No. Pickleball and padel are different sports with unique courts, gear, and rules.
If you have ever asked, is pickleball the same as padel, you are not alone. I play and coach both, and I see players mix them up all the time. This guide breaks down each sport in plain language. We will answer is pickleball the same as padel with facts, friendly tips, and on-court lessons you can use today.
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Key differences at a glance
If you came here wondering is pickleball the same as padel, here is the short list of what sets them apart.
- Courts are not the same. Padel is played in a glass and mesh box. Pickleball is open-air on a smaller court.
- Equipment differs. Pickleball uses a solid paddle and a plastic ball with holes. Padel uses a foam-core racket with holes and a pressurized ball.
- Walls matter. In padel, the ball can bounce off the walls. In pickleball, walls are out.
- Scoring and serving vary. Pickleball uses underhand serves and side-out scoring in most play. Padel uses tennis-style scoring and two serve attempts.
- Doubles vs singles. Padel is almost always doubles. Pickleball has both singles and doubles on the same court.
From court size to ball bounce, is pickleball the same as padel is a clear no. The details below show why that matters when you choose what to play.
What each sport is
Is pickleball the same as padel? No, and it starts with how each game was built and played.
What is pickleball
Pickleball blends parts of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. The court is 20 by 44 feet. There is a 7-foot non-volley zone near the net that most players call the kitchen. The ball is a light plastic ball with holes. Paddles are solid, with no strings. Serves are underhand, and the two-bounce rule means each side must let the ball bounce once after the serve before volleys begin. Most games go to 11, win by 2, using side-out scoring.
What is padel
Padel is a racket sport born in Mexico and huge in Spain and across Europe. The court is 10 by 20 meters and fully enclosed. The walls are part of the game. The racket is solid with holes and a foam core. The ball looks like a tennis ball but has lower pressure. Serves are underhand after a bounce. Scoring uses tennis points and sets. It is mainly doubles, so teamwork and court coverage are key.
Courts, gear, and balls: side-by-side specs
Players often search is pickleball the same as padel after they see the courts. They look nothing alike up close.
- Court size
- Pickleball: 20 x 44 ft. Net is 36 inches at posts, 34 at center.
- Padel: 32.8 x 65.6 ft. Glass and mesh walls. Net is about 34.6 inches at center.
- Non-volley zones
- Pickleball: 7-foot kitchen on each side. No volley in this area.
- Padel: No kitchen. Net play is free, but walls change angles and pace.
- Equipment
- Pickleball paddle: Composite face, solid core, 7–8.5 oz for most. No strings.
- Padel racket: Foam core with carbon or fiberglass face, holes in the face, wrist strap.
- Balls
- Pickleball ball: Plastic with holes. Indoor and outdoor types.
- Padel ball: Pressurized felt ball, like tennis but with slightly less pressure.
- Play surfaces
- Pickleball: Hard court, often on repurposed tennis courts.
- Padel: Synthetic turf with sand, inside the walled court.
These specs alone make it clear that is pickleball the same as padel is not true. Each setup shapes how the game feels and plays.
How gameplay feels: pace, strategy, and skill
When you step on court, is pickleball the same as padel falls apart fast. The pace and decisions differ.
- Rally rhythm
- Pickleball: Short, sharp points at the kitchen. Dinks, fast hands, and quick resets.
- Padel: Longer rallies. Use the glass to buy time and set traps.
- Shot mix
- Pickleball: Third-shot drops, speed-ups, blocks, and counter punches.
- Padel: Lobs, bandejas, viboras, and chiquitas to move teams out of position.
- Positioning
- Pickleball: Get to the kitchen line and hold it.
- Padel: Take the net, but read walls and adjust depth on defense.
- Footwork
- Pickleball: Small split steps, short sprints, and balanced stops.
- Padel: Deeper movement, more side steps, and turns to play glass rebounds.
I coach both. In my first padel match after years of pickleball, I overhit every high ball. I swung like a tennis smash. The ball kicked off the glass and came right back to my feet. Lesson learned: in padel, control and spin beat raw power.
Rules that change everything
If you ask is pickleball the same as padel, rules make the split clear.
- Serving
- Pickleball: Underhand, contact below the waist, cross-court. One attempt. Drop serve is legal. No walls allowed.
- Padel: Ball must bounce before contact, hit at or below waist height. Two attempts, like tennis. The ball may hit the side wall after a legal bounce in the box.
- Bounce rules
- Pickleball: Two-bounce rule after the serve. Then volleys are allowed anywhere outside the kitchen.
- Padel: Ball can bounce off walls after it hits the ground. You can play your own wall too.
- Scoring
- Pickleball: Standard play uses side-out scoring to 11, win by 2. Some leagues use rally scoring, but not all.
- Padel: Tennis scoring with games, sets, and tiebreaks.
