Padel rules are set worldwide by the International Padel Federation (FIP), and local federations prepare their competition regulations based on this framework. This content is a simplified and easy-to-understand guide based on the FIP padel rules.
Padel Rules
Padel is a racket sport mainly played in doubles, using the tennis scoring system, where, similar to squash, the walls are an active part of the game. A point starts with a serve, the ball must first bounce on the court, and then it may hit the walls; the side that loses the rally concedes the point.
- Most common format: 2 vs 2 (doubles).
- Court: 10×20 m enclosed, a rectangular court surrounded by glass and metal panels.
- Scoring: Same as tennis (15–30–40, game, set, match).
- Ball: Special padel balls similar to tennis balls but with lower internal pressure.
- Racket: Perforated, stringless composite padel racket.
Padel court dimensions and padel court construction costs can be found here.
Padel Court and Surface Characteristics
The standard padel court is a rectangular playing area 20 meters long and 10 meters wide. The court is divided in the middle by a net 0.88 m high (approximately 0.92 m at the posts). The back and side walls are enclosed with glass or metal fencing, and these walls are used as an active part of play.
- The back and side walls are generally 3–4 m high.
- The walls are used strategically as a second contact surface after the ball bounces.
On padel courts, the surface is most often built on sand-filled artificial turf. This structure is ideal for both grip and sliding comfort, and it is one of the most preferred solutions from professional venues to commercial clubs.
Racket, Ball and Required Equipment
The padel racket is different from a tennis racket: it has no strings, is perforated and has a shorter frame. Rackets are made from impact-resistant composite materials and are classified according to their control-power balance.
- The balls are similar to tennis balls but have lower internal pressure, providing a slower and more controllable bounce.
- Players wear sports clothing, court-appropriate shoes and, for safety, may optionally use protective equipment such as goggles or helmets.
Number of Players and Match Format
According to the official rules, padel is defined primarily as a doubles game, meaning there are 4 players on court at the same time. Narrower courts (6×20 m) for singles are possible, but almost all league and tournament formats are built around doubles.
- The most common match format: best of 3 sets (the team that wins 2 sets wins the match).
- For beginners, single-set or time-limited formats are often preferred in training sessions and recreational events.
Service Rules and Start of Play
Each game starts with a serve, and throughout the game, serves are taken alternately by the two players of the serving team. Unlike tennis, the serve must be played from below, at or below waist level, not over the shoulder.
- The server first bounces the ball on their own side of the court, then hits it diagonally into the opposite service box.
- After the ball bounces in the service box, it may hit the side or back wall; in that case, the rally continues as normal.
- If the serve is faulty (hits the net or fails to land in the service box), the server has a second attempt; two consecutive faults result in the point being awarded to the opponents.
Scoring System
Padel uses exactly the same scoring system as tennis: within a game, points are called 15–30–40–game, and a game must be won by at least two clear points.
- To win a set, a team usually needs to win 6 games with at least a 2-game margin (for example, 6–4).
- If the score reaches 6–6, a tie-break to 7 points is played in most tournaments (again with at least a 2-point margin).
- In professional competitions, a “golden point” system may be used at 40–40; in this case, the next point directly decides the game.
Use of the Walls and Ball In/Out of Play
The most important feature that distinguishes padel from other racket sports is that the walls are an active part of the game. The ball must first bounce on the court and may then hit the glass or metal walls, with the rally continuing.
- Once a team has played the ball into the opponents’ side, if the ball bounces twice on the opponents’ court, that team wins the point.
- If the ball hits the wall on the opponents’ side without first bouncing on the court, or is hit out of the court, the point goes to the opposing team.
- As soon as the ball bounces on the court, it is in play, including on the lines; the rally ends when the ball goes completely out of the playing area or after the second bounce.
Faults, Obstruction and Referee Decisions
Losing a point does not only come from hitting the ball out; infringements related to the player’s racket and body movements can also result in losing the point.
- If a player touches the net, the opponents’ side of the court or an opponent while the rally is in progress, they lose the point.
- If the same player hits the ball twice in succession, or if the ball touches the body or any non-racket equipment, this is considered an infringement.
- Unsporting behaviour, abuse of the ball or racket (hitting it excessively against the ground, throwing it towards the referee or spectators, etc.) may lead to a warning, point penalty or even disqualification.
Frequently Asked Questions About Padel Rules
Question 1: Is padel a type of tennis, or is it a completely different sport?
Padel is very similar to tennis in terms of scoring and the doubles format, but with the use of walls, a smaller court, underarm serve and a specific racket-and-ball combination, it has a completely unique playing culture. You can think of it roughly as a “mix of tennis and squash”.
Question 2: Is padel always played in doubles?
According to the official rules, padel is defined primarily as a doubles sport and all professional competitions are played in doubles. Singles courts and singles matches are mostly used for training and fun; they are not the standard format for official tournaments.
Question 3: I want to build a padel court. What surface should I use?
According to international standards, a padel court can be built on hard bases such as concrete or acrylic, but in practice, sand-filled artificial turf is by far the most commonly preferred option. This structure offers an optimal balance in terms of player safety and maintenance costs.
Question 4: Is the scoring system confusing for beginners?
If you are familiar with tennis, you will adapt very quickly because the padel scoring system is exactly the same: 15–30–40–game, the set is won by the first team to reach 6 games, and at 6–6 a tie-break is played. Even for those who are new to tennis, score calling usually becomes automatic after just a few matches.