Indoor vs Outdoor Pickleballs
Also known as: indoor vs outdoor pickleball, indoor vs outdoor pickleballs, indoor pickleball ball, outdoor pickleball ball, difference between indoor and outdoor pickleballs, 26 hole vs 40 hole pickleball, 40 hole pickleball, 26 hole pickleball, pickleball ball cracking, cold weather pickleballs, pickleballs crack
Indoor pickleballs usually have 26 larger holes and are lighter and softer. Outdoor balls usually have 40 smaller holes and are heavier and harder, so they cope better with wind and rough courts. Both are legal anywhere: USA Pickleball says any approved ball may be used indoors or outdoors. Pick the one made for your surface.
Every approved ball meets the same USA Pickleball standard. It must be 2.87 to 2.97 inches across and weigh 0.78 to 0.935 ounces. It needs 26 to 40 round holes and a smooth surface. Dropped from 78 inches onto a granite plate at about 70°F, it must bounce 30 to 34 inches. The rulebook adds that all approved balls are acceptable for indoor or outdoor play.
Custom, not the rules, splits the two types. The rulebook notes that the ball with larger holes is usually used indoors and the one with smaller holes outdoors. Pickleball.com describes indoor balls as lighter and softer, made for smooth gym floors. Outdoor balls are heavier and harder, built for wind and rough asphalt or concrete. The hole pattern also changes how the ball reacts to spin.
Cold weather makes balls harder and more likely to crack, so store them indoors and rotate in fresh ones. A cracked ball bounces unevenly and should be replaced. If a ball cracks mid-rally, play goes on until the rally ends. The rally is replayed only if all players agree the crack affected it. A ball that has simply gone soft does not earn a replay. In a sanctioned tournament, the tournament director picks the ball from the approved list.
Tips by skill level
Check the hole count on the package or the ball. Use a 40-hole outdoor ball on outdoor courts and an indoor ball on gym floors.
Before a tournament, find out which ball the event uses and practice with it. The tournament director chooses it from the approved list, and different models can play differently.
Example
A group moves from a school gym to outdoor courts. They switch from their 26-hole indoor ball to a 40-hole outdoor ball. This is heavier and harder and better suited to the breeze and the rough concrete.
Why it matters
The wrong ball for your surface changes the bounce, the pace and how the ball takes spin. Knowing the difference also helps you keep fresh balls in cold weather and settle a cracked-ball dispute by the rules.
Common mistakes
- Bringing a light indoor ball to a windy outdoor court and blaming your shots when it drifts
- Playing on with a cracked ball, which bounces unevenly
- Leaving balls in a cold car, which makes them harder and more likely to crack
- Assuming an indoor ball is illegal outdoors, when any approved ball is legal for either
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between indoor and outdoor pickleballs?
Indoor balls usually have 26 larger holes and are lighter and softer. Outdoor balls usually have 40 smaller holes and are heavier and harder, built for wind and rough courts.
Can you use an outdoor pickleball indoors?
Yes. The USA Pickleball rulebook says all approved balls are acceptable for indoor or outdoor play. Players simply tend to choose the ball made for their surface.
How many holes does a pickleball have?
An approved ball has between 26 and 40 round holes. Indoor balls usually have 26 and outdoor balls usually have 40.
Why do pickleballs crack in cold weather?
Cold makes balls harder and more likely to crack. Store them indoors and replace any ball with a visible crack, because it bounces unevenly.
What happens if the ball cracks during a point in pickleball?
Play continues until the rally ends. The rally is replayed only if all players agree the cracked ball affected it. Otherwise the result stands, and the ball is replaced if everyone agrees.
Sources
- USA Pickleball 2026 Official Rulebook — Rules 3.C.1–3.C.5 and Figure 3-2 (approved balls, indoor/outdoor use), 10.G–10.G.2 (damaged ball)
- USA Pickleball Equipment Standards Manual (Rev. 3.0, Jan 2025) — Sections 2.D.2–2.D.8 (ball approval, size, weight, bounce, holes)
- Pickleball.com — What is a pickleball? (indoor vs outdoor ball construction)
- Pickleball.com — Ten tips for pickleball in crisp fall weather (cold balls harder, crack more easily)
Related terms
- Ball Speed LegalityOnly officially approved balls are legal in sanctioned tournaments. Like paddles, they must pass standard tests, which for balls cover size, weight, bounce and compression. Any approved ball may be used indoors or outdoors.
- Playing Pickleball in the WindIn the wind, play lower and safer. Aim well inside the lines, keep dinks and drops low and short, and hit fewer lobs, because high balls drift the most. Into a headwind you can swing a little firmer, since the air slows the ball. With the wind at your back, take pace off, because the ball carries deeper.
- Choosing a Pickleball PaddleFor a first paddle, many coaches suggest a midweight paddle with a standard shape and a thicker, control-oriented core. It should feel comfortable in your hand without squeezing. If you plan to play tournaments, check that it is on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list.
- Paddle Specification RulesFor USA Pickleball sanctioned play, your paddle must be listed as Pass on the USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List. To get there it must pass surface roughness, friction and glare tests. Length plus width can be no more than 24 inches, and length no more than 17 inches. There is no limit on weight or thickness.
Related guides & benchmarks
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