Is your pickleball done? Test it.
BallCheck compares your ball with a new one on acrylic, concrete, sport tiles or indoor wood, and with the USA Pickleball 78 in drop test.
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What to do with each ball.
A pickleball is hollow plastic with holes, so there is no pressure to restore and a pressurizer does nothing. Check for cracks too, especially with hard outdoor balls in cold weather.
Demo with sample balls. Test a real one in the free web version.
Keep
Bounces like new. Keep it for games.
Practice ball
Going soft. Fine for drills, not for matches.
Retire
Cracked, soft or bouncing well below a new ball.
What the official test says.
USA Pickleball drops the ball from 78 in (198.1 cm) onto a granite plate at 70 °F, and measures the bounce to the top of the ball.
| Measure | USA Pickleball standard |
|---|---|
| Bounce from 78 in | 30 to 34 in (76.2 to 86.4 cm) |
| Size | 2.87 to 2.97 in (7.29 to 7.54 cm) |
| Weight | 0.78 to 0.935 oz (22.1 to 26.5 g) |
| Holes | 26 to 40 round holes |
| Test temperature | 70 °F, plus or minus 5 °F |
Outdoor balls usually have about 40 smaller holes and are harder. Indoor balls usually have about 26 larger holes and are softer.
Source: USA Pickleball Equipment Standards Manual
Every court you play on.
Drop on the same spot each time, away from wood seams and tile joints.
- Outdoor hard court (acrylic)
- Cushioned acrylic
- Indoor gym (wood)
- Sport tiles
- Bare concrete or asphalt, closest to the official test
Pickleball guides.
All guidesHow 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 BallCheckHow BallCheck measures bounce from sound
The physics behind BallCheck: timing each bounce by sound to work out the coefficient of restitution (COR), and how it is compared with a new ball.
Read the guideQuestions
How do you know when a pickleball is dead?
Look for cracks, soft spots and a ball that is no longer round, then check the bounce. A new ball dropped from 78 in should bounce 30 to 34 in. BallCheck compares the bounce with a new ball on your court.
How many games does a pickleball last?
It depends on the ball, the court and the weather. One independent test of a single outdoor ball measured about 10% stiffness loss per hour of play and a usable life of about 4 to 8 games at tournament level. Treat that as a rough guide, not a rule.
Do pickleballs lose pressure?
No. A pickleball is hollow plastic with 26 to 40 holes, so there is no pressure inside to lose. Pickleballs wear out by going soft, cracking or losing their round shape.
Why do pickleballs crack in the cold?
Hard outdoor balls get brittle in the cold. One retailer guide says they crack below about 40 °F. Keep balls warm before play and check them for cracks.
Be first on court.
One email on launch day. Nothing else.