Points: 15, 30, 40, game
Every rally earns one point for one team. Inside a game the points have names that padel took over from tennis:
| Points won | Called |
|---|---|
| 0 | Love (0) |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 30 |
| 3 | 40 |
| 4 | Game – if the team leads by two points |
The serving team's score is called first: “30–15” means the server's team has two points and the receivers one. When both teams reach 40, the score is deuce, and the match's deuce rule decides how the game ends.
Deuce: three ways to finish a game
At 40–40 there are three common rules. Agree on one before the first point:
- Advantage – a team must win two points in a row: advantage, then game. Lose the next point and it is deuce again.
- Golden Point – the next point wins the game. The receiving team chooses which side receives it.
- Star Point – advantage is played twice; at the third deuce one deciding point, the star point, wins the game.
The guide Golden Point vs Star Point vs Advantage compares them in detail.
Games, sets and the match
A set goes to 6 games, and the winners need a lead of two: 6–4 wins the set, 6–5 does not. At 5–5 the set continues to 7–5; at 6–6 a tie-break decides it, and the set ends 7–6.
Most matches are played best of three sets: the first team to win two sets wins the match. Leagues and club events often replace the third set with a match tie-break to 10 points, so that matches fit into the booked court time.
Who serves
A toss decides who serves first. One player then serves a whole game, and the serve passes to the other team after every game. The partners take turns, so in doubles the order runs: team A player 1, team B player 1, team A player 2, team B player 2 – and then starts again.
Each game starts with a serve from the right-hand side, and the server switches sides after every point. The serve is underarm: bounce the ball behind the service line, hit it at or below waist height and send it diagonally into the opponents' service box. As in tennis, the server has two attempts.
The teams also change ends during a set – after the first game and then after every second game. See when to change ends in padel.
Example: one game, point by point
Team A serves. This is how the score is called:
| Point | Won by | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team A | 15–0 |
| 2 | Team B | 15–15 (“15 all”) |
| 3 | Team B | 15–30 |
| 4 | Team A | 30–30 |
| 5 | Team A | 40–30 |
| 6 | Team B | 40–40, deuce |
| 7 | Team A | Advantage team A – or game team A with golden point |
| 8 | Team A | Game team A (with advantage) |
Had team B won point 8, the score would have gone back to deuce. With the star point that happens at most twice: at the third deuce the next point decides.
Shorter formats
Not every booking has time for three full sets. Popular alternatives:
- One set, or a single tie-break to 7 or 10 points.
- Shorter sets, for example to 4 games instead of 6.
- A timed match: play against the clock, for example 60 minutes; when time is up, the next point ends the match – or a deciding point if the score is tied.
- Americano and Mexicano: social formats played to a fixed number of points with changing partners.
Let PadelCounter keep the score
PadelCounter counts points, games, sets and tie-breaks for you, keeps track of the server and tells you when to change ends. Tap your Apple Watch, Garmin or Wear OS watch, your phone, a tablet or a Flic button after each rally – or score in any web browser.
- Advantage, Golden Point, Star Point and Match-Tiebreak
- Best of 1, 3 or 5 sets, or a single tie-break to 7 or 10
- Sets to 6 games – or 3, 9 or any number from 1 to 30
- A ball marks the server, a reminder shows when to change ends
Scoring is free. Golden Point, Star Point, timers and the announcer are part of PadelCounter Pro, with a free trial for new players.
Frequently asked questions
Why is padel scored 15, 30, 40?
Padel took its scoring from tennis. The calls 15, 30 and 40 are tradition and simply mean one, two and three points won; a fourth point with a two-point lead wins the game.
How many games are in a padel set?
Six, won by two games. At 5–5 the set goes on to 7–5; at 6–6 a tie-break to 7 points decides it, and the set ends 7–6.
How many sets are in a padel match?
Usually best of three: the first team to win two sets wins. Many leagues play a match tie-break to 10 points instead of a third set.
Is padel scored like tennis?
Almost exactly. Points, games, sets and tie-breaks work the same way. Padel adds deuce rules like the golden point and the FIP's star point, and the serve is always underarm.
Who serves first in padel?
A toss decides. The winner chooses to serve or receive, or picks an end. After that the serve passes to the other team after every game, and the partners take turns.