T700 vs T300 Carbon Fiber in Pickleball Paddles
Published October 25, 2026 · Last updated October 25, 2026 · By the PaddleMill Editorial Team
T700 and T300 are carbon fiber grades made by Toray. They have the same stiffness, but T700S is much stronger. Toray lists 4,900 MPa tensile strength for T700S versus 3,530 MPa for T300, with the same 230 GPa modulus. In a pickleball paddle, T700 is the usual choice for premium raw carbon faces, while T300 is a proven, lower-cost grade for entry and mid-range carbon models.
The grade matters, but it is only one part of how a paddle plays. Construction, core, weave and surface texture often change the feel just as much. This guide explains what the official numbers mean, what they do not mean, and how to choose and describe the grade for your brand. You can see a typical spec on our T700 raw carbon fiber paddle page.
Key Takeaways
- Toray’s data sheets list the same 230 GPa tensile modulus for T300 and T700S, so the two grades are equally stiff as fibers.
- T700S has about 39% higher tensile strength and 40% higher strain at failure than T300, which means it tolerates more load and stretch before breaking.
- Face feel depends heavily on construction, core thickness, layup and texture, so two T700 paddles can play very differently.
- Spin comes mainly from surface texture, not from fiber grade.
- Only claim a grade your supplier confirms in writing, and add the grade to your purchase order and inspection checklist.
What is the technical difference between T700 and T300?
The main difference is tensile strength and strain to failure. Stiffness is the same. Toray classifies both as standard modulus fibers in its Carbon Fiber Selector Guide (accessed October 2026).
The “T” names come from Toray, a major carbon fiber producer. Other producers sell fibers with similar properties, and factories often use “T700” to mean “T700-class” fiber. When a quote says T700, ask whether it means Toray-branded fiber or an equivalent grade from another maker. Both are common. You just need to describe it accurately.
| Property (Toray data sheet) | T300 | T700S |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 3,530 MPa (512 ksi) | 4,900 MPa (711 ksi) |
| Tensile modulus | 230 GPa (33.4 Msi) | 230 GPa (33.4 Msi) |
| Strain at failure | 1.5% | 2.1% |
| Density | 1.76 g/cm3 | 1.80 g/cm3 |
| Filament diameter | 7 µm | 7 µm |
| Tow sizes listed | 1K, 3K, 6K | 6K, 12K, 24K |
Figures are from the Toray T300 data sheet and Toray T700S data sheet (accessed October 2026). Toray notes these are lot averages for reference, not specification values.
What do the numbers mean for a paddle face?
Same stiffness means the face does not get firmer just because the grade changes. Higher strength and strain mean the T700 face can take more load and stretch before fibers break.
The chart below shows how T700S compares with T300 on each property, using the Toray figures above. Strength and strain rise by about 40%. Modulus does not change, and density rises only slightly.
In practice, that strength margin helps a thin face tolerate repeated impact and the odd clash with a partner’s paddle. It also lets factories use thin, efficient layups. What it does not do is change the paddle’s weight in any meaningful way. A 2.3% difference in fiber density is lost in normal paddle-to-paddle weight variation.
Remember that these are fiber values. Once fibers are combined with resin into a face, the laminate is weaker and less stiff than the bare fiber. The ranking holds, but the absolute numbers do not describe your paddle.
If a factory offers a truly stiffer carbon, it is a different class of fiber. Toray lists T800 as an intermediate modulus fiber at about 294 GPa, compared with 230 GPa for T300 and T700S, in the same selector guide. Higher-modulus fibers cost more and are less common in paddles, so ask why they are being suggested and how they change feel.
Can players feel the difference between T700 and T300?
Sometimes, but the grade is rarely the main variable. Two T700 paddles can feel very different if one is cold-pressed with a 16mm core and the other is thermoformed with a 14mm core.
Face thickness, the number of plies, fiber orientation, resin and surface texture all play a part. Players often describe high-end T700 paddles as crisp and consistent, but much of that comes from the overall build. Our guide to thermoformed vs cold-pressed paddles explains how construction changes power and feel.
The only fair test is a controlled one. Sample both grades with every other spec held constant: same shape, core, thickness, weight target and finish. Then ask players at your target level to try them without labels and write down what they notice.
Does T700 give more spin?
Not by itself. Spin comes mainly from surface texture. A raw carbon face with good texture can create strong spin in either grade. Many brands pair T700 with a raw or peel-ply finish because players link that combination with spin, but the texture is doing the work. Texture must also stay within the USA Pickleball limit of an Rz average of 30 micrometers (USA Pickleball, accessed October 2026).
What do 3K, 12K, 18K and UD mean?
These terms describe the carbon fabric, not the fiber grade. A paddle can be “T700 UD” or “T300 3K twill,” so ask for both when you compare quotes.
- 3K, 12K, 18K give the number of filaments in each tow: 3,000, 12,000 or 18,000. They change the look of the weave and the surface texture.
- Unidirectional (UD) means the fibers run in one direction instead of being woven. UD faces are common on raw carbon paddles.
- Twill and plain weave are woven patterns, often chosen for appearance.
Tow size also hints at the grade. Toray’s data sheets list T300 in 1K, 3K and 6K tows, and T700S in 6K, 12K and 24K tows. So a “T700 3K weave” is worth a follow-up question. It may be a different producer’s T700-class fiber, or the face may combine materials.
| Term | What it describes | Question to ask the factory |
|---|---|---|
| T300 / T700 | Fiber grade (strength class) | Toray-branded or equivalent? Which producer? |
| 3K / 12K / 18K | Filaments per tow | Which tow size is on the face? |
| UD / twill / plain | Fabric format or weave | How many plies, and in what orientation? |
| Raw / peel-ply / matte | Surface finish | Has the texture been checked against USA Pickleball limits? |
What else matters as much as the carbon grade?
