Just as a master musician uses various notes to create a beautiful composition, different pickleball paddle dimensions can be brought together to make the perfect paddle for you.
But in order for the musician to know what notes to use, they must first understand all of the different notes that they have at their disposal and what they can do with them.
And in the same way, once you understand the different dimensions of a paddle, you’ll be able to understand the right paddle dimensions for your playing style.
In other words, you’ll be making sweet pickleball music in no time.
Pickleball Paddle Dimensions: The Basics
Pickleball paddle dimensions are an important factor for your style of play so you want to find the right fit.
And as you look for the ideal paddle for you, you need to gain a knowledge of the different shapes, different sizes, and various weights that are available.
When you go to research different paddles, you will find standard pickleball paddles, elongated paddles, blade paddles, teardrop paddles, and widebody paddles.
Each of these have different dimensions and weights that offer unique benefits and drawbacks.
What are the dimensions of a pickleball paddle? How do you size a pickleball paddle?
Pickleball paddles come in all shapes and sizes.
But there are dimensional ranges for the size of a paddle.
In fact, the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) requires that the combined length and width of a paddle (total surface area) cannot exceed 24 inches.
If, for example, a paddle has a length of 16 inches and a width of 8 inches (24″ total), it falls within the guidelines.
But if the paddle is 17 inches long with an 8 inch paddle face (25″ total), it makes the pickleball paddle illegal and it cannot be used in a pickleball tournament.
If you are wondering if your paddle is USAPA approved, you can check out their full list of legal paddles.
Pickleball Paddle Dimensions
With a variety of pickleball paddles, you also get a variety of dimensions.
The diagram above gives you a visual, but here is a quick breakdown below:
Length: 15″ to 17″
Width: 7″ to 8 1/4″
Weight: 6 oz to 14 oz
Grip Length: 4 1/2″ to 6″
Core Thickness: 10mm to 16mm
Grip Circumference: 4″ to 4 1/2″
5 Factors that Determine Pickleball Paddle Dimensions
There are five factors that impact the dimensions of a pickleball paddle:
- The Shape: There are five different shapes for pickleball paddles.
- The Length: Paddles can range from 15 to 17 inches.
- The Weight: The weight of a paddle can range between 6 ounces and 14 ounces.
- The Grip Size: Most grip sizes are between 4 and 5 inches.
- The Edge: Some paddles come with an edge guard and some are edgeless.
All of these factors change the dimensions of the paddle. And each are important to the feel and use on the court.
Pickleball Paddle Shapes
Imagine you’re at the paddle store, facing a lineup of paddles that look like they belong in a sci-fi movie. Some are narrow, some are wide—some look like the spanking paddle the principal used on your grandpa.
How do we make sense of it all?
And to make matters more stressful: you know that the shape is vital to paddle choice.
In fact, shape is probably the most important dimension of the paddle because it dictates many of the other factors, including the paddle length and weight.
No pressure, right?
Well, let’s break it down together.
Pickleball paddles come in five different shapes, and these forms change the playability and use of the paddle on the court. Some are more aerodynamic while others have a larger sweet spot. Some give better reach while others give better control.
Let’s look at all five more in-depth.
Standard Pickleball Paddle
Standard paddle dimensions have a rectangular-shaped head with curved edges, and they are often between 15 inches to 15 3/4 inches in length and around 8 inches wide on the paddle face.
If you’ve been around the game of pickleball for any length of time, you know that the standard paddle is called “the standard” for a reason–because it is the most common paddle that you will see at the court.
And it is the most commonly-used paddle because it offers the best balance between power and control.
That makes it a great choice for a wide variety of players.
Dimensions Breakdown
- Average Length: 15″ to 15 3/4″
- Average Width: 8″
- Average Weight: 9 oz.
Elongated Pickleball Paddle
Elongated pickleball paddles are longer and narrower than standard paddles-often stretching between 16 inches and 20 inches in length.
But the width of the paddle face shrinks compared to the standard, often closer to 7 inches in width (compared to 8″).
The elongated shape gives better reach during the game and singles players love them for the court coverage it offers.
Dimensions Breakdown
- Average Length: 16-17″
- Average Width: 7-8″
- Average Weight: 8 oz.
Widebody Pickleball Paddle
Widebody paddles are wider than the standard pickleball shape.
On a widebody shape, the width can stretch to over 8 inches, creating a larger sweet spot and bigger area on the paddle face surface, which provides more forgiveness at ball contact.
But the length is often similar to the standard paddle.
Dimensions Breakdown
- Average Length: 15-16″
- Average Width: 8-9″
- Average Weight: 8 oz.
Blade Pickleball Paddle
Blade paddles look much like their name suggests–like they should slice right through the air like a knife.
This type of paddle is more narrow and longer than the standard paddle.
They often measure almost 17 inches in length, but they give up some size in their width–measuring around 7 inches from side to side.
While it has a smaller sweet spot and hitting area, these paddles do give you a greater court coverage.
Because blade paddles take more precision to square the ball up, these paddles are best for more advanced players or professional players (4.0 pickleball players and up).
Dimensions Breakdown
- Average Length: 17″
- Average Width: 7″
- Average Weight: 7-8.5 oz.
Teardrop Pickleball Paddle
While a standard paddle has rounded edges, teardrop pickleball paddles have more rounding all the way around the outer edge.
Most teardrop paddles are between 15.5 inches and 16 inches in length.
And they are often around 8 inches in length.
The more-rounded paddle creates balance across the paddle face for a significant sweet spot that is hard to miss.
Dimensions Breakdown
- Average Length: 15.5-16.5″
- Average Width: 7.5-8″
- Average Weight: 7.5-8 oz.
Which pickleball body dimension should I choose?
With five different shapes to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down the correct paddle for you.
We wish we could book a call with each reader and give specific advice.
But we will do the next best thing by giving you a variety of scenarios that may fit your situation.
A quick disclaimer: we could prescribe the standard paddle for almost every scenario, so we will try to give you different suggestions in case you want to go another route.
BEGINNER
Our Pick: Standard
There’s a reason the standard pickleball paddle is the standard.
It’s because it strikes a balance for different styles of play.
If you are a new player, stick with the standard, but ask your friends if you can try out their more-unique paddles.
CONTROL PLAYER
Our Pick: Teardrop or Widebody
It’s hard to miss the sweet spot on a teardrop or widebody paddle.
And for that reason, control players love them.
If you are looking for ball control, you want a paddle that’s going to do what you ask it to do, as often as you ask it.
And teardrop paddles are predictable and responsive.
A widebody also gives you a better chance for consistent contact, but they are less maneuverable than a teardrop.
POWER PLAYER
Our Pick: Widebody (maybe elongated)
A wide body paddle has a larger surface area and a larger sweet spot.
This is a perfect combination for power hitters.
The widebody may not cut through the wind as well, but it makes up for it with a bigger area to bring the juice.
FORMER TENNIS PLAYER
Our Pick: Elongated or Blade
The extra length on the elongated or blade paddles is ideal for former tennis players.
It can be difficult to transition from tennis to pickleball.
The paddle size is smaller and the ball response off the paddle is very different.
But the elongated- or blade-style gives you a few extra square inches to mimic the feel of a tennis racket.
SINGLES PLAYER
Our Pick: Elongated
Without a partner, singles players need to be able to cover more court.
And an elongated paddle gives you extra reach near the kitchen line.
They are maneuverable and adaptable.
For this reason, it is becoming more and more popular among singles players in recent years.
Pickleball Paddle Length
All of the paddle shapes that we mentioned above come in different lengths and sizes.
But the majority of pickleball paddles come in lengths between 15.5 inches and 17 inches, which is the maximum length a paddle can be.
And length really matters.
A longer paddle gives more reach, while a shorter paddle is more maneuverable in games situations.
Pickleball Paddle Weight
The weight of pickleball paddles can vary widely–with some paddles weighing as little as 6 ounces for a light paddle to nearly 14 ounces for heavy paddles.
But the majority of paddles weight between 7 and 9 ounces.
While you may assume that weight doesn’t make a big difference, it’s a major factor on paddle dimension and your game play.
A pickleball paddle’s swing weight can impact your power or control and also can affect your health as a pickleball player.
Some players even add lead tape to the side of their paddle to generate more weight and power.
If the weight of the paddle is too light or too heavy for your playing style, it can lead to elbow and shoulder issues.
When researching paddles, most are broken down into one of three categories: lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight.
Lightweight Paddle
A lightweight paddle weighs 7.2 ounces or less.
With the lighter weight, players can move the paddle around more quickly to the ball, which helps with reflexes around the kitchen line.
You also get better control with lighter paddles and it can take your dink and drop shot game to a whole new level.
But you will get less power with lightweight pickleball paddles.
Midweight Paddle
Midweight paddles are normally between 7.3 and 8.2 ounces in weight.
They are the happy middle ground in terms of weight.
If you want a mix of power and control, you can get it with a mid-weight paddle.
It can also reduce some of the wear-and-tear on your shoulder and wrist action.
Heavyweight Paddle
Heavyweight paddles often weigh 8.3 ounces or more.
A heavier paddle will give you the juice and pop you want on your swing, but you will give up a little control.
And if you play a long time, a heavy paddle can cause fatigue or it can also irritate shoulder or elbow issues, such as tennis elbow.
How much do pickleball paddles weigh?
As mentioned above, pickleball paddles can weigh between 6 and 14 ounces. Here is a reference chart for paddle weight.
| PADDLE TYPE | WEIGHT RANGE | BENEFITS & DRAWBACKS |
| Lightweight | 7.2 oz. and below | Easy to maneuver, lacks in power |
| Midweight | 7.3 to 8.2 oz. | Good mix of power and control |
| Heavyweight | 8.3 oz. and up | Great for power, can stress the arm |
Pickleball Paddle Grip Sizes
When looking at a pickleball paddle, there are two dimensions to the grip size: grip length and grip circumference.
As you set out to choose your paddle, both dimensions matter and you will want to give them consideration.
Grip Length
Most pickleball paddles are 4 1/2 inches to up to 6 inches in grip length.
And the length of the handle can make a big difference.
Former tennis players often prefer the longer grip because it’s a little closer to a tennis racquet grip size. The longer handle also allows them to use a two-handed backhand.
Players who use the smaller size handle like it because it is easier to control the paddle.
The Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power Pickleball Paddle is an example of a long handle paddle (6″).
If you are looking for a shorter handle, the Engage Pursuit SX Graphite Paddle is a great option.
Grip Circumference
The other dimension of a paddle handle is the grip circumference–or the thickness of the handle.
Many handles are between 4 inches and 4 1/2 inches in circumference.
If a handle is too thick, it can cause fatigue or injury to your arm or wrist so you will want to get this right.
As you seek to find the best thickness for you, you will want to measure your grip size.
How do you measure grip size for a pickleball paddle?
There are three different ways you can measure your grip size for a pickleball paddle: the ring finger measurement, the index finger test, and the height test.
It’s essential that you find the correct grip circumference.
A grip that’s too small or big can cause issues and injuries, especially if you are planning to put some playing-mileage on the paddle.
Can you imagine playing basketball every day for a week in clown shoes? That’s going to hurt–unless, of course, your name is Bozo the Clown. I’ve heard Bozo is a real baller.
But for the rest of us, I can already imagine the blisters.
Why would you do the same with your pickleball paddle?
You want to find the size that has great feel and fits correctly in your hand.
Here are three tests to find your known grip size.
Ring Finger Measurement
To do the ring finger measurement:
- Hold your hand in the air with the palm of your hand out and your fingers pointed up. It should look like you are raising your hand for the teacher to call on you.
- Locate the bottom crease on your palm. This should be the last major crease you see–near where your thumb and hand meet.
- Take measuring tape or a ruler and measure the distance from that crease to the tip of your ring finger.
- The measurement is your grip size.
In the above photo, the pickleball player’s grip size is 4 3/8″ so they should buy a paddle with that grip size.
This is probably the best way to measure your grip size.
