Padel vs pickleball
By the Finding Padel team · Updated 30 October 2026
The biggest difference: padel is played on an enclosed court with walls you can play the ball off, while pickleball is played on an open court with no walls. Padel uses a perforated racket and a pressurised ball with tennis scoring. Pickleball uses a solid paddle and a plastic ball with holes, with games to 11.
Both are easy to start, social and fast growing. Plenty of people play both.
Padel vs pickleball at a glance
| Padel | Pickleball | |
|---|---|---|
| Court size | 20 x 10 m (65.6 x 32.8 ft) | 20 x 44 ft (6.1 x 13.4 m) |
| Walls | Fully enclosed. Ball can be played off the walls after it bounces | None |
| Players | Doubles (almost always) | Singles or doubles |
| Racket | Solid, perforated padel racket, max 45.5 cm long | Solid paddle, no holes |
| Ball | Pressurised rubber ball, similar to a tennis ball | Plastic ball with holes |
| Net height | 0.88 m (34.6 in) centre, 0.92 m (36.2 in) ends | 34 in centre, 36 in sidelines |
| Serve | Bounce it, hit at or below waist, diagonal into service box | Hit from behind the baseline, diagonal, must clear the non-volley zone |
| Special rule | Walls in play after the bounce | Two-bounce rule and the 7 ft non-volley zone ("kitchen") |
| Scoring | Tennis style: 15, 30, 40, game, sets to six | Games to 11, win by 2. Standard scoring gives points only to the serving side |
| Governing body | International Padel Federation (FIP) | USA Pickleball (US) |
How they feel to play
Padel is about angles and patience. The walls keep rallies going, so points are often long, and lobs and wall play are as important as hitting hard. Being at the net with your partner is the aim.
Pickleball is about touch at the kitchen line. The two-bounce rule and the non-volley zone mean many points are won with soft, low "dinks" and quick hand battles at the net.
Which is easier to learn?
Both are beginner friendly. Pickleball's small court and light paddle make the very first session simple. Padel's walls give beginners second chances, so rallies come quickly too. The learning curve then splits: in padel it is reading the glass, in pickleball it is the soft game at the kitchen.
Which is the better workout?
Both get you moving. Padel's longer rallies and runs to the back glass tend to mean more movement per point, but how hard you work depends on your level and your opponents more than the sport.
Which should you choose?
- Choose padel if you want a team game with long rallies and love the idea of using the walls.
- Choose pickleball if you want something you can play singles or doubles on a simple open court.
- Or try both. If you are near a padel club, start with our first padel game guide.
In the US
Pickleball got a head start in the United States, but padel is growing fast too, and our directory lists clubs in Florida, Texas, California and beyond. The United States Padel Association (USPA) is the national governing body for padel in the US.
Where to play padel near you
Club details last checked 30 Oct 2026.
Quick answers
Is padel the same as pickleball?
No. Different court, walls, equipment, ball and scoring.
Can you play padel on a pickleball court?
No. Padel needs its own enclosed court with walls.
Is a padel court bigger than a pickleball court?
Yes. A padel court is 20 x 10 m, about 66 x 33 ft. A pickleball court is 20 x 44 ft.
Sources
International Padel Federation, Rules of Padel (applies from 1 January 2026); USA Pickleball, 2026 Official Rulebook (Rules 3, 4, 7, 10 and 14); USPA, About us.
Keep reading
Padel is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed 20 x 10 metre court where the ball can bounce off the walls. Here is how it works, where it came from and why people love it.
Padel vs tennis: court size, walls, rackets, the underarm serve and scoring compared. What carries over from tennis, what does not, and tips for tennis players trying padel.
A padel court is 20 m long and 10 m wide (about 66 x 33 ft), with service lines 6.95 m from the net and a net 88 cm high in the middle. Every official measurement, with a diagram.