.
- Rotate shuttles during a session instead of using one until it breaks.
- Straighten bent feathers gently between rallies.
- Retire a shuttle once feathers are broken, because its flight becomes unpredictable.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called a birdie?
Because its feathers make it look like a small bird. The nickname is mostly American; most other countries say shuttle.
How many feathers are on a shuttlecock?
Sixteen.
How much does a shuttlecock weigh?
Between 4.74 g and 5.50 g, about the weight of a nickel coin.
What is the cork on a shuttlecock for?
The heavy, rounded cork base keeps the shuttle flying cork-first and gives a solid contact point for the racket.
Can you use a nylon shuttle in a tournament?
Only if the organiser allows it. Most tournaments above beginner level use feather shuttles.
New to the game? Start with how to play badminton or see what else you need in our badminton equipment guide.