The Index Finger Test
Grab a pickleball paddle and place your dominant hand on the handle using an eastern forehand grip.
Your fingers will wrap around the paddle handle and there should be a gap between your fingers and thumb.
Slide the index finger from the opposite hand into the gap between your fingers and thumb on the paddle handle.
If there is enough room and it fits snug, this is the correct grip size for you.
But, if you have to force your finger into the space or there is too much space for your index finger, you should keep testing handles until you find the right size.
The Height Test
While it is not as accurate as the other tests, you can use your height to try and determine your paddle grip size.
If you are:
5’2″ or shorter: Use a 4″ grip
5’3″ to 5’8: Use a 4.25″ grip
5’8″ or taller: Use a 4.5″ grip
Edge Guard vs Edgeless Paddles Dimensions
The edge of the paddle is the last variable that can affect paddle dimensions.
Many paddles come fitted with an edge guard, a thin plastic or rubber piece that covers the outer edge of the paddle.
They protect your paddle from damage during the game.
Edge guards are normally 15 to 16 mm thick.
But other paddles go with an edgeless look. In this type of design, the edgeless pickleball paddles are all one piece, with no plastic strip on the outer edge.
As you would expect, you have slightly more area on the paddle face for ball contact, which provides more control.
How do pickleball paddles compare to the dimensions of paddles in other sports?
Pickleball paddles are unique in size and dimension when you compared to other paddle or racket sports.
Even from a simple visual, one can tell that the shape and measurements are different from tennis rackets, ping pong paddles, POP tennis paddles, platform tennis (or paddle tennis), and more.
But as we begin to break down the measurements for paddles/rackets from each sport, we get an even better picture of the differences. Here is a chart of paddle dimensions:
What are the different parts of a pickleball paddle called?
Paddle Face: Visually, the paddle face is the front facing part of the paddle, and it is the primary part a player uses to hit the pickleball. Most are made of fiberglass, graphite, or carbon fiber face. Many paddles come with grit (anti-skid paint) on the surface of the paddle–this allows players to spin the ball with more rotation.
Handle: Extends below the paddle face. This is the area where players can hold the paddle during gameplay.
Grip: Leather-like wrap that goes over the handle. It creates a cushioned surface and makes it easier to hold onto the paddle.
Edge Guard: Plastic piece that borders the outer edge of the paddle face.
Core: Inner portion of the paddle. Makes up the paddle thickness. Most cores are made of honeycomb polypropylene core, Nomex, or aluminum.
Which dimensions matter when choosing a paddle?
In order to choose a good pickleball paddle, you will want to consider the different dimensions of the paddle.
You should think through all of the different dimensions that we have covered in this article. You will want to consider:
- Paddle Shapes and Paddle Face size: What is the right length and sweet spot for you? Are you looking to get great court coverage?
- Paddle Material: Are you getting enough power? Are you looking for control? The main paddle surfaces are graphite paddles, composite paddles, carbon fiber paddles, and even wood paddles (though wooden paddles are not normally a good option).
- Paddle Weight: Do you get tired easily while swinging the paddle? Or do you want a heavier one for more punch?
- Grip Size: Does your hand fit the grip handle snugly? Do you need a smaller grip?
- Edge Guard vs Edgeless: Do you want extra paddle protection or more hitting surface?
- Core Material: Do you want better shock absorption? Are you wanting control? Many paddles have a 16 mm core.
This can be overwhelming, especially for new players just learning how to play pickleball for beginners.
But as usual, we are here to help.
What’s Next? Choosing a Pickleball Paddle
Now that you know the dimensions of a pickleball paddle, you are a ready to start narrowing down to the best choice for you.
There are so many good paddles.
For those searching for their first pickleball paddle, don’t go cheap on your first paddle purchase. You’ll be looking for a new paddle soon.
If you are beginner, here are our three best pickleball paddles:
The Radical Elite is a great paddle. I regularly use it myself.
You can check out our full Head Radical Elite review here. It’s a good choice.
And if you are looking to learn more about how to choose pickleball paddles, check out our ultimate guide to picking the right pickleball paddle.