Pool Ball Colors and Numbers: Solids, Stripes and the 8
A standard pool set has 16 balls: a white cue ball and 15 numbered object balls. The 1 through 8 are solid colors, and the 9 through 15 are white with a colored stripe. Each stripe uses the same color as the solid eight numbers below it.
The colors, ball by ball
| Color | Solid | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | 1 | 9 |
| Blue | 2 | 10 |
| Red | 3 | 11 |
| Purple | 4 | 12 |
| Orange | 5 | 13 |
| Green | 6 | 14 |
| Maroon (burgundy) | 7 | 15 |
| Black | 8 | none |
A quick way to remember them: the stripe is always the solid's number plus eight. The 3 is red, so the 11 is red-striped. Some sets use slightly different shades (a pink 4, a brown 7), and TV and pro sets sometimes use brighter colors so they show up on camera.
The cue ball
The cue ball is plain white. Some are marked with a red or blue dot or logo so players and viewers can see spin. Coin-operated bar tables sometimes use a slightly larger or heavier cue ball so the table can send it back to the player; it plays a little differently from a standard one.
How the numbers are used
- 8-Ball: one player takes the solids (1 to 7), the other the stripes (9 to 15), and the 8 is last. See 8-Ball rules.
- 9-Ball and 10-Ball: only balls 1 to 9 (or 1 to 10) are used, and you must hit the lowest-numbered ball first. See 9-Ball rules and 10-Ball rules.
- Straight pool and One Pocket: the numbers don't matter; every ball counts the same.
- Cutthroat: three players each own a group: 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 11 to 15. See cutthroat rules.
Setting up a game? Read how to rack pool balls for every game. Need a new set for a home table? See the home pool table buying guide.