Padel scoring uses the tennis format: points go 15, 30, 40, game. Sets are first to six games with a two-game margin, with a tiebreak at 6-6. Matches are best of three sets. Two common variants are golden point (one decisive point at 40-40 instead of needing to win by two) and the super tiebreak (a 10-point tiebreak replacing the third set).
How individual games are scored
A padel game runs on the same four-point ladder as tennis. Win one point: 15. Two points: 30. Three points: 40. Four points: game (provided you have at least a two-point margin).
The unusual numbers trace back to clock faces on mediaeval tennis courts and have nothing to do with padel specifically. Just memorise them.
| Points won | Called |
|---|---|
| 0 | Love |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 30 |
| 3 | 40 |
| 4 (with 2-point margin) | Game |
Deuce: the traditional way
When both teams reach 40-40, the score is "deuce". Under traditional rules, a team must win two consecutive points from deuce to take the game. Winning the first point after deuce is called "advantage". If you then win the next point, you win the game. If you lose it, the score goes back to deuce and the process repeats.
Theoretically, a single game can go on indefinitely at deuce. In practice, most padel games resolve within 2-3 deuce sequences.
Golden point: the modern variant
Most recreational padel and many professional formats use golden point instead of traditional deuce. At 40-40, one decisive point is played to win the game. The receiving team chooses which side (deuce or advantage court) to return from.
This speeds up matches and adds drama. Professional tours including Premier Padel use golden point across most events. If you are playing at a club, always confirm which format you are using before starting. See our dedicated golden point guide for the full context.
Sets: first to six, margin of two
A set goes to the first team to win six games. You must also be ahead by at least two games - so if the score reaches 5-5, the set continues until one team is up 7-5, or until the score hits 6-6 and triggers a tiebreak.
- Win 6-0 through 6-4: straightforward set win
- At 5-5: continue to 7-5 or 6-6
- At 6-6: play a tiebreak to decide the set
The tiebreak
When a set reaches 6-6, a tiebreak decides the set. This is a separate game scored on a running count.
The team winning the tiebreak wins the set 7-6. The final set score is recorded as 7-6 regardless of the exact tiebreak scoreline.
The super tiebreak
To keep match length predictable, some formats replace the third set with a super tiebreak. If the two teams split the first two sets one apiece, the match is decided by a single tiebreak to 10 points (with a 2-point margin) rather than a full third set.
This cuts potentially 30-60 minutes off a match. It is common in amateur leagues and mixed-gender formats. Premier Padel uses full third sets, not super tiebreaks.
Match format
Standard padel matches are best of three sets. To win, you need to win two sets. If you win the first two in a row, the match ends 2-0 in sets. If each team wins one, the third set (or super tiebreak) decides it.
Average match length is 60-90 minutes in doubles club play. Professional matches can run longer depending on how tight the sets are.