# Why does string length matter?

**URL:** <https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-does-string-length-matter/397733>\
**Category:** Spin Tops\
**Created:** [March 30, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-does-string-length-matter/397733 "2024-03-30T19:58:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Razerface](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/razerface/32/265697_2.png) [@Razerface](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Razerface)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-does-string-length-matter/397733/1 "2024-03-30T19:58:18Z")

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I know string length makes a difference,but why? Why doesn’t it just keep unwinding string until the end when it flips over?

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**Author:** ![kevinm](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kevinm/32/697_2.png) [@kevinm](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kevinm)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 8:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-does-string-length-matter/397733/2 "2024-03-30T20:55:30Z")

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It does continue to unwind to the end of the string, and the tip orientation is also rotating from pointing up to pointing down. The correct string length allows the top to reach the end after a 180 degree flip. If it is too short or too long, the top releases sideways.

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**Author:** ![Razerface](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/razerface/32/265697_2.png) [@Razerface](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Razerface)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2024, 2:17pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-does-string-length-matter/397733/3 "2024-03-31T14:17:29Z")

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I thought the top flipped at the last of the throw from wrapping the string around the top, or from the plastic ring. You are saying it starts flipping as soon as/while it is unwinding? That sort of makes sense as it is pulling on one end of the top. So wrapping the string around the crown is just securing the string and has nothing to do with flipping?

I looked for a slow-mo to see a throw/flip but did not find one.

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**Author:** ![kevinm](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kevinm/32/697_2.png) [@kevinm](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kevinm)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-does-string-length-matter/397733/4 "2024-03-31T15:56:24Z")

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Yes, it does a flip continuously, I couldn’t find a vid either, but this explains it.

> **[yophosis - String Length](https://sites.google.com/site/yophosis/spin-tops-101/all-about-string)**
>
> STRING LENGTH
> The “correct” string length is not based on the size of the person throwing it, it is based on the size and weight of the top (and where the weight is) and the thickness of the string being used. The number of wraps the string makes...

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**Author:** ![Grendel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/grendel/32/92975_2.png) [@Grendel](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Grendel)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2024, 4:26pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-does-string-length-matter/397733/5 "2024-03-31T16:26:28Z")

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