Padel scoring guide
Padel Tie-Break Rules: Scoring, serving & examples.
You're playing padel, the set reaches 6-6, and someone announces it's time for a tie-break. But who serves first? Is it first to 7 or 10? And when do you switch sides?
Here's everything you need to know about padel tie-break rules.
When Does a Tie-Break Happen in Padel?
In a standard padel set, the first team to win six games with at least a two-game lead wins the set.
If the score reaches 6-6 in games, a tie-break decides the winner of the set.
Instead of the usual 15, 30 and 40 scoring, tie-break points are counted numerically: 1, 2, 3 and so on.
How Many Points Do You Need to Win?
A standard padel tie-break is first to 7 points, with a minimum two-point lead.
For example:
| Tie-break score | Result |
|---|---|
| 7-3 | Team A wins |
| 7-5 | Team A wins |
| 7-6 | Keep playing |
| 8-6 | Team A wins |
| 9-7 | Team A wins |
There is no fixed maximum score. The tie-break continues until one team leads by two points.
The team that wins the tie-break wins the set 7-6.
Who Serves First in a Padel Tie-Break?
This is where things can get confusing.
The first server serves just one point, from the right side of the court. Every server after that serves two consecutive points: first from the left, then from the right.
The player whose turn it would normally be to serve starts the tie-break. After that, players follow the established serving order.
For example, with players A1 and A2 against B1 and B2:
- Point 1: A1 serves.
- Points 2-3: B1 serves.
- Points 4-5: A2 serves.
- Points 6-7: B2 serves.
- Points 8-9: A1 serves again.
The sequence continues until one team wins.
Interactive tie-break explorer
See the serving order play out.
Set the score and first server to see who serves next, which side they serve from, and when players change ends.
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When Do You Change Ends?
During a tie-break, players change ends after every six points played.
That means switching after the 6th, 12th, 18th points and so on.
Unlike normal changeovers, play continues without a standard rest break.
Who Serves First in the Next Set?
The team that did not serve the first point of the tie-break serves first in the following set.
This is easy to forget, especially after a long tie-break.
What Is a Super Tie-Break in Padel?
A super tie-break, also called a match tie-break, is commonly used as an alternative to playing a full deciding set.
Instead of playing another set, teams play a tie-break to 10 points, winning by at least two points.
For example:
- 10-7: Winner decided.
- 10-9: Keep playing.
- 12-10: Winner decided.
Not every competition uses this format, so check the match rules before starting.
Source: International Padel Federation - Official Rules of Padel (2026)