Indoor vs. Outdoor Pickleballs: What’s the Difference?
Quick answer: Indoor pickleballs usually have about 26 larger holes and softer plastic, so they’re lighter, slower and easier to control on gym floors. Outdoor pickleballs usually have about 40 smaller holes and harder plastic, so they’re faster and handle wind better on rough courts. Both types can be USA Pickleball approved for play anywhere.
Every pickleball looks like a plastic ball with holes. The holes, the plastic and the weight vary, though, and those differences change how fast the ball plays, how high it bounces and how long it lasts. Here’s how to choose.
What is the difference between indoor and outdoor pickleballs?
| Indoor pickleball | Outdoor pickleball | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical holes | About 26 | About 40 |
| Hole size | Larger (about 0.43 in average diameter) | Smaller (about 0.28 in average diameter) |
| Plastic | Softer, thinner wall | Harder, thicker wall |
| Weight | Usually lighter (around 0.8 oz) | Usually heavier (around 0.9 oz) |
| Speed and bounce | Slower, softer feel | Faster, livelier |
| Wind | More affected | Less affected |
| Durability | Softens with use; doesn’t crack easily | Can crack, especially in the cold |
| Best surfaces | Smooth gym floors, wood, indoor sport courts | Asphalt, concrete, acrylic outdoor courts |
Hole diameters from Pickleball Warehouse; hole counts and weights vary by model.
How many holes does a pickleball have?
USA Pickleball allows 26 to 40 circular holes, spaced evenly (USA Pickleball Equipment Standards Manual). Indoor balls usually sit at the low end, with 26 large holes, and outdoor balls usually sit at the high end, with 40 small holes. Some balls fall in between. Here are some examples:
| Ball | Intended use | Holes |
|---|---|---|
| Gamma Photon Indoor | Indoor | 26 |
| Franklin X-26 | Indoor | 26 |
| Wilson TRU 32 | Indoor and outdoor | 32 |
| Selkirk Pro S1 | Indoor and outdoor | 38 |
| Gamma Photon Outdoor | Outdoor | 40 |
| Franklin X-40 | Outdoor | 40 |
Hole counts from manufacturer and retailer product descriptions.
Do indoor and outdoor pickleballs play differently?
Yes. Large holes and soft plastic make an indoor ball slower and softer off the paddle, which suits smooth gym floors where a hard ball would skid. They also make it easier to control in long rallies. Outdoor balls are firmer and livelier, and their smaller holes help them hold a straighter line in the wind. On an outdoor court, an indoor ball tends to feel sluggish and gets pushed around by the wind. Indoors, an outdoor ball can feel fast and skiddy.
Can you use outdoor pickleballs indoors?
Yes. The rules don’t stop you from using either type anywhere: any ball on USA Pickleball’s approved list may be used indoors or outdoors (Rule 3.C.1). In practice, many indoor facilities prefer softer indoor balls, and some players use an outdoor ball indoors because it plays faster. Whatever you choose, agree on the ball before play starts. In tournaments, the tournament director picks the ball.
What does USA Pickleball require for an approved ball?
To be used in sanctioned play, a ball must appear on USA Pickleball’s approved ball list and carry the manufacturer’s name or logo and the “USA Pickleball Approved” marking (Rules 3.C.1 and 3.C.2). It’s tested against these specifications:
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 2.87–2.97 in (72.9–75.4 mm) |
| Roundness | Within ±0.020 in |
| Weight | 0.78–0.935 oz (22.1–26.5 g) |
| Bounce | 30–34 in when dropped from 78 in onto a granite plate, at 70 °F ± 5 °F |
| Compression | Less than 43 lbf |
| Holes | 26–40 circular holes, evenly spaced |
| Hardness | Measured on the Durometer D scale but no longer a pass/fail requirement |
Source: USA Pickleball Equipment Standards Manual and 2026 Official Rulebook, Section 3.
How long do pickleballs last?
There’s no fixed lifespan. It depends on the ball, the surface, the temperature and how hard you hit. Outdoor balls tend to crack on rough courts and in cold weather. Indoor balls rarely crack but go soft and lose their bounce, and sometimes go out of round. Replace a ball when it cracks, wobbles in flight, feels noticeably soft, or bounces differently from a new one. During a game, a cracked or broken ball can be replaced (Rule 10.G).
Which pickleballs should I buy?
- Mostly indoors on a gym floor: a 26-hole indoor ball.
- Mostly outdoors: a 40-hole outdoor ball. Buy a few extra in cold weather.
- Both, or tournament play: check which ball your club or event uses. Several approved balls with 32–38 holes are designed for both.
- Any sanctioned play: choose a ball marked USA Pickleball Approved.
Browse our pickleballs, and see our pickleball equipment and gear guide for everything else you need.
The bottom line
Indoor balls have about 26 large holes and soft plastic for control on smooth floors. Outdoor balls have about 40 small holes and harder plastic for speed and wind resistance on rough courts. Both are legal anywhere if they’re approved, so choose by where you play and how you like the ball to feel.
Frequently asked questions
Are indoor and outdoor pickleballs the same size?
Yes. All USA Pickleball approved balls must measure 2.87–2.97 inches in diameter and weigh 0.78–0.935 ounces, whether they’re made for indoor or outdoor play. They differ in holes, plastic and weight within those limits.
Why do outdoor pickleballs crack?
Outdoor balls use harder plastic, which becomes more brittle in cold weather and wears on rough concrete or asphalt. Repeated hard hits eventually split the shell, usually along a seam or between holes.
What color pickleball is best?
Choose a color that contrasts with the court, the surroundings and the background. USA Pickleball requires the ball to be one uniform color, apart from identification markings (Rule 3.C.3), so the ball is easy to see. Yellow and orange are common outdoors, and many indoor players use colors that stand out against the floor and walls.
Is a 40-hole ball an outdoor ball?
Usually. Most 40-hole balls, such as the Franklin X-40 and Gamma Photon Outdoor, are designed for outdoor play. The hole count is a strong clue, but the manufacturer’s description tells you the intended surface.
Can I use a tennis ball for pickleball?
No. A pickleball is a perforated plastic ball made to USA Pickleball specifications. A tennis ball is a pressurized felt ball and doesn’t meet the pickleball rules.