Paddle rules

There are two rules about the size of a paddle (3.D.2).

• Length plus width must be 24 inches (61 cm) or less (including the edge guard and the cap at the end of the grip) (3.D.2)
• Length must be 17 inches (43.2 cm) or less (the full length, including the grip) (3.D.2)

There is no limit on width alone. A long, narrow paddle or a short, wide paddle is fine, as long as it meets these two rules (3.D.2). There is also no limit on thickness or weight (3.D.2, 3.D.3).

Approved paddles

• Makers must put a "USA Pickleball Approved" mark on the paddle (3.D.1)
• In tournaments played under USA Pickleball rules, you use a paddle that is on USA Pickleball's approved list. Players must check for themselves whether their paddle is on the list (3.D.1, 18.A). The list is published on USA Pickleball's website (3.D, USA Pickleball)
• There are also rules about the hitting surface. You cannot use a paddle with a surface treatment that is not allowed, such as a rough texture or rubber (3.D.5, 3.D.6)

Detailed performance standards (such as how rough the surface can be, or how the ball bounces off it) are set in the "Equipment Standards Manual," which is separate from the rulebook (3.D.4, USA Pickleball).

Approval by other organizations

Besides USA Pickleball, some other organizations approve paddles on their own. For example, UPA-A publishes lists of paddles that can be used in professional play on the PPA Tour and in MLP (pickleball.com).

Tournaments in Japan

For play in Japan: at least one Pickleball Japan tournament has allowed any paddle approved by either UPA or USA Pickleball (PJ Pickleball Championships 2026). The paddles allowed can differ from tournament to tournament, so check the guidelines of the tournament you enter.