How to Score in Padel — The Complete Scoring Guide

Padel scoring is almost identical to tennis — so if you've ever watched Wimbledon, you already know the basics. Points go 15, 30, 40, game. Games build into sets. Sets build into matches. The one difference that trips everyone up is the golden point. Here's everything explained simply.

Points — 15, 30, 40

Each rally produces one point. Points are counted in the same sequence as tennis:

Games and sets

Once you understand points, games and sets follow naturally:

• A game — win 4 points (15, 30, 40, game) and you win a game
• A set — first team to win 6 games wins the set. You must lead by at least 2 games. If it reaches 6-6, a tiebreak is played
• A match — most club padel is best of 3 sets. First team to win 2 sets wins the match

Deuce and the golden point

When both teams reach 40-40 it's called deuce. In traditional tennis you play advantage points until one team leads by two. In padel — especially at club level — most venues use the golden point rule instead.

The golden point is used in professional padel worldwide and at most UK clubs. If you're playing a formal league match, always check beforehand whether they use golden point or advantage scoring.

Tiebreaks

If a set reaches 6-6, a tiebreak decides it. The tiebreak works differently to normal scoring:

• Points are counted 1, 2, 3… (not 15, 30, 40)
• First team to reach 7 points wins the tiebreak — but must lead by 2
• If it reaches 6-6 in the tiebreak, play continues until one team leads by 2
• The team that wins the tiebreak wins the set 7-6
• Players swap ends every 6 points during the tiebreak

Match format

Standard club padel in the UK is played as best of 3 sets. Professional padel is also best of 3. Here's the full match structure at a glance:

• Points: 15 → 30 → 40 → game (golden point at deuce)
• Games: first to 6, leading by 2 (tiebreak at 6-6)
• Sets: first to win 2 sets wins the match
• Serving: teams alternate serving each game. Both players on the serving team serve in turn — switches after every game
• Ends: teams switch ends after the first game of each set and then every two games

Scoring FAQ

Who calls the score in padel?

The serving team calls the score before each point — their score first, then the opponents'. For example "30-15" means the serving team has 30 and the receiving team has 15.

What happens if there's a dispute about the score?

At club level, the convention is that if there's genuine disagreement, the point is replayed. In formal league matches there may be a referee. Always agree on the score before serving.

Is padel scoring the same as tennis?

Almost identical — with the golden point at deuce being the main difference. If you already know tennis scoring you'll have no trouble with padel.

What is "no ad" scoring?

Some casual sessions use "no ad" scoring — at deuce, the next point wins the game with no golden point choice. The receiving team picks which side to return from. Less common in the UK but occasionally used in social sessions.