How does the serve work in padel?

The server must stand behind the service line and bounce the ball on the ground before striking it at or below hip/waist level. The ball must cross the net and land in the diagonally opposite service box. The serve is underhand — overhand serves are not allowed.

What is the golden point (star point) in padel?

The golden point (officially called the Star Point since January 2026) is an optional deuce rule. Instead of playing advantage games at deuce, the receiving team chooses which side to receive from and a single decisive point is played. It is one of three official deuce options and must be agreed before the match.

Can the ball hit the walls in padel?

Yes. After the ball bounces on the ground in your half of the court, it may rebound off any wall and you can still play it. You can also play the ball off your own side or back walls as part of a shot. However, the ball must bounce on the ground first before hitting a wall on the opponent's side after crossing the net.

What is a fault and what is a let in padel?

A fault is a failed serve — for example if the ball lands outside the service box or is struck above waist height. Two consecutive faults give the point to the receiver. A let is a serve that touches the net and still lands in the correct service box; the serve is replayed without penalty.

How many sets are played in a padel match?

Most padel matches are played as best of three sets. Each set is won by the first team to reach 6 games with a minimum two-game lead. A tie-break at 6-6 decides the set. In some professional or tournament formats, a match tie-break (first to 10 points) may replace the third set.

What is out-of-court play in padel?

Out-of-court play (also called exit play) allows a player to leave the court through a gate or opening to retrieve a ball that has gone outside the enclosure. The player may play the ball from outside the court and the point continues. This rule is a distinctive feature of padel not found in tennis.

What are the official padel court dimensions?

An official FIP padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, enclosed by walls and fencing. The net is 88 cm high at the posts and 92 cm high at the centre. The service boxes are each 6.95 metres long. The playing surface can be artificial grass, concrete, or other approved materials.

What equipment is required to play padel?

Players need a padel racket (a solid, perforated bat without strings, maximum 45.5 cm long), a padel ball (similar to a tennis ball but with slightly less pressure), and appropriate court shoes. A wrist strap connecting the racket to the wrist is mandatory during play to prevent the racket from flying off.

Padel Rules FAQ — Most Common Questions Answered

Q: What is the scoring system in padel?

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis: points go 15, 30, 40, and game. A set is won by the first team to reach 6 games with at least a 2-game lead. If the set reaches 6-6 a tie-break is played. Matches are typically best of three sets.

Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world, but its rules can be confusing at first — especially the wall play, the serve, and the scoring options. Below are answers to the questions players ask most often.

Scoring

What is the scoring system in padel?

Padel uses the same point progression as tennis: 15, 30, 40, and game. A set is won by the first team to reach 6 games with a minimum two-game advantage. At 6-6 a tie-break is played (first to 7 points, win by 2). Matches are normally best of three sets.

What happens at deuce?

When a game is tied at 40-40 (“deuce”), there are three official options — all must be agreed before the match:

Advantage mode — classic tennis deuce, must win two consecutive points.
Star Point mode (since January 2026) — a structured sequence of deuce levels before a decisive golden point.
Golden point — a single decisive point is played immediately at first deuce, with the receiving team choosing the service side.

The Serve

How does the serve work?

The server bounces the ball on the ground within their service half, then strikes it at or below hip/waist level. The ball must pass the net and land in the diagonally opposite service box. Overhand serves are not permitted. Two consecutive faults lose the point.

What is a service let?

If the served ball clips the net and still lands in the correct service box it is a let — the serve is replayed. There is no limit to the number of lets in a row.

Wall Play

Can the ball hit the walls?

Yes — wall play is one of padel’s defining features. After the ball bounces once on your side of the court, it may rebound off any wall and remain in play. Players can also deliberately play shots into the side or back walls on their own side. The ball must always bounce on the floor before hitting a wall on the receiving team’s side after crossing the net.

What is out-of-court play?

Players may exit through the court gates to retrieve a ball that has left the enclosure and continue playing the point from outside. This “exit play” rule makes padel unique and allows spectacular defensive shots.

Faults and Lets

What is a fault?

A service fault occurs when the serve lands outside the service box, the ball is struck above waist height, the server’s feet cross the service line before contact, or the ball bounces in the wrong service half. Two consecutive faults on the same point give the point to the receiving team.

What is a let?

A let is a valid interruption that requires a point or serve to be replayed. The most common let is a served ball that touches the net cord before landing correctly in the service box.

Match Format

How many sets are in a padel match?

Standard padel matches are best of three sets. Some formats replace the third set with a match tie-break (first to 10 points, win by 2).

Court and Equipment

What are the court dimensions?

Length: 20 m · Width: 10 m
Net height: 88 cm at posts, 92 cm at centre
Service box length: 6.95 m each
Walls must be between 3 m and 4 m high; fencing above that height

What equipment is required?

Racket: Solid perforated bat, max 45.5 cm total length, no strings
Ball: Padel-specific ball (ITF or FIP approved)
Wrist strap: Mandatory — must attach the racket to the player’s wrist at all times during play
Footwear: Non-marking court shoes recommended