Padel vs squash: how do they compare?

People often describe padel as "tennis meets squash". That is a fair shorthand for the feel: tennis scoring and a net, squash-like walls. But if you play squash, you will find the wall rules in padel work very differently.

Padel vs squash at a glance

Padel figures are from the International Padel Federation (FIP) rules. Squash figures are from World Squash's court specifications and its Rules of Singles Squash 2025.

How do the walls work in padel vs squash?

This is the biggest difference.

• In squash, the walls are the target. Every shot must reach the front wall, and you can use the side and back walls on the way. Your opponent then hits the same front wall.
• In padel, the walls are a second chance. Your shot must cross the net and bounce in the opponents' court before it touches their walls. If it hits their glass on the full, you lose the point. Once it has bounced, the ball can come off their walls and they can still play it.

So a squash player's instinct to hit hard into the side wall works against them in padel. See how to use the walls in padel.

How big is a squash court compared with a padel court?

World Squash specifies an international singles court of 9,750 mm by 6,400 mm, about 62 square metres. A padel court is 20 m by 10 m, or 200 square metres, split in half by the net. Each padel pair covers a 10 m by 10 m half, so the space per player is broadly similar, but padel feels more open because of the net and the glass.

How is scoring different?

Squash: World Squash's 2025 singles rules say each game is played to 11 points, and if the score reaches 10-all the game continues until one player leads by 2 points. A match is normally best of five games, but may be best of three. Every rally scores a point.

Padel: tennis scoring. 15, 30, 40, game, six-game sets and tie-breaks. See padel scoring.

Which is harder on the body?

They load the body differently. In squash, one player covers the whole court alone in a small space. In padel, two partners share each half, and there is often more time between shots, especially when the ball comes off the back glass. How tiring either one is depends far more on your level and the intensity of the game than on the sport itself.

Is padel like squash for beginners?

The good news for squash players: your feel for a ball coming off a wall, your short swings and your quick feet all help in padel. The adjustments are:

1. Let the ball bounce before the wall. In padel the ball has to land on the ground first.
2. Aim over the net, not at a wall. Keep shots low over the net or high as lobs.
3. Play as a pair. Move with your partner and cover your half. See doubles positioning.
4. Learn the underarm serve. It is simpler than a squash serve, but the waist-height rule matters. See padel serve rules.

Which is more social?

Padel is always four players, so every booking is a group activity, and clubs run socials where you rotate partners. Squash is mostly one against one. Both have strong club cultures.

Which should I choose?

Want to try padel? Find a venue in where to play, then read the beginner's guide. For other comparisons see padel vs tennis and padel vs pickleball.