Pickleball paddle specs explained
What each number on a paddle's spec sheet means, and what counts as low, typical or high across the 812 paddles in our database.
Swing weight
How heavy a paddle feels when you swing it, measured about the handle rather than on a scale.
Twist weight
How much a paddle resists twisting in your hand on off-centre hits; the measured size of the sweet spot.
Static weight
What the paddle weighs on a scale, in ounces. Less useful than swing weight for predicting feel.
Balance point
The distance from the butt of the handle to the point where the paddle balances, in millimetres.
Core thickness
The thickness of the paddle's core in millimetres; 14mm and 16mm are the common choices.
Face material
What the hitting surface is made of: carbon fibre, fiberglass, a composite or a hybrid.
Paddle shape
The outline of the face: elongated, standard, wide body or hybrid.
Build generation (Gen 1 to Gen 4)
Shorthand for how a paddle is constructed: cold-pressed, thermoformed, foam-edged or foam-core.
Spin (RPM)
How fast the ball rotates after a standardised stroke, measured in revolutions per minute.
Power (mph)
The ball speed a paddle produces on a standardised full drive, in miles per hour.
Pop (mph)
The ball speed a paddle produces on a short punch stroke, the kind used in hands battles at the kitchen.
Grip length
The length of the handle in inches, from the butt cap to the start of the face.