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How to Measure a Pickleball Paddle

Pickleball paddle and a ball on a court line.

If you are thinking of buying a Pickleball paddle, we want to help you with this little free guide that you can see below and offer you a selection of Pickleball paddles as well as give you some advice on the aspects you have to take into account when choosing your next Pickleball paddle.

Related To: Should Kids Use Lighter “Kids” Pickleball Paddles? | How to Clean a Pickleball Paddle? | Do Pickleball Paddles Wear Out? | Types of Pickleball Paddles

The Weight

A young man carrying a ball using a pickleball paddle.

Pickleball rackets, more commonly called Pickleball paddles. They usually weigh between 200 and 300 grams, somewhat lighter than paddle tennis rackets. Most pickleball paddles, or at least decent quality ones, are made from carbon fiber and graphite surfaces.

The core of the best-performing blades is usually a Polypropylene honeycomb polymer design.

Shape and Grip

An old man reaching a ball on air using a round paddle.

A pickleball paddle is rectangular in shape with very rounded corners and thinner and lighter than the paddle racket because, in pickleball, you don’t have to exert as much force to hit the ball. A racket with little weight – 200/300 grams, nothing more – and a good grip to move the wrist quickly and agilely is the ideal choice.

This is the most important thing in this game, not physical strength in the arms.

Measurements of a pickleball paddle

A lady playing pickleball single on an open court.

A pickleball paddle is rectangular to an ellipse in shape, with very rounded edges. Between length and width, its measurements cannot exceed 61 centimeters. That is, if it measures 20 in width, it cannot be more than 41 long. From there, the brands create different designs with different shapes but always respect the regulatory measures that are:

  • The sum of width and height cannot exceed 61 cm (24 inches).
  • The maximum width cannot exceed 20.96 cm (8.25 inches)
  • Maximum height cannot exceed 17 inches (43.18 cm)
  • The grip or grip handle cannot be greater than 13.97 cm (5.5 inches)
  • Blade thickness should not exceed 0.625 inches (1.59 cm).

Features

Most paddles have similar characteristics, such as:

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  • 100% CARBON FIBER SURFACE – made with a high-quality carbon fiber surface.
  • HONEYCOMB CORE – Construction of the core of the racket in polypropylene with a honeycomb design. This reduces vibration when hitting and makes the racket very stable.
  • PERFECT COMBINATION – Its carbon fiber surface bonded to the polypropylene core creates an ideal combination for the game of most athletes. This combination provides the best grip.
  • Pickleball rackets include an ergonomic padded grip that offers you the best grip and precision when hitting the ball.

What is a pickleball paddle made of?

Pickleballs with different color and a paddle.

Pickleball paddles are made from modern materials such as lightweight wood, aluminum, fiberglass, polymers, Nomex, or even carbon fiber in the case of professional competition pickleball paddles. Very different from the old plywood rackets with which this sport began to be played back in the 70s.

The technology of tennis and paddle tennis has also reached pickleball, and now you have light and resistant materials at your disposal. Paddles for beginners or for children are usually made only with wood since to start playing from scratch is enough, and it is much cheaper. But as soon as you learn to play, you will need a pickleball racket of better quality.

Wooden Paddles

Wooden paddles are the heaviest, and they are also the cheapest. New players or those unsure about investing in gear may be tempted to buy a wooden paddle. This is good; however, the issue of weight must be taken into account.

Composite blades are a middle ground. They are usually in the mid-price range but come in a variety of weights and sizes. Graphite blades are the most expensive but can be light and powerful.

Conclusion

Two lady playing pickleball double on the court.

The best way to choose a racket is to try a few and see which one suits you best and helps you in your game. If this is not an option, opt for a medium-weight racket with the proper grip size measurement and made from a composite material. You will get a good idea of what works for you and find out what to look for in the future.

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