Padel Rules & Scoring
Essential Rules
Understanding these fundamental rules will help you play padel correctly and confidently
Court & Equipment
- Court is 20m x 10m, enclosed by walls and mesh
- Net height: 0.88m at center, 0.92m at posts
- Rackets are solid (no strings) with holes
- Balls are similar to tennis balls but with less pressure
Serving Rules
- Serve underhand below waist level
- Ball must bounce once before hitting
- Serve diagonally to opponent's service box
- Ball can hit side wall after bouncing in service box
Playing Rules
- Ball can only bounce once on your side
- You can use walls on your side after ball bounces
- Ball must go over net before hitting opponent's walls
- Maximum one bounce on opponent's side
Scoring System
- Same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game
- Best of 3 sets (first to 6 games)
- Tiebreak at 6-6 (first to 7 points)
- Must win by 2 games/points
Court Layout
Understanding the padel court dimensions and layout
Court Specifications
Court Dimensions
- • Length: 20 meters (65.6 feet)
- • Width: 10 meters (32.8 feet)
- • Total Area: 200 square meters
Net & Service
- • Net Height: 0.88m center, 0.92m posts
- • Service Box: 5m x 5m each side
- • Service Line: 3m from net
Walls & Structure
- • Back Wall: 3-4 meters high
- • Side Walls: 3m high, then mesh to 4m
- • Material: Glass or concrete walls
Official Padel Court Layout
Scoring System
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis
Points
0 points = 0
1 point = 15
2 points = 30
3 points = 40
4 points = Game
Games
First to 6 games wins set
Must win by 2 games
Tiebreak at 6-6
First to 7 points in tiebreak
Match
Best of 3 sets
First to win 2 sets
Some tournaments use best of 5
Golden point rule may apply
Rules FAQ
Common questions about padel rules and regulations
Can the ball hit the wall on the full?
No, the ball must bounce on the ground first before hitting any wall. If it hits the wall directly from your racket, it's a fault.
What happens if the ball hits the mesh?
If the ball hits the mesh (wire fencing), it's considered out and the point goes to your opponent.
Can I volley the ball?
Yes, you can hit the ball before it bounces (volley), but you cannot volley the serve - it must bounce first.
What is the "golden point" rule?
In some tournaments, when the score reaches deuce (40-40), the next point wins the game instead of requiring a 2-point advantage.