Ping pong or ping-pong: spelling and hyphen
Both "ping-pong" and "ping pong" are widely used. Dictionaries such as Merriam-Webster list the hyphenated "ping-pong" for the generic word and capitalized "Ping-Pong" as a trademark. The official name of the sport is "table tennis", written in lowercase. In everyday writing, pick one form and use it consistently.
In this article
Ping pong, ping-pong, Ping-Pong or pingpong? If you have ever paused before typing it, you are not alone. The word started as a sound, became a brand name, and then turned into an everyday word, which is why so many spellings float around.
Here is how to spell ping pong, when to use the hyphen and capitals, and when to say table tennis instead.
The short answer
| Form | When to use it |
|---|---|
| ping-pong | The dictionary form for the generic word; a safe choice in careful writing |
| ping pong | Very common, especially online and in casual writing |
| Ping-Pong | The trademark, capitalized, for the brand name |
| pingpong | Rare; most style guides and dictionaries do not use it |
| table tennis | The official name of the sport, always lowercase |
Ping-pong with a hyphen
Merriam-Webster and other major dictionaries list ping-pong with a hyphen when it is used as an ordinary word. The hyphen makes sense: the word is a sound-based compound, like "tick-tock", "zig-zag" or "flip-flop", where two similar sounds are joined into one word.
The generic word is used as a noun and as a verb:
- noun: "We played ping-pong after dinner."
- verb, figuratively: "The ball ping-ponged across the table" or "the conversation ping-ponged between topics." Here it means moving quickly back and forth.
Ping pong without a hyphen
The open form ping pong is extremely common, and most readers will not even notice. Many clubs, bars and product listings use it. If you are writing for the web, a blog or social media, "ping pong" is perfectly fine. Just be consistent within the same text.
One small detail: when the word is used before another noun, some writers keep the hyphen for clarity, as in "a ping-pong table" or "ping-pong balls". Without it, "ping pong table" is also widely understood.
Ping-Pong with capitals: the trademark
Ping-Pong with a capital P on both parts is a trademark. In the early 1900s the English company J. Jaques & Son registered the name for its table tennis sets, and the American rights went to Parker Brothers. Dictionaries still note the trademark today.
That is exactly why the governing bodies chose the name table tennis for the sport: they did not want it to depend on a brand. The full story is in table tennis vs ping pong.
In practice, you only need the capitals when you refer to the brand. For the game itself, lowercase is normal.
Table tennis: the official name
The sport's governing body is the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), and the Olympics list the sport as table tennis. Like other sports names, it is written in lowercase in a sentence: "She plays table tennis", not "She plays Table Tennis".
In the US, people say "ping pong" a lot in everyday speech, while players and clubs tend to say "table tennis". Both refer to the same game with the same rules.
Related words
- Ping-pong ball or ping pong ball: both common. In official rules, it is just "the ball" (40 mm, 2.7 g). More in ping pong balls.
- Paddle, bat or racket: "paddle" is the usual word in the US, "bat" in the UK, and "racket" is the word used in the official rules.
- Table tennis player: the standard term. You may also see "paddler" in sports journalism.
- Beer pong: a different game entirely, which just borrows the ball.
The rest of the vocabulary, from loop to let, is in the table tennis glossary.
Common mistakes
- "Ping Pong" with capitals in the middle of a sentence when you mean the game: use lowercase.
- "Table Tennis" with capitals in a sentence: lowercase unless it starts the sentence or is part of a name.
- Mixing forms in the same article, like "ping pong" in one paragraph and "ping-pong" in the next.
- "Ping-pong" for beer pong: they are different games.
Curious how other languages name the sport? See ping pong in other languages.
Frequently asked questions
Is it ping pong or ping-pong?
Both are used. Dictionaries list the hyphenated "ping-pong" as the generic word, and "ping pong" without a hyphen is very common in casual writing. Pick one and stay consistent.
Is Ping-Pong a trademark?
Yes. "Ping-Pong" with capitals was registered as a trademark in the early 1900s, which is why the sport's official name is table tennis.
Should table tennis be capitalized?
No. Like other sports names, it is lowercase in a sentence.
How do you spell ping pong ball?
"Ping-pong ball" or "ping pong ball". Both are widely used.