Construction, core thickness, face layup and surface treatment matter at least as much as the grade. When two paddles feel different, these specs are usually the reason.
- Construction: cold-pressed paddles tend to feel softer, while thermoformed unibody paddles tend to feel livelier.
- Core thickness: a 16mm core usually feels softer and more stable than a 13mm or 14mm core. Our guide to 13mm vs 16mm paddle thickness covers the trade-offs.
- Face layup: the number of plies and their orientation change how the face flexes and how much it weighs.
- Surface treatment: raw, peel-ply or grit finishes set how much spin the face can create.
- Weight and balance: small changes in edge guard, handle and foam move swing weight more than the fiber grade does.
For this reason, write every one of these specs on your spec sheet, not just “T700.” A factory can keep the grade the same and still change the feel by switching the core or the number of plies. A full spec sheet protects your approved sample and makes reorders consistent.
Branding also interacts with the face. Heavy ink or thick clear coats can cover the raw texture on the hitting area. Many brands keep logos near the throat and edges on raw carbon models so the texture stays exposed.
Which grade should your brand choose?
Use T700 for premium and tournament-focused models, and T300 or fiberglass where price and branding matter more than face strength. The grade should match the price point and the player.
| If your product is… | Consider |
|---|---|
| An entry-level carbon paddle for rec players | T300, cold-pressed, 16mm core |
| A mid-range all-court paddle | T700 or T300, raw face, 16mm core |
| A premium or tournament model | T700 raw face, thermoformed, 14mm or 16mm |
| A club or corporate logo paddle | T300 or fiberglass; spend the budget on branding |
If you are still deciding between carbon and glass, read our carbon fiber vs fiberglass comparison first. For ready-made carbon bases, browse the carbon fiber pickleball paddle range.
How much does the grade affect cost?
T700 costs more to buy than T300, and it is more often used in premium builds that add their own cost. But the face fiber is only one part of the unit price. Construction, core, printing, packaging and order size can move the price as much as the grade does. Our guide to custom pickleball paddle cost lists all the drivers.
Comparing T700 and T300 for your next paddle?
We can sample both grades on the same shape and core so your players can compare them side by side.
How do you verify and market the carbon grade?
You cannot tell T700 from T300 by looking at a paddle. Verification relies on documents, reference samples and clear purchase terms.
- Ask for the fiber producer’s data sheet and material purchase records for your batch.
- Write the grade, tow size and fabric format on your purchase order and spec sheet.
- Keep a sealed reference sample from the approved pre-production run.
- Add the material grade to your paddle quality inspection checklist.
- For large programs, consider independent material testing.
We inspect before shipment and resolve verified defects. Our quality control process page explains what we check.
How should you describe the grade to customers?
Use the grade only if your supplier has confirmed it in writing. Do not imply Toray-branded fiber unless you have the paperwork. Then explain what the grade means for the player, such as a durable face and consistent feel. Fiber numbers alone do not describe the finished paddle.
If you change the face material on an approved model, check the rules first. USA Pickleball says paddles that differ significantly in core or surface material must have a unique name or number. Plan model names with that in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is T700 carbon fiber stiffer than T300?
No. Toray lists the same tensile modulus, 230 GPa, for both T300 and T700S. T700S is stronger and stretches more before breaking, but it is not stiffer as a fiber.
Is a T700 paddle always better than a T300 paddle?
No. T700 gives a stronger face, but construction, core, thickness and texture often matter more for feel and spin. A well-built T300 paddle can outplay a poorly built T700 one.
Can you tell T700 from T300 by looking at the paddle?
No. The grades look the same once they are in a face. Rely on the data sheet, purchase records, a sealed reference sample and the grade written on your purchase order.
Does T700 make a paddle lighter?
Not noticeably. T700S is actually slightly denser than T300 by Toray data, 1.80 vs 1.76 g/cm3. Paddle weight depends far more on core, layup, edge guard and handle.
Why do some factories quote “T700” at very different prices?
“T700” can mean Toray-branded fiber or a T700-class fiber from another producer. Quotes also differ in plies, fabric format and construction. Ask for the producer and full face spec before comparing prices.
Conclusion
T700 and T300 share the same stiffness, but T700S is about 39% stronger by Toray’s own data. That makes T700 the natural choice for premium raw carbon faces, while T300 remains a solid, lower-cost grade for entry and mid-range models.
- Same 230 GPa modulus, so the grade alone does not make a face firmer.
- T700S: 4,900 MPa strength vs 3,530 MPa for T300.
- Construction, core and texture often matter more for feel and spin.
- Verify the grade on paper, and only claim what you can document.
The core is the other half of the face system. Read our guide to the polymer honeycomb core next.
Sources
- Toray Composite Materials America – TORAYCA T300 Data Sheet (accessed October 2026)
- Toray Composite Materials America – TORAYCA T700S Data Sheet (accessed October 2026)
- Toray Composite Materials America – Carbon Fiber Selector Guide (Rev. 12.3.2021; accessed October 2026)
- USA Pickleball – Equipment Standards Manual, Revision 3.0 (January 2025; accessed October 2026)
