Anyone who wants to buy a pinball machine will sooner or later ask themselves the same questions: How big is a pinball machine? How much space is needed? Will the machine fit through doors, in the stairwell or in the hobby room? And how heavy is a modern pinball machine anyway?
In this guide you will find all the important information about the dimensions, weight and space requirements of modern pinball machines. Whether for your home, hobby room, your own bar, a hotel, company or for use at events – with the right planning, transport, set-up and subsequent installation will be much easier.
We’ll show you the dimensions of typical pinball machines when assembled, what you should look out for during transport and how much space you should plan around the pinball machine. This will help you to decide which pinball machine is right for your location and area of use before you buy.
Typical dimensions of a pinball machine
Assembly dimensions:
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Height: approx. 190 – 195 cm
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Length: approx. 145 cm
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Width: approx. 72 – 75 cm
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Weight: depending on model and manufacturer approx. 110 -160 kg
Minimum dimensions for play area including pinball machine:
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Length: approx. 215 cm
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Width: approx. 95 cm
Additional space required:
The play area is folded up for maintenance or troubleshooting. Therefore, plan for sufficient additional ceiling height, especially in low rooms or sloping ceilings. A height of at least 205 cm is recommended.
The most frequently asked questions:
Most modern pinball machines are around 70 to 75 cm wide, 140 to 145 cm long and around 190 to 195 cm high.
In addition to the actual dimensions of the machine, you should also allow enough space for playing and moving around. For a pleasant playing experience, we recommend a little free space around the pinball machine.
The minimum dimensions for the play area should be a height of 205 cm, a width of 95 cm and a depth of 215 cm.
Depending on the manufacturer and model, modern pinball machines usually weigh between 100 and 140 kg (without packaging). However, there are also pinball machines that weigh up to 160 kg.
No. Modern pinball machines are simply operated via a normal 230V socket.
Yes, many pinball machines today are actually located in private homes, hobby rooms or basements. The most important factors are sufficient space for the playing area and a stable surface.
Modern pinball machines, such as those from Stern Pinball, Barrels of Fun or Jersey Jack Pinball, generally have very similar dimensions and are therefore easy to plan – whether for home, a hobby room, a bar or commercial use. When set up, the width of a pinball machine is usually around 75 cm, the length around 145 cm and the height including the backbox around 195 cm. Depending on the model, the weight is usually between 110 and 150 kg.
The head section can be folded down and the legs removed for transport. This allows the Flipper to be transported upright if necessary. This significantly reduces the height and the pinball machine usually fits through normal doors, lifts or stairwells without any problems. However, it is important to plan enough space around the future location – not only for the device itself, but also for playing and maintenance work. In addition to the pure dimensions of the device, you should therefore also allow for sufficient space in front of and next to the pinball machine.
For hotels, bars, companies or events, we also recommend a little more space so that several people can stand comfortably at the machine.
The exact dimensions may vary slightly depending on the model and accessories. Devices with an additional topper in particular sometimes require a little more height.
Most modern pinball machines are between 72 and 76 cm wide. The exact size depends on the manufacturer and model. In addition to the width of the machine, sufficient space for playing and maintenance work should also be planned for installation at home.
A modern pinball machine is usually between 135 and 145 cm long. The length is measured from the front to the back of the head section. Older machines may have slightly different dimensions, but are usually in a similar range.
The overall height of an assembled pinball machine is normally between 185 and 200 cm. Appliances with toppers or additional lighting elements on the backbox can be significantly higher. The available ceiling height should therefore be checked before purchasing, especially in basements or rooms with sloping ceilings.
The weight of a pinball machine depends on the year of manufacture and the manufacturer. Older electromechanical devices often weigh between 100 and 120 kg. Modern pinball machines usually weigh between 120 and 160 kg.
At least 2 to 3 square metres should be planned for a single pinball machine. In addition to the machine itself, the player needs sufficient room to move in front of the machine. It is particularly comfortable if there is at least 80 to 100 cm of free space in front of the pinball machine .
The actual play area of a standard pinball machine is around 51 to 52 cm wide and around 110 cm long. This area, the playfield, contains all the ramps, bumpers, targets, figures and other game elements.
Widebody pinball machines have a wider playing area (from approx. 59 cm) and therefore offer more space for complex game mechanics.
A widebody is a pinball machine with a wider cabinet and playing field. The additional width often allows manufacturers to accommodate more ramps, toys and game mechanics. The larger playing field often provides a slightly different playing experience and the layout appears more spacious overall.
Well-known wide-body pinball machines include Indiana Jones from Williams, Twilight Zone from Bally and modern machines such as The Hobbit or Pirates of the Caribbean from Jersey Jack Pinball and Evil Dead from Spooky Pinball.
A room height of around 2 metres is usually sufficient for normal play. However, if the playing field is to be raised and set up for maintenance work, a minimum height of 210 cm is often required.
For pinball machines with toppers or high decorative elements, additional space may be required to install these upgrades.
A pinball machine can be set up in the cellar without any problems. The room should be dry, as excessive humidity can damage electronics, metal parts and wooden components in the long term.
Before purchasing, you should also check whether doors, stairs and ceiling heights are suitable for transporting the appliance.
Due to the heavy weight, transport with at least two people is recommended. There is an increased risk of injury and damage, particularly on stairs or in confined spaces. A suitable hand truck or stair climber can be helpful for longer distances.
For normal operation, a distance of 10 to 20 cm from the rear wall is usually sufficient. If you regularly carry out maintenance work or want to move the pinball machine more easily, you should allow a little more space.