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This page explains what governing bodies, standards bodies and researchers publish. It is not a substitute for lessons from a qualified coach or for medical advice.
Who rules on padel equipment
The International Padel Federation (FIP) states that under its deed of incorporation and statutes it is the governing body of padel worldwide. It decides whether a ball complies with the rules or is approved for play, on its own initiative or at the request of any party with a bona fide interest, such as a player, a maker or a national federation.
For rackets, the FIP Rules of Padel say rackets must be manufactured in accordance with the FIP's "Annex Padel Rackets Homologation". That annex, and any public list of certified rackets, were not found for this site, so the racket rules below are those printed in the Rules of Padel themselves.
The racket (Rules of Padel, The Padel Racket)
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| 1 and 6 | Two parts, head and handle; the hitting surface is a perforated face, not strings |
| 2 | Handle at most 20 cm long, 50 mm wide (measured at the throat, ignoring the open space) and 50 mm thick |
| 3 and 4 | Head of variable length, but head and handle together at most 45.5 cm; head at most 26 cm wide and 38 mm thick |
| 5 | A 2.5 percent tolerance in thickness is allowed when rackets are measured |
| 6 | An unlimited number of cylindrical holes 9 to 13 mm in diameter in the central area; within 4 cm of the edge, holes may be larger or a different shape, up to 20 mm |
| 7 | Both faces flat; they may be smooth or rough |
| 8 | Only attachments that limit deterioration or vibration, or distribute weight, reasonable in size and position; no reflective surfaces or sound elements that could alter normal play |
| 9 | A non-elastic wrist cord of at most 35 cm, fixed to the handle and worn around the wrist; its use is obligatory |
| 10 | No visible or audible device that could communicate with, warn or instruct the player during a game |
The FIP describes the wrist cord as protection against accidents. Under the Rules of Padel a pair loses the point if a player breaks the cord or drops the racket. The Rules of Padel read for this site contain no eyewear requirement; the wrist cord is the compulsory safety item.
The ball (Rules of Padel, The Ball)
- Balls used in official competitions are those approved by the FIP.
- A rubber sphere with a uniform outer surface, white, yellow or another colour that contrasts clearly with the court; 6.35 to 6.77 cm in diameter and 56.0 to 59.4 g (item 1).
- A new ball must bounce 135 to 145 cm when dropped onto a hard surface from 2.54 m (item 2).
- Internal pressure between 4.6 kg and 5.2 kg per 2.54 square cm, as the FIP writes it (item 3).
- At altitude another ball type may be used, with a bounce over 121.92 cm and under 135 cm (item 4).
Three altitude thresholds
FIP documents disagree on when the altitude ball applies. The Rules of Padel applying from 1 January 2026 allow it above 1,000 m. The FIP's ball certification document, in its extract of the rules, says above 800 m. The same certification document's technical notes say the pressureless and High Altitude balls are for play above 1,219 m. This site cannot say which figure an event will apply.
The technical specification (FIP Certifications: Approved Balls, 2026)
The certification document describes the ball as a hollow rubber core with a mainly smooth cover, which may have a seamless fold, made from a mix of cotton, wool and nylon fibres.
| Type | Mass | Size | Rebound | Forward deformation | Return deformation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (pressurised or pressureless) | 56.0 to 59.4 g | 6.35 to 6.77 cm | 135 to 145 cm | 0.56 to 0.74 cm | 0.80 to 1.08 cm |
| High Altitude (pressurised) | 56.0 to 59.4 g | 6.35 to 6.77 cm | 121.92 to 135 cm | 0.56 to 0.74 cm | 0.80 to 1.08 cm |
A pressureless ball must have been acclimatised for at least 60 days at the event's altitude and have internal pressure of no more than 7 kPa. After a test simulating nine games, a ball may change by at most 0.4 g in mass, 4.0 cm in rebound, 0.08 cm in forward deformation and 0.10 cm in return deformation.
Set side by side, the FIP table matches the ITF's figures for the tennis Type 2 ball on mass, deformation and durability, while the padel ball is smaller (6.35 to 6.77 cm against 6.54 to 6.86 cm) and has a lower rebound band. That is a comparison of the two published tables made for this site, not a statement by either body. The tennis figures are on tennis balls and approval.
How a ball is certified
- Since 1 April 2017: the FIP's ball approval testing began on that date.
- Where it applies: only FIP-certified balls may be used in FIP official-calendar events, including FIP championships, Premier Padel, the CUPRA FIP Tour and FIP Promises, and in all FIP-recognised competitions.
- Testing: a box of 24 cans (72 balls) is submitted, and an FIP-accredited lab picks 24 at random and conditions them for at least 24 hours before testing. The labs named are Labosport (Le Mans, France), RINA Consulting Centro Sviluppo Materiali (Rome, Italy) and the Instituto de Biomecanica de Valencia (Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Spain).
- Renewal and withdrawal: certification must be renewed every two years from the FIP's acceptance date. The FIP may withdraw approval at any time if balls differ from the samples submitted, fail the rules or fall short of a reasonable quality standard.
- The list: the copy read runs to 41 numbered entries, approved between September 2024 and 18 August 2026, each expiring two years after approval. All are Standard type, pressurised or pressureless; the pressureless ones are filled with micro-cellular material to simulate internal pressure. The FIP says the online version on its website prevails over any printed copy.
- At the event: under FIP Rule 17, as extracted in the certification document, organisers must announce the ball brand and model, the number of balls per match (2, 3 or 4) and any ball-change policy in advance, and at least two balls must be available to start a point.
The court, walls and ground surface are on court surfaces and pace. A 2022 EU alert about one padel racket's handle tape is on recalls.