Padel balls vs tennis balls: the real differences
Padel and tennis balls weigh the same and are tested with the same 2.54 m drop, but a padel ball is slightly smaller and must bounce a little lower: 135 to 145 cm, against 135 to 147 cm for a standard tennis ball. Using tennis balls for padel makes the game faster and bouncier off the glass.
Side by side
| Padel ball (FIP) | Tennis ball, Type 2 (ITF) | |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 6.35 to 6.77 cm | 6.54 to 6.86 cm |
| Weight | 56.0 to 59.4 g | 56.0 to 59.4 g |
| Drop height in the test | 2.54 m | 2.54 m |
| Rebound | 135 to 145 cm | 135 to 147 cm |
| High altitude rebound | 121.92 to 135 cm | 122 to 135 cm |
| Durability limit after 9 simulated games | 4.0 cm change | 4.0 cm change |
What the difference feels like
The smaller size and lower bounce limit make padel balls a touch slower. In a game played off glass walls, that matters: a ball that bounces too much flies off the back glass and makes rallies harder to control.
Many sites say padel balls have lower internal pressure than tennis balls. That may be true, but we found no official or manufacturer figure for it.
Can you use tennis balls for padel?
For a casual hit, yes. For matches, use padel balls: the rules require approved padel balls, and tennis balls play noticeably faster in an enclosed court.
Checking either one
BallCheck has separate profiles for tennis and padel balls and for each court type, so it compares your ball with a new ball of the same kind on the same surface.
Questions
Are padel balls pressurised?
Yes, most are, like tennis balls. Pressureless padel balls are also allowed.
Why do padel balls go flat quickly?
Long rallies, glass walls and a sand filled floor are hard on balls. Once the can is opened they lose pressure like tennis balls.
Sources
More guides
How to tell if a padel ball is dead
How the official padel ball test works, the 135 to 145 cm rebound rule, and simple ways to check your padel balls at the court.
Read the guide TennisHow to tell if a tennis ball is dead
Four ways to check if a tennis ball is dead, from the official 100 inch drop test to a squeeze test, and what the numbers mean.
Read the guide PickleballHow to tell if a pickleball is worn out
The official pickleball bounce test (30 to 34 in from 78 in), the signs of a worn ball, and how many games a pickleball lasts.
Read the guide