Padel Levels Explained: How to Find Your Level

In short

Levels on PadelPage: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Numeric scales: Often 0 or 1 to 7, and they vary by club
Best match: Four players of a similar level
When unsure: Pick the lower level

Why padel levels matter

Padel is played in doubles on a small, enclosed court, so one player who is much stronger or weaker than the rest changes the whole match. Points end too fast and nobody really enjoys it. Levels are a shared shorthand that tells four strