Can you use tennis balls for padel?

Tennis balls are not recommended for padel. They look similar, but padel balls typically have lower internal pressure, which changes their bounce. The LTA advises against substituting tennis balls for padel balls. For official competition, the International Padel Federation (FIP) requires balls it has approved. [1] [2]

Our advice is simple: check what the tube says before choosing by colour.

What is actually different?

Pressure and bounce are the important distinction in the LTA’s explanation—not just the ball’s appearance. Its comparison lists a padel-ball diameter range of 6.35–6.77 cm and a tennis-ball range of 6.54–6.86 cm. It lists both at 56–59.4 g. [1]

Those diameter ranges overlap. So it is too simple to say that every padel ball is smaller than every tennis ball, and weighing a ball will not necessarily settle the question either.

For a regular game, choose a product clearly intended for padel rather than deciding that a tennis ball looks close enough.

What does FIP specify?

FIP’s rules set requirements for the ball’s diameter, weight and rebound. For the standard new-ball benchmark, the rebound must be 135–145 cm when the ball is dropped onto a hard surface from 2.54 m. The rules also include a separate high-altitude provision for play above 1,000 m. [2]

That is a rule specification, not a home test that proves a particular product is FIP-approved. Meeting a quoted size or bounce figure and holding current approval are not claims we would treat as interchangeable.

If you are entering a tournament, ask the organiser which approved ball model is required. It is a useful detail to settle before you arrive, rather than at the start of the warm-up.

Does the ball have to be yellow?

Not under the current FIP rule. The ball may be white, yellow or another colour, provided it has appropriate, clear contrast with the court surface. Official-competition approval is still a separate requirement. [2]

In other words, colour alone does not establish approval—and “another colour” does not mean that any colour works on every court.

Which balls should you bring?

For your regular game, use balls intended for padel. Our Classic Yellow padel balls and Powder Pink padel balls are each sold in tubes of three.

For a competition, confirm the organiser’s required approved model rather than assuming that a product name, colour or listing is enough.

Keep the choice simple: padel balls for padel, and competition requirements checked before play. Colour can be the fun decision after that.