Racquetball vs. Pickleball: Key Differences and Similarities
Quick answer: Racquetball is played inside a closed 20 × 40 ft court, where the walls and ceiling are in play and there’s no net. Pickleball is played over a 34-inch net on a 20 × 44 ft court with a 7-foot non-volley zone. Racquetball is faster and more physically demanding; pickleball relies more on touch and placement.
All sports ebb and flow in popularity. At one time, indoor racquetball was the hottest racquet sport around, and clubs were built just for it. Now pickleball is enjoying a surge of interest all over the country. People who used to play tennis or other sports are finding pickleball an interesting game to play, even at ages when other sports aren’t realistic.
The two sports are really quite different, but they have a few things in common. Here’s how they compare.
What is the difference between racquetball and pickleball?
| Racquetball | Pickleball | |
|---|---|---|
| Court | Closed court 20 ft wide × 40 ft long × 20 ft high | Open court 20 ft wide × 44 ft long |
| Walls and ceiling | Front, side and back walls and the ceiling are all in play | Not used; the lines are the boundaries |
| Net | None | 36 in high at the sidelines, 34 in at the center |
| Serve | Bounce the ball in the service zone, hit the front wall first, land beyond the short line; two serves allowed | Underhand volley serve or drop serve, diagonally; must clear the non-volley zone; one serve |
| Scoring (standard) | Only the serving side scores. Games to 15; a tiebreaker to 11 if each side wins one | Only the serving side scores. Games usually to 11, win by 2; rally scoring is a provisional option |
| Special rules | Ball may be played off any wall or the ceiling | Two-bounce rule and non-volley zone (“the kitchen”) |
| Players | Singles or doubles; “cut-throat” for three players in casual play | Singles or doubles |
| Required safety gear | Lensed eyewear meeting ASTM F803 and a wrist cord in USA Racquetball sanctioned play | None required by the rules |
Based on the USA Racquetball rulebook (September 2026) and the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook.
How are racquetball and pickleball similar?
- Skills: Both are easier to pick up than tennis. The smaller court and shorter hitting implement make both easier to learn, and both reward good hand-eye coordination and quick reactions. A racquetball can be hit much faster than a pickleball.
- Court size: The courts are the same width (20 ft), and a pickleball court is only 4 feet longer (44 ft vs. 40 ft).
- Muscles used: Both rely on arm and wrist strength to drive the ball and use the legs actively. Strong legs matter more in racquetball, but they help your shot-making in both.
- Shoes: Neither sport requires special shoes, but both are played better in court shoes rather than running or basketball shoes, because court shoes help with lateral movement and stopping and starting.
- Players and scoring: Both can be played as singles or doubles, and in standard scoring only the serving side can win a point.
Both can be played indoors or outdoors, although outdoor racquetball courts are relatively rare and hard to find. This guide covers standard indoor racquetball.
How do the balls, racquets and paddles compare?
| Racquetball | Pickleball | |
|---|---|---|
| Ball | Hollow rubber ball, about 2 1/4 in across, about 1.4 oz | Hard plastic ball with 26–40 holes, 2.87–2.97 in across, 0.78–0.935 oz |
| Hitting implement | Strung racquet, up to 22 in long | Solid-face paddle; length plus width no more than 24 in, length no more than 17 in |
| Typical weight | About 155–190 g (5.5–6.7 oz) unstrung; e.g., HEAD Radical 160 is 160 g | About 7.3–8.4 oz for most paddles |
| Typical grip | Small, commonly 3 5/8 in | About 4–4 1/2 in around |
| Upkeep | Restring periodically, like a tennis racquet | No strings. A cracked, dented or worn-smooth face means a new paddle |
Ball and size specs are from the USA Racquetball and USA Pickleball rules; neither sport limits racquet or paddle weight. Typical weights are from manufacturer specs and Pickleball Central.
The pickleball paddle is shorter than a racquetball racquet and has a solid face, which makes spin harder to generate. Paddles are usually heavier, though. Materials and manufacturing methods are very different. Learn more in our racquetball racquets buying guide and pickleball paddle buyer’s guide.
