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No, padel is not the same as pickleball. Padel is played on a smaller enclosed court with glass walls that are part of play, using a solid, perforated racket and a low-pressure tennis-style ball, with tennis scoring. Pickleball is played on an open court the size of a badminton court, with a solid paddle, a plastic ball with holes, a 7-foot no-volley "kitchen" and games to 11. Both are mostly doubles, both have underhand serves, and both are much easier to start than tennis.
| Pickleball | Padel | |
|---|---|---|
| Court | 20 × 44 ft, open | About 33 × 66 ft (10 × 20 m), enclosed by glass and mesh walls |
| Walls | None | Part of play: balls can come off the glass |
| Racket | Solid paddle, no holes | Solid, perforated racket with a strap |
| Ball | Plastic ball with holes | Like a tennis ball, slightly less pressure |
| Serve | Underhand, diagonal | Underhand after a bounce, at or below the waist |
| Scoring | Games to 11, win by 2 | Tennis scoring: 15, 30, 40, games and sets |
| Special rule | Kitchen (no volleys within 7 ft of the net) | Ball may hit your walls after bouncing |
| Where to play | Parks, rec centers, gyms: everywhere | Mostly private padel clubs, growing fast |
Which is easier to learn?
Pickleball is easier on day one: a smaller court, a slow plastic ball and short rallies right away. Padel is also beginner-friendly, since the walls keep the ball in play, but reading balls off the glass takes a few sessions. Former tennis and squash players tend to pick up padel fast.
Is padel growing in the U.S.?
Yes, from a small base. Google search interest in padel has risen every year since 2021, and new padel clubs are opening in big cities, especially in Florida, Texas and the Northeast. Pickleball is still far bigger in the U.S., and it hit a new high in search interest in 2026.
Which should you play?
- Pickleball if you want free courts nearby, quick games with strangers at open play, and the biggest community.
- Padel if there's a club near you and you like tennis or squash, or longer, faster rallies.
- Both, honestly. They share the same social, doubles-first feel.
New to pickleball? Start with the rules and open play.
Common questions
Is padel the same as pickleball?
No. Padel uses an enclosed court with walls that are part of play, a perforated racket, a tennis-style ball and tennis scoring. Pickleball uses an open court, a solid paddle, a plastic ball with holes, a no-volley kitchen and games to 11.
Which is easier, padel or pickleball?
Pickleball is usually easier on the first day. Padel is also beginner-friendly, but learning to play balls off the walls takes a few sessions.
Can you play padel with a pickleball paddle?
No. Padel uses its own perforated racket and a pressurized ball, and padel courts have walls. The equipment isn't interchangeable.
Is padel growing in the US?
Yes, from a small base. U.S. search interest in padel has grown every year since 2021, and new padel clubs are opening in major cities.