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Padel and pickleball are two of the fastest-growing racket sports, but they are often confused by people discovering them for the first time. Both are social, accessible and usually played with compact rackets or paddles. However, the similarities largely stop there. The main difference between padel and pickleball is the playing environment. Padel is played inside an enclosed court where the walls form part of the game. Pickleball is played on an open court with a non-volley zone near the net. The equipment, ball, rules and rhythm of each sport are also very different. This guide explains the seven key differences in the padel vs pickleball comparison and helps you decide which one suits you best. Padel vs Pickleball: Quick Comparison Feature Padel Pickleball Court Enclosed 20 × 10 metre court Open 20 × 44 foot court Walls Part of the game Not used Equipment Solid perforated padel racket Solid pickleball paddle Ball Lower-pressure tennis-style ball Perforated plastic ball Format Usually doubles Singles or doubles Scoring Typically tennis-style scoring Numbered point system Signature element Playing rebounds from the walls The non-volley zone or “Kitchen” 1. The Courts Are Completely Different The court is the biggest visual difference between padel and pickleball. An official padel court measures 20 metres long and 10 metres wide. It is surrounded by glass and mesh walls, and those walls remain active during a rally. A ball can bounce on the court and rebound from the wall before being returned. That makes padel feel like a combination of tennis, squash and its own unique tactical system. Players must understand angles and predict how the ball will move after hitting the glass. The International Padel Federation defines the official dimensions and construction of the padel court. A pickleball court measures 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for both singles and doubles. Unlike padel, it is open and has no playable walls. Pickleball also includes a seven-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net, commonly called the Kitchen. Players cannot volley the ball while standing inside this area. The official dimensions are explained by USA Pickleball. 2. Padel Rackets and Pickleball Paddles Are Not the Same Neither sport uses a traditional stringed tennis racket. A padel racket has a short handle and a solid face containing multiple circular holes. It is usually thicker than a pickleball paddle and designed to handle the speed and rebounds of an enclosed court. A pickleball paddle has a longer, flatter face without strings or padel-style holes. It is used to strike a lightweight plastic ball and is commonly made from composite materials. Using the correct terminology also matters: Padel uses a racket. Pickleball uses a paddle. Tennis uses a stringed racket. The three pieces of equipment may belong to the same racket-sport family, but they are not interchangeable. 3. They Use Very Different Balls A padel ball resembles a tennis ball, although it has lower internal pressure. This creates a slightly slower and more controlled bounce suited to the enclosed court. A pickleball ball is lightweight, made from hard plastic and covered with holes. Its flight feels completely different from a tennis or padel ball. The plastic construction gives pickleball its distinctive sound and makes placement, spin and wind conditions important parts of the game. This difference alone changes the entire rhythm of pickleball vs padel. Padel produces longer, flowing rallies built around rebounds, while pickleball often creates compact exchanges based on control, positioning and fast reactions. 4. Both Use Underhand Serves—but Differently Both sports begin points with an underhand-style serve, but the serving techniques are not identical. In padel, the player first bounces the ball behind the service line and strikes it at or below waist height. The serve travels diagonally into the opponent’s service box. Pickleball allows specific underhand serving methods under its official rules, including the volley serve and drop serve. The serve is also directed diagonally into the opposite service area. For beginners, serving in both sports can feel more accessible than an overhead tennis serve. However, accuracy and placement become increasingly important as the level rises. 5. Padel Uses Tennis-Style Scoring Padel typically follows the familiar tennis scoring structure: 15 30 40 Game Set Match Competition and club formats can vary, but tennis players will generally recognize the scoring immediately. Pickleball uses numbered points and its own serving and rotation system rather than the traditional 15, 30 and 40 structure. The exact format may differ between recreational play and competition, so new players should always confirm the local rules before starting a match. 6. Padel Is Usually Doubles Padel is designed primarily as a doubles sport. Four players share the enclosed court, making teamwork, positioning and communication essential. Singles padel exists, but it is less common and normally requires a narrower court. Pickleball can be played comfortably as either singles or doubles on the same court dimensions. Doubles pickleball emphasizes patience, placement and coordinated movement near the Kitchen. Singles requires more court coverage and can become considerably more physical. 7. The Playing Styles Feel Completely Different Padel is built around movement, angles and recovery. A shot that passes a player is not necessarily lost because it may rebound from the back wall and return to a playable position. Good padel players learn when to attack, when to let the ball reach the glass and how to move together as a pair. Pickleball is more compact. Players frequently compete for control near the Kitchen line using soft shots, quick volleys and sudden changes of speed. In simple terms: Padel rewards understanding of space and wall rebounds. Pickleball rewards placement, patience and fast hands. Both become highly tactical at competitive levels. Is Padel or Pickleball Easier for Beginners? Pickleball is often easier during the first session because the court is smaller, the paddle is light and there are no walls to understand. Padel can feel immediately familiar to people with experience in tennis or squash. However, learning when and how to use the glass requires time. This does not mean pickleball remains easier at higher levels. As players improve, control around the Kitchen, shot selection and reaction speed become increasingly demanding. The best beginner sport depends on your background, physical preferences and the facilities available near you. Which Sport Should You Choose? Choose padel if you enjoy: Longer rallies and dynamic movement Playing as part of a doubles team Using angles and wall rebounds A social racket-club atmosphere A game that feels related to both tennis and squash Choose pickleball if you enjoy: Compact and tactical rallies Quick hands and precise placement Playing either singles or doubles A sport that is easy to start Social open-play sessions and court rotation The most honest answer is to try both. Padel and pickleball offer different experiences, and many racket-sport players enjoy moving between them. Two Sports, One Racket Culture Padel and pickleball are not competing versions of the same game. Each has its own rules, equipment, rhythm and community. What connects them is the culture surrounding the court: the matches, friendships, rivalries and rituals that continue long after the final point. That shared culture is what RACQORA represents—racket sports worn beyond the court. Explore the RACQORA Padel Collection Explore the RACQORA Pickleball Collection Replace the links if your Fourthwall collection URLs use different slugs. Frequently Asked Questions Is padel the same as pickleball? No. Padel uses an enclosed court with playable walls, a perforated racket and a lower-pressure tennis-style ball. Pickleball uses an open court, a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball. Which court is bigger: padel or pickleball? A standard padel court is larger. It measures 20 × 10 metres, while a pickleball court measures 20 × 44 feet, approximately 6.1 × 13.4 metres. Can you use a pickleball paddle for padel? No. The two sports require different equipment. Padel rackets are thicker and perforated, while pickleball paddles have a flat, solid face. Which sport is more similar to tennis? Padel is generally closer to tennis in its ball, net structure and traditional scoring. However, its playable walls create a distinct style of movement and strategy. Is padel harder than pickleball? Neither sport is universally harder. Pickleball may be easier during the first session, while padel requires beginners to learn wall rebounds. Both become technically and tactically demanding at advanced levels.