Pickleballs come in two common styles. Balls with larger holes are customarily used indoors and balls with smaller holes outdoors, although any approved ball can be used in either setting.
How is scoring different in racquetball and pickleball?
In both sports, standard scoring awards points only to the serving side. The game lengths differ:
- Racquetball: A match is the best of three games. The first two games are played to 15 points, and if each side wins one, a tiebreaker is played to 11. The first side to reach the score wins; there’s no win-by-2 requirement.
- Pickleball: Games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by 2. Tournaments may also use games to 15 or 21. Rally scoring, where a point is scored on every rally, is a provisional option in the USA Pickleball rules.
What rules does pickleball have that racquetball doesn’t?
The net. In pickleball, every shot has to clear the net. In racquetball there’s no net, and points are often won by driving the ball low into the corner of the front wall. Hitting down rather than up and over a net is the hardest adjustment for tennis and pickleball players who take up racquetball.
The non-volley zone. The non-volley zone, or “kitchen,” is the 7-foot area on each side of the net. You may stand in it, but you can’t volley (hit the ball out of the air) while touching it. The serve must also clear it: a serve that lands in the non-volley zone, including on its line, is a fault. Racquetball has no comparable restriction.
The two-bounce rule. In pickleball, the serve and the return of serve must each bounce before they’re hit. This very important rule slows the start of every point and significantly affects play.
How do the walls and ceiling work in racquetball?
In racquetball, the walls are both the boundary and a key part of strategy. Every shot must reach the front wall before it touches the floor, but it can hit the side walls, the ceiling or the back wall on the way. Balls that pass you can still be played off the back wall, and players use the walls for angle shots and passing shots. In pickleball, the boundaries are lines, and a ball that lands outside them is out.
Which is a better workout, racquetball or pickleball?
Racquetball is generally the more vigorous workout. Players must move quickly from side to side and front to back, often several times within a single point, and hitting a shot usually takes more strength to be effective.
Pickleball covers less space than other racquet sports, but you’re still on your feet and moving. Many shots are dinks or drops that aren’t physically demanding, yet rallies can go on for many strokes before a point is won. Many points are won through finesse, not power.
What gear do I need for racquetball and pickleball?
- Racquetball: a racquetball racquet with a wrist cord, racquetball balls, eyewear designed for racquetball (lensed eyewear meeting ASTM F803 is required in sanctioned play), court shoes, and a glove if you like a firmer hold.
- Pickleball: a pickleball paddle, pickleball balls for indoor or outdoor play, and pickleball shoes or other court shoes.
The bottom line
Both sports enjoy legions of enthusiastic players. Choose racquetball for a fast, high-intensity indoor workout; choose pickleball for an easy-to-learn, social game that rewards touch and strategy. Look to TennisRacquets.com to equip you for both, and contact us if you have questions.
Frequently asked questions
Is a pickleball court bigger than a racquetball court?
Slightly. A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. A racquetball court is the same width but 40 feet long, and it is enclosed by walls 20 feet high, with a back wall at least 12 feet high.
Is racquetball harder than pickleball?
Most players find racquetball harder on the body. The ball moves faster, you cover the whole court and you play off the walls and ceiling. Pickleball is easier to learn, but its soft game at the kitchen takes time to master.
How do you score in racquetball?
Only the serving side scores. A match is best of three: the first two games go to 15 points and, if needed, a tiebreaker goes to 11. The first side to reach the score wins, with no win-by-2 requirement.
What is the two-bounce rule in pickleball?
The serve and the return of serve must each bounce once before they are hit. After those two bounces, players may volley the ball, except while standing in the non-volley zone.
Do you need eye protection for racquetball?
Yes in sanctioned play. USA Racquetball requires every player to wear lensed eyewear designed for racquet sports that meets the ASTM F803 standard. It is strongly recommended for casual play too.
Is a pickleball paddle lighter than a racquetball racquet?
Usually not. Most pickleball paddles weigh about 7.3–8.4 oz, while racquetball racquets typically weigh about 155–190 grams (5.5–6.7 oz) unstrung. The paddle is shorter, though: no more than 17 inches long versus up to 22 inches.