- Faults
- Pickleball: Foot faults in the kitchen on volleys, serve faults, and out balls.
- Padel: Serve faults, double bounces, and balls hit into the mesh before bouncing.
These rule sets ensure is pickleball the same as padel cannot be true in match play.
Cost, space, and access
Is pickleball the same as padel in cost and access? Not even close.
- Court access
- Pickleball: Easy to find in parks, clubs, and gyms across the U.S.
- Padel: Growing fast in Europe, the Middle East, and now big U.S. cities.
- Build costs
- Pickleball: Low. Many cities paint lines on tennis courts.
- Padel: High. You need glass, steel, turf, and space.
- Gear prices
- Pickleball: Good paddles start around $60–$150. Balls are cheap.
- Padel: Quality rackets range $100–$300. Balls cost a bit more per can.
- Growth
- Pickleball: Millions of U.S. players and strong year-over-year growth.
- Padel: 25+ million global players and rapid club expansion in many countries.
If your town has both, you are lucky. If not, this may be the biggest factor when you ask, is pickleball the same as padel for access and budget.
Which one should you play
Is pickleball the same as padel in skill fit? Think about your goals and body.
Pickleball might be for you if:
- You like quick points and net duels.
- You want easy entry with simple gear and rules.
- You prefer less running and shorter rallies.
Padel might be for you if:
- You love teamwork and longer rallies.
- You want to use walls and creative angles.
- You enjoy lobs, overheads, and smart defense.
If you still wonder, is pickleball the same as padel for fun and fitness, try both for a month. Your smile will pick the winner.
Switching between sports: tips, drills, and common mistakes
Many players ask is pickleball the same as padel when they switch. Use these drills to ease the jump.
If you play pickleball and want to try padel:
- Learn the walls. Let deep balls hit the glass. Then hit a calm reset.
- Use a continental grip for volleys and overheads.
- Aim deep middle on defense. Take the net with patient lobs.
- Practice the bandeja. Think controlled slice, not a smash.
If you play padel and want to try pickleball:
- Respect the kitchen. Do not volley in it.
- Master the third-shot drop. Soft is your friend.
- Counter speed-ups with a calm block to the feet.
- Serve simple. Underhand, below the waist, and deep.
Big mistake to avoid on both sides: overhitting. When I switched back to pickleball, my padel smash swing sent balls long. I slowed down, aimed lower, and my control came back. That small change answered is pickleball the same as padel in real time for me.
Injury risk and fitness benefits
You might ask, is pickleball the same as padel for health? Both are joint-friendly compared to tennis, but each has risks.
- Common injuries
- Pickleball: Ankle sprains, calf strains, and elbow pain from fast hands and stops.
- Padel: Shoulder overload, knee tweaks, and wrist strains from overheads and wall work.
- How to prevent
- Warm up for 5–8 minutes. Add calf and shoulder prep.
- Wear grippy court shoes. Replace worn soles.
- Use proper grip size. Overgrip to avoid squeezing too hard.
- Build strength in legs, core, and shoulders 2 times a week.
- Fitness gains
- Pickleball: Great for balance, reflexes, and short bursts.
- Padel: Great for cardio, footwork, and rotational strength.
I track heart rate in both. My padel rallies run longer on average. My pickleball peaks are higher at the kitchen. That mix is why I play both, even though is pickleball the same as padel is never true on paper.
Frequently Asked Questions of is pickleball the same as padel
Is pickleball the same as padel?
No. The courts, gear, scoring, and use of walls are different. You can love both, but they are not the same sport.
Which is easier for beginners?
Pickleball is often easier at first due to the small court and simple rules. Padel is beginner-friendly too, but the walls take practice.
Can I use a padel racket for pickleball?
No. Pickleball paddles and padel rackets are built for different balls and rules. Use the right tool for safety and control.
Is pickleball the same as padel in scoring?
No. Pickleball uses side-out scoring to 11 in most play. Padel uses tennis-style scoring with games and sets.
Which burns more calories, pickleball or padel?
It depends on your pace and level. Padel often has longer rallies, while pickleball has sharp bursts at the net.
Can I play padel singles like pickleball?
You can, but most padel courts are built for doubles and play best that way. Singles exists, yet it is less common.
Is pickleball the same as padel in equipment cost?
Not really. Pickleball gear is usually cheaper and more available. Padel rackets and balls can cost more, and courts are rarer in some areas.
Conclusion
Is pickleball the same as padel? No, and that is the best news. You get two fun sports with different vibes, skills, and communities. Pickleball gives you fast hands, clean drops, and quick wins. Padel gives you smart lobs, wall reads, and long rallies.
Try both for a few weeks. Track what makes you smile and where you improve. Then pick your main sport, or enjoy the mix. Want more tips and drills? Subscribe, share your questions in the comments, and tell me which one you tried first.