Ping pong vs pickleball
Pickleball is played on a 44 x 20 ft court with a net about 34 in high at the center, a solid paddle and a plastic ball with holes. Ping pong is played on a 9 x 5 ft table with a 2.7 g ball and far more spin. Both usually play games to 11, but in pickleball volleys are allowed outside the kitchen, the non-volley zone by the net, while in ping pong the ball must always bounce.
In this article
Pickleball has exploded in popularity, first in the US and then in many other countries. Since it uses solid paddles, a plastic ball and fast exchanges near the net, people often call it "ping pong on a bigger court". The comparison makes some sense, but the two sports are quite different.
This guide explains how pickleball and ping pong differ and which one might suit you better.
What is pickleball?
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by a group of friends and family who improvised a game with wooden paddles, a perforated plastic ball and a badminton net. It mixes elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis.
It is played on a court the size of a doubles badminton court, most often in doubles. The paddle is solid with no rubber, and the ball is a hard plastic ball with holes, similar to a wiffle ball.
The differences in numbers
| Pickleball | Ping pong (table tennis) | |
|---|---|---|
| Playing area | 44 x 20 ft court (13.41 x 6.10 m) | 9 x 5 ft table (2.74 x 1.525 m) |
| Net | 34 in at the center, 36 in at the sidelines | 6 in (15.25 cm) above the table |
| Ball | Perforated plastic, larger and heavier | Smooth plastic, 40 mm and 2.7 g |
| Paddle | Solid, composite or wood, no rubber | Wooden blade with rubber on one or both sides |
| Serve | Underhand, crosscourt into the service area | Ball bounces on your side, then the opponent's |
| Volley | Allowed, except inside the kitchen | Not allowed: the ball always bounces |
| Scoring | Games usually to 11, win by 2 | Games to 11, win by 2 |
| Spin | Present, but limited by the ball and smooth paddle | Huge, it decides many points |
Pickleball rules that set it apart
The kitchen
On both sides of the net there is a 7 ft (2.13 m) zone called the non-volley zone, or kitchen. Inside it you cannot hit the ball out of the air. That stops players from camping at the net and smashing everything, and it creates the soft, low "dink" game pickleball is known for.
The two-bounce rule
After the serve, the return must bounce once, and so must the third shot. Only after that can players volley.
Who scores
In traditional scoring, only the serving side can score. If the receiving team wins the rally, they do not score; they just win the serve back. Some events and leagues use rally scoring, where every rally counts. In ping pong, every rally is a point for whoever wins it, regardless of who served (see table tennis scoring).
Pickleball paddle vs ping pong paddle
The paddles look like cousins, but they work differently. A pickleball paddle is bigger, with a flat, solid face and no rubber, so it generates far less spin. A ping pong paddle is smaller, with a wooden blade covered in rubber and sponge, designed to grip the ball and spin it hard. In table tennis, the rubber is half the story (see table tennis rubber).
What ping pong players bring to pickleball
Table tennis players often adapt quickly to pickleball, especially in the kitchen game:
- reflexes trained for fast balls at close range;
- touch for short, low balls, much like dinking;
- a feel for paddle angle to block and place the ball.
What changes is the body: the court is bigger, you move more and you need more arm. The pickleball ball spins much less, so exaggerated table tennis spin does not work the same way.
And pickleball players coming to ping pong?
The switch is usually harder. The ping pong ball is much lighter and spins much more. A spin serve can fool anyone who is not used to reading it (see table tennis spin). The good news: doubles experience and net discipline help with positioning.
Is ping pong or pickleball harder?
Most people find pickleball easier to start: the ball is slower, the paddle face is bigger and spin matters less. Ping pong has a steeper learning curve because of speed and spin, but it needs less space and less running. At a high level, both are demanding.
Which should you choose?
- Small space and little gear? Ping pong: a table and two paddles do the job.
- Social doubles, outdoors? Pickleball is very often played that way.
- An Olympic sport with a long-established pro circuit? Table tennis, Olympic since 1988 (see is ping pong a sport?).
- Something gentle for older adults? Both can be adapted. Table tennis requires less movement (see table tennis for seniors).
There is no wrong answer. Plenty of people play both.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between pickleball and ping pong?
Pickleball is played on a 44 x 20 ft court with a solid paddle, a perforated plastic ball and volleys allowed outside the kitchen. Ping pong is played on a 9 x 5 ft table with a rubber-covered paddle and a 2.7 g ball that must always bounce.
Is pickleball the same as table tennis?
No. They are separate sports with their own rules, courts and equipment. They share games to 11, usually, and fast play near the net.
Is ping pong or pickleball harder?
Pickleball is usually easier to start. Ping pong has a steeper learning curve because of the speed and spin of the ball.
Are ping pong players good at pickleball?
They tend to adapt fast at the net thanks to their reflexes and touch, but they need to get used to the bigger court and a ball that spins less.
What is the kitchen in pickleball?
The non-volley zone: a 7 ft area on each side of the net where you cannot hit the ball before it bounces.