Padel Scoring System Explained: Points, Sets and Tiebreaks

Padel uses the same scoring structure as tennis. If you've played tennis, you already know it. If you haven't, it takes about one match to feel natural. Here's the full breakdown.

Points within a game

Points go: 0, 15, 30, 40, game. You need to win four points to win a game, but you have to win by two.

If both sides reach 40-40 (called deuce), one side needs to win two consecutive points. The first point from deuce is called advantage. Win the next point and you win the game. Lose it and you're back to deuce. This can go on indefinitely — there's no sudden death at deuce in standard play, though some recreational formats use a match tiebreak instead.

Games within a set

First to six games wins a set. You must win by two. So if it's 5-5, you play on until someone leads by two games (7-5 wins the set, for instance).

At 6-6, you play a tiebreak.

The tiebreak

The tiebreak plays differently from a normal game. Points are counted 0, 1, 2, 3... (no 15/30/40 system). First to seven points wins — but again, must win by two.

Service alternates every two points in the tiebreak, starting with one serve from the first server, then two from the second server, then two each, alternating. Players switch ends every six points.

Sets and matches

A match is best of three sets. Win two sets and you win the match. Most recreational and club-level padel in the UK uses this format, though social sessions sometimes just play one set or a set number of games to keep the rotation moving if there are multiple groups waiting.

The golden point (super tiebreak)

At professional level and in many competitive amateur tournaments, if the match reaches one set each, the third set is replaced by a super tiebreak — first to 10 points, win by two. This is also called a match tiebreak. It's quicker and used to fit tournament schedules.

Some club leagues use this format across all matches to keep courts turning over. Check your local club's format before assuming.

Service rotation

Because padel is doubles, service rotates through all four players. Player A serves first, then Player C (opposition), then Player B, then Player D, cycling through the match. Within a service game, the same player serves all points — service doesn't rotate within a game, only between games.

The receiving pair also rotates which player receives from which side. The same player receives in the deuce court and the same player receives in the advantage court throughout the set. They can switch for the next set if they want.

Let and fault rules

A let on the serve (net cord that drops in) means the serve is replayed — same as tennis. A serve that hits the net and goes out is a fault.

A service fault counts the same as in tennis. Two faults in a row is a double fault — you lose the point.

A quick summary

• Points: 15, 30, 40, game (deuce if tied at 40)
• Games: first to 6, win by 2 (tiebreak at 6-6)
• Tiebreak: first to 7, win by 2 (points counted 1, 2, 3...)
• Match: best of 3 sets
• Optional super tiebreak instead of third set in tournaments

Once you've played a few games it becomes automatic. The scoring is genuinely the least complicated part of getting into padel.

If you're still getting started and looking for more foundational guides, read our complete beginner's guide to padel rules or our guide on choosing your first padel racket.