Pickleball paddle weight and grip size: a plain guide

Weight decides where the paddle wants to be

Light paddles, around 7.2 ounces, get to the ball quickly. You feel it most at the kitchen line, where points turn into fast hand battles and a heavy head arrives late.

Mid-weight paddles, around 7.8 ounces, carry more of their own momentum. Drives go deeper and returns of serve land closer to the baseline with less effort from your arm. Most of our sets sit here because it suits most new players.

Grip circumference: measure, don't guess

Hold your hand flat and measure from the middle crease of your palm to the tip of your ring finger. Most adults land between 4 and 4.5 inches, which is why our handles sit at about 4.25 inches around.

A grip that's too thin makes you squeeze, and squeezing tires the forearm. One that's too thick keeps you from turning your wrist for spin. If you're unsure, go slightly thin: an overgrip adds size, but nothing takes it away.

Widebody or standard face

Widebody faces run about 8 inches across and give the biggest legal sweet spot. Standard faces are a little narrower and longer, which buys reach and a more predictable block. Beginners usually hit more balls cleanly with widebody; players from tennis often prefer standard.