Padel Ball Pressure and Bounce
Also known as: tennis balls for padel, padel ball vs tennis ball, padel balls vs tennis balls, padel ball pressure, padel ball size, altitude padel balls, high altitude padel ball, padel ball psi, what pressure is a padel ball
Use padel balls, not tennis balls. They look alike, but a padel ball is pressurised lower and is slightly smaller, so it bounces lower and plays slower. FIP rules set its internal pressure at 4.6 to 5.2 kg per square inch, about 10 to 11.5 psi. A new tennis ball is about 14 psi. FIP rules also allow a lower-bounce ball for play more than 1,000 m above sea level.
FIP rules describe a rubber ball that is white, yellow or another colour that contrasts clearly with the court. It must measure 6.35 to 6.77 cm across and weigh 56.0 to 59.4 g. Dropped from 2.54 m onto a hard surface, a new ball must bounce between 135 and 145 cm. Its internal pressure must be between 4.6 and 5.2 kg per square inch. The rule writes the area as "2.54 square cm", meaning a square 2.54 cm (one inch) on each side. That works out to about 10 to 11.5 psi.
According to the LTA, padel and tennis balls weigh the same in competition. A new padel ball, though, is pressurised to about 11 psi, against 14 psi for a tennis ball. A tennis ball is also slightly bigger, at 6.54 to 6.86 cm. The lower pressure changes the bounce, and the LTA does not recommend playing padel with tennis balls.
Conditions change how a ball plays. Above 1,000 m, the rules allow a different ball that bounces lower, between about 122 and 135 cm. Temperature matters too: a warm ball bounces more and a cold one less. Balls also lose pressure with use and slowly go flat. In competitions, organisers announce the ball brand, how many balls are used (two or three) and when they are changed.
Tips by skill level
Buy balls labelled for padel. When they start to feel dead and bounce low, open a new tube.
Check the ball type before a tournament, including altitude balls at high venues. Warm up with the match balls to judge their bounce off the glass.
Example
A group borrows tennis balls for a casual game, and the ball keeps flying off the glass. They open a tube of padel balls, and the rallies settle down.
Why it matters
The right ball makes the game play as it should. Knowing how balls react to heat, cold and altitude helps you adjust.
Common mistakes
- Playing padel with tennis balls
- Using old balls that have gone flat
- Ignoring how heat and cold change the bounce
Frequently asked questions
Can I use tennis balls for padel?
It isn't recommended. A new tennis ball has higher pressure, about 14 psi against 11 psi for a padel ball. As a result, it bounces differently from the ball padel is designed for.
What is the difference between a padel ball and a tennis ball?
They weigh the same, but a padel ball has lower internal pressure and is slightly smaller. That gives it a lower, slower bounce.
What are altitude padel balls?
FIP rules allow a different ball for play more than 1,000 m above sea level. It must bounce between about 122 and 135 cm, lower than a standard ball's 135 to 145 cm.
How high should a padel ball bounce?
Under FIP rules, a new ball dropped from 2.54 m onto a hard surface should bounce 135 to 145 cm.
What pressure should a padel ball be?
FIP rules set the internal pressure at 4.6 to 5.2 kg per square inch, about 10 to 11.5 psi. A new tennis ball is about 14 psi, according to the LTA.
Sources
- International Padel Federation (FIP) Rules of Padel, review of application 01.01.2026 — The Ball, items 1–4 (colour, size, weight, bounce, internal pressure 4.6–5.2 kg per 2.54 square cm, altitude ball), printed p. 9; Rule 17 (Change of Balls), p. 19
- LTA Padel — Padel FAQs (padel vs tennis balls: 11 psi vs 14 psi, diameters, weight; tennis balls not recommended)
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL) — Measurement at Home: Report on Temperature Bounce (temperature and bounce; pressurised balls go flat as gas leaks)
Related terms
- Playing Padel in Hot WeatherIn the heat, the padel ball bounces higher and plays faster. Choose control over power, keep your lobs deep and give balls off the back glass extra room. Drink at regular intervals, wear sun protection and play early or late in the day when you can. If you feel dizzy, unwell or unusually tired, stop and rest in the shade, and get medical help if you don't feel better soon.
- Playing Padel in Cold WeatherCold weather makes the padel ball bounce lower and play slower. Smashes are less likely to leave the court, and balls die sooner after they hit the back glass. Stand a little closer to the glass, bend your knees for low balls, and use more volleys, bandejas and víboras than big smashes.
- Choosing a Padel RacketFor a first padel racket, many coaches suggest a round shape with a low balance and a soft foam core. It is easier to control and more forgiving on off-center hits. Move to a teardrop or diamond shape, or a firmer core, once your strokes are reliable.
- Switching from Tennis to PadelTennis players adapt to padel quickly, but a few habits need to change. Serve underarm after a bounce, let balls come off the glass instead of rushing them, and keep your swing compact. Win points by holding the net and lobbing well, not by hitting harder.
Related guides & benchmarks
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