Padel scoring
Padel borrows tennis scoring, counting points as 15–30–40 within games and playing sets to six games decided by a tiebreak.
Overview
Padel uses the same point structure as tennis. Within a game, points are counted love, 15, 30 and 40, and a game is won by the side two points clear after 40. Games build into sets, and sets build into a match, usually the best of three.
The main scoring difference some formats adopt is the "golden point": instead of playing the win-by-two advantage after deuce, a single decisive point settles the game. Sets are played to six games and a tiebreak decides a set that reaches six games all.
How it works
- Points within a game follow the tennis sequence of love, 15, 30 and 40.
- At 40-all (deuce) a side normally needs two points in a row, though some formats use a single "golden point" instead.
- A set is won by the first side to six games with a two-game lead.
- A set that reaches six games all is decided by a tiebreak.
- A match is usually the best of three sets.
Where it’s used
Sports that use padel scoring:
Related scoring systems
Tennis scoring
Tennis is scored in points, games and sets, using the distinctive 15–30–40 point sequence and a win-by-two margin at every level.
Tiebreak scoring
A tiebreak is a short deciding game used in racket sports to settle a set that has reached an even number of games, scored in simple numbers to a fixed target.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Padel scoring to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Learning paths
- Learn TennisA structured, educational learning path for tennis — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn PadelA structured, educational learning path for padel — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn Table TennisA structured, educational learning path for table tennis — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
Rules
- Tennis serving rulesThe rules governing how a tennis point begins, including where the server stands and where the serve must land.
- LetA call that stops a point and has it replayed without penalty, used across several racket sports.
- Out of boundsThe rule that a ball or player leaving the marked playing area is out of play and possession is decided at the boundary.
- Shot clockA timing rule that requires the attacking basketball team to attempt a shot within a set number of seconds.
- Foot faultA serving fault called when the server's foot touches the baseline or court before striking the ball.
Adaptive sports
- Classification in para sportThe system used in para sport to group athletes so that competition is fair — decided by how much an impairment affects a specific sport.
- Para sportsThe competitive branch of adaptive sport, where athletes with disabilities train and compete, often within organised classification systems.
- Adaptive competitionsOrganised events where athletes with disabilities compete, from local grassroots fixtures up to major international championships.
- Wheelchair SportsSports played from a wheelchair — often a specialised sports chair — so that wheelchair users can take part, train and compete.
Equipment
- Padel racketA solid, stringless perforated racket used to play padel.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Tennis ballA hollow rubber ball covered in felt used in tennis and related racquet sports.
- Table tennis batA small wooden blade covered with rubber used to hit the ball in table tennis.
Skills
- Net playThe skill of controlling points close to the net with volleys and touch shots.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- RallyingThe skill of exchanging shots back and forth to build and win a point.
- Returning serveThe skill of reading and playing back an opponent’s serve to stay in the rally.
- FootworkThe skill of moving efficiently around the playing area to be in position for each shot or action.
Tactics
- Serve and volleyAn attacking tennis tactic where the server follows their serve to the net to finish the point with a volley.
- Offside trapA defensive football tactic where the back line steps up together to leave an attacker offside.
- Baseline playA patient tennis style built around rallying from the back of the court and constructing points with groundstrokes.
- Doubles formationHow a pair positions itself on court — one up, one back, or both at the net — to control space in doubles.
- Zone defenceA defensive system where each player guards an area of the court rather than a specific opponent.