Buying guide
Indoor vs outdoor pickleball balls: what is the difference?
Two balls that look almost the same can play like different sports. Here’s what the hole count and hardness change, and which one belongs on your court.
Quick answer
Outdoor balls are harder and have about 40 small holes. They play faster and hold their line in wind. Indoor balls are softer, with about 26 larger holes, so they play slower and give you more control. Outdoor balls for outdoor courts, indoor balls for gyms.
Side-by-side comparison
| Outdoor ball | Indoor ball | |
|---|---|---|
| Holes | About 40, smaller | About 26, larger |
| Plastic | Harder, thicker | Softer, thinner |
| Weight | Slightly heavier | Slightly lighter |
| Speed | Faster, more bounce | Slower, easier to control |
| Wind | Holds its line better | Drifts easily |
| Wears out by | Cracking, worse in cold | Going soft or out of round |
| Best on | Rough outdoor hard courts | Smooth gym and wood floors |
Why the holes matter
Air moves through the holes in flight. On an outdoor ball, many small holes and a bit of extra weight help it cut through wind. The bigger holes on an indoor ball slow it down, which suits still indoor air and floors that already feel quick. The rules allow anywhere from 26 to 40 round holes, and these two designs sit at opposite ends of that range.
Which one should you buy?
- You play outside on concrete or asphalt courts: outdoor balls.
- You play in a school gym or rec center: indoor balls, unless your club says otherwise.
- You play in cold weather outside: outdoor balls, but expect them to crack sooner. Buy a multi-pack.
- You’re a beginner: use whatever your local group plays with. Learning on a different ball from everyone else only makes the game feel harder.
- You play tournaments: practice with the ball your event uses. It must be on the USA Pickleball approved ball list, and your paddle on the approved paddle list (is my paddle legal?).
When to replace a ball
- Any visible crack, even a small one.
- The ball feels soft or squashes when you squeeze it.
- It wobbles in the air or kicks off in odd directions. That usually means it’s out of round.
What we are researching next
Next up is our best pickleball balls guide. It compares USA Pickleball approval status, owner-reported crack rates and price per ball, because a cheap pack that cracks in a week isn’t cheap. The point is value over a whole season.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use outdoor pickleball balls indoors?
Yes, and some indoor players do. Expect a faster game, though, with a bounce that’s harder to control on a smooth gym floor. That’s why most indoor clubs stick with indoor balls.
Can you use indoor pickleball balls outside?
You can, but they won’t last. They’re light and soft, so the wind pushes them around and a rough court wears them out quickly. Keep them for the gym.
Why do outdoor pickleball balls crack?
Because the plastic is harder, and hard plastic turns brittle in the cold. Add enough hard hits and it splits. Once a ball cracks, its bounce goes unpredictable, so replace it.
How many holes does a pickleball have?
The rules allow 26 to 40 round holes. Indoor balls usually have about 26 larger holes and outdoor balls about 40 smaller holes.
Which balls are allowed in tournaments?
For USA Pickleball sanctioned events, the tournament director chooses the ball, and it must be on the USA Pickleball approved ball list.
Sources
Checked on Nov 7, 2026. Rules change, so the official pages win if anything here is out of date.