Padel Scoring Explained: How to Keep Score (with Examples)

Padel scoring is simple once it clicks, and the good news is that it works exactly like tennis. If you have ever watched or played tennis, you already know most of it. This guide explains how to keep score in padel step by step, with clear examples, the golden point, tie-breaks, and the little details that trip up beginners.

Points: 15, 30, 40, game

Within a game, points go 15, 30, 40, then game. The first point is 15, the second 30, the third 40, and the fourth wins the game, as long as you are two points clear. Zero is called love. So 15-0 is read as fifteen-love.

From points to games to sets

• Game: win four points, and lead by two, to win a game.

• Set: win six games, leading by two, to win a set.

• Match: best of three sets, so the first pair to win two sets wins the match.

Deuce and the golden point

At 40-40 it is deuce. In traditional scoring you then need two points in a row to win the game: win one and you have advantage, win the next and the game is yours; lose it and you are back to deuce. Many clubs and the entire professional tour use the golden point instead: at deuce, the very next point decides the game. It is faster and adds drama, so check which your game is using before you start, because it changes tactics on the big points.

Tie-break

At 6-6 in games, a set is decided by a tie-break, played to 7 points and won by two clear points. Points in a tie-break are counted normally: 1, 2, 3, and so on, not 15, 30, 40. Players change serve and ends at set intervals during the tie-break.

A full example game

You win the first point, so it is 15-0. Your opponents win the next two, making it 15-30. You win a big rally to reach 30-30, then take the next for 40-30. One more point and the game is yours. Win six games like that and you take the set; win two sets and the match is done.

Serving and the flow of scoring

Padel is doubles, so you keep one score for your pair, not per player. The serve is underarm and alternates between teams each game, and within a game the server changes sides after each point (deuce court, then advantage court). If you are still learning the flow, read the full padel rules explained and what is padel.

How padel scoring compares to tennis

The scoring numbers are identical to tennis: 15, 30, 40, game, six games a set, best of three. The main differences are the underarm serve, the golden point that many padel games use at deuce, and of course that padel is always doubles. If you know tennis scoring, you know padel scoring.

Common confusions

• One score for the pair, not per player.

• Golden point vs advantage: confirm which before you start.

• Tie-break points are 1, 2, 3, not 15, 30, 40.

• The serve is underarm and must bounce before you hit it.

FAQ

Is padel scoring the same as tennis? Yes. Points go 15, 30, 40, game, then six games win a set and best of three sets wins the match. The main extra is the golden point many games use at deuce.

What is the golden point in padel? At deuce (40-40), the next point decides the game, instead of needing two clear points. Many clubs and the pro tour use it.

How many sets are in a padel match? Best of three: the first pair to win two sets wins the match.

How does a tie-break work in padel? At 6-6 in games, play a tie-break to 7 points, won by two clear points, counting 1, 2, 3 and so on.

Do you keep score per player or per team? Per team. Padel is doubles, so there is one score for your pair.

What does love mean in padel? Love means zero, exactly as in tennis, so 15-0 is read fifteen-love.

Know the score? Book a court at Redline and put it into practice.