How to level a pinball machine

Whenever I set up a pinball machine in a new location, whether it’s my own game room, an event space, or a public arcade, I always make time to carefully level the playfield. It’s not just a technical requirement; it’s a key ingredient for creating satisfying gameplay. Pinball machines come with adjustable legs, each fitted with a leveler that can be rotated to fine-tune the height. Doing this correctly determines both the angle and the balance of the playfield, which directly influences how the ball moves, reacts, and plays.

Quick summary of the whole article: make the the machine left-right level and give the playfield a slope of 6.5 degrees.

Adjusting the Leg Levelers

Every leg includes a threaded leveler at its base. By rotating it clockwise, you extend the leveler downward, thereby increasing the leg's height. On older games, rusted threads can become a hassle. I’ve had to spray penetrating oil more than once just to loosen them. With newer legs, I take preventative steps by applying a silicone spray to keep the screws clean and protected from wear. If you see a nut on the leveler, it’s typically there to lock it in place once the desired height is set. This keeps the level stable over time.

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Leg levelers underneath each pinball machine leg. With these you can adjust the height.

Why proper leveling matters

The angle and level of the playfield shape the entire playing experience. A misaligned cabinet can cause odd ball paths, unpredictable rebounds, and missed shots. In extreme cases, the game becomes frustrating rather than fun. But when properly tuned, pinball becomes smoother, faster, and fairer. Even without a level tool, you’ll notice problems: for instance, if a raised playfield doesn’t settle evenly into the cabinet, and the hooks don’t align, that’s often a sign that one leg is too high and twisting the cabinet slightly. This not only affects gameplay but can also stress the structure and wear down mechanical parts.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking a steep slope equals better gameplay and you're a tough guy and an excellent pinball player. Yes, increasing the angle makes the pinball move faster, but it also fundamentally alters the machine’s dynamics. On a very steep game, you'll get mostly get vertical ball movements. A shallow slope can lead to sluggish ball behavior and more side-to-side motion, while a steep one minimizes lateral movement but challenges side shots. I always recommend starting with the angle designers had in mind: usually between 6.5 and 7 degrees, and adjusting from there based on personal preference.

Where to begin: leveling basics

When leveling a pinball machine, you need to focus on three core adjustments:

• Ensure the back legs are horizontally aligned
• Ensure the front legs are also level with each other
• Adjust the overall slope of the playfield by changing the cabinet level from front to back

If you change one of these settings—say, by adjusting the rear legs to steepen the slope—be sure to revisit the other two. Any change in height can throw off the horizontal balance. While 6.5 to 7 degrees is the sweet spot for most modern games, older electromechanical machines typically call for a 5-degree slope. Still, if you’re reviving a classic title and want to add excitement, a steeper angle might breathe new life into it.

When I get a new game, I often play for a few weeks and then adjust the level. I'll make it much steeper or a but less shallow, and play again a few weeks with the new setup. It all depends on the game, its layout, but even how fresh the rubber rings are, how powerful coils like slingshots kick, .. and only by experimenting with different playfield angles, you'll find the best playing combination.

When you don't like how a pinball comes down from a ramp, you can quickly test this. Remove the playfield glass and let a pinball roll down, see where it ends. Do a significant change to the angle (I use pieces of wood that I put under the legs to quickly test different setups) and see how the path is adjusted. This way on some games you can decide if a pinball will bounce against a slingshot or will pass it so you can catch it on a flipper. Also if you feel you can't make certain shots, you hit many posts, adjusting the angle of the playfied can help (together with adjusting the flipper bats).

Experimenting to improve your game

If you own your machine and want to train for competitions, consider experimenting with the slope. It’s a learning experience: your timing, reflexes, and control will evolve. For instance, a game with rapid loop returns demands precise timing, and familiarity helps you react instinctively. But playing the same model elsewhere you'll notice it feels totally different. Your timing will be off. Flippers may be stronger or weaker, wear patterns different, and the slope off by just a degree. These subtle changes affect your rhythm. Adjusting your home machine regularly helps train adaptability for varied conditions you'll encounter in tournaments.

How I level my machines

I used to begin leveling with the front legs, thinking that my comfort at the flipper buttons mattered most. But as I started collecting more machines, I shifted to starting at the back. If you’re tall, short, or only own one machine, front-leg height may be more important for you personally. You want the flipper buttons to be at a natural position: it shouldn’t feel like you’re reaching or crouching. For owners with multiple games, keeping the front height uniform creates consistency across sessions.

Once I’ve matched the front height to my other games, I move to the back legs. I extend their levelers about three-fourths down and try to keep both sides even. I try to aim for the playfield slope to be around 6.5 degrees. Once one of the legs is so the playfield is around that angle, you want to adjust both back legs to have the back horizontal. An electronic inclinometer helps a lot—it beeps when it hits 0 degrees, which saves me from constantly crawling under the cabinet. If you have a friend helping, it speeds up the process, changing it from a 10 minute into a 2 minute job.. Once the cabinet is level at the back and front, I start tweaking the slope. Raise or increase both back legs the same, keeping the back horizontal. Anything below 6 degrees makes a game feel flat and dull. Aiming for 6.5 to 7 degrees gives the best balance between speed and control.

If you have multiple games (of the same brand), you probably want to start with the back legs. Thay's what I do now. Set up the legs so they are similar to the other machines. It may be my OCD, but nothing is nicer than a row of pinball machines where the backboxes all align on the top.
If each machine is a quarter of an inch lower or higher, your row of pinball machines will look off.

How to measure the slope

If you’ve got an electronic inclinometer, great, you’re already set. But if you don’t, smartphones (especially iPhones) have built-in accelerometer tools. There are free apps that turn your phone into a digital level and are more than accurate enough for home use. Just place the phone in the middle of the playfield and observe the reading. You're aiming for 6.5 degrees.

Most machines also have a small bubble level on the cabinet’s right side. It’s not super accurate, but it helps. Bally/Williams machines use a three-line indicator: the bottom line is 6 degrees, and each line above adds half a degree. So if the bubble hovers at the second line, you’re at 6.5 degrees. That’s typically where you want to be.
Note that this small bubble level is just an indication and not always accurate.

For those who don’t own a digital inclinometer or a phone app, I’ve created a simple cardboard leveling triangle that you can print and cut. Glue it to some thick cardboard (it has to be strong enough so you can put your level onto it) It’s angled to precisely 6.5 degrees. Place it on the middle of the playfield, rest a bubble level on top, and adjust the rear legs until the level reads horizontal. That means your slope is right on target. It's a cheap but very effective trick.

An electronic inclinometer can also be used. When measuring on the playfield, because of its slope you have to make sure it's parallel to the front of the cabinet. It would've been better to set it on one of the horizontal line in the Mansion.

Final Playfield Checks

After the slope is set, confirm that the back legs are horizontally aligned. I usually place the bubble level right on the playfield glass near the backbox. Avoid setting it on the lockdown bar—those aren’t always perfectly straight and can skew your readings. If you’re going full precision, remove the lockdown bar and measure the cabinet wood directly. Some people prefer checking on the playfield itself, but that can be tricky unless you’re sure the tool is aligned perfectly parallel to the cabinet front.

Note the level sits on the lockdown bar. Even better would be to remove the lockdown bar and measure the wood of the cabinet, or to put it on the playfield glass.

I also visually inspect the playfield hooks at the front of the cabinet. If the playfield doesn’t sit squarely in the cabinet and feels twisted or requires pressure to lock into place, something’s likely off with the legs. Misalignment puts unnecessary stress on the cabinet corners and can eventually warp the structure. In extreme cases it can even be the cause of exploding pinball playfield glass! When one of the legs is off and the whole cabinet is a bit crooked, the playfield glass will have a lot of stress on it. When you remove it for servicing the machine, the glass adjusts itself and may explode spontanious!

My final test is simple but effective: remove the playfield glass and let a pinball roll gently from the center. Watch where it goes. It should roll straight between the flippers. If it veers off or feels sluggish, tweak your slope or level again.

Don't forget the tilt mechanism

Here’s something many forget: check the tilt bob. After changing the slope, your machine’s tilt sensitivity might shift. A steeper angle could make the pendulum overly sensitive and result in unintentional tilt warnings. You’ll want to readjust the ring or bob as needed so the game remains playable but still punishes excessive nudging appropriately.

Closing thoughts

Leveling a pinball machine may not be the most glamorous part of ownership, but it’s essential. Whether you're setting up a game for competitive play, personal enjoyment, or location-based use, leveling ensures the experience remains consistent, fair, and fun. Do you need to obsess over every tiny detail? Not necessarily. I’ll admit I skip steps with certain machines, especially if I already know their quirks. But ignoring it completely isn’t wise either. Slapping the legs on and diving into gameplay without making any adjustments usually leads to weird ball behavior, missed shots, and unnecessary frustration.

Take the time to level your machine properly. It’s a small investment that pays off with better gameplay, longer component life, and happier players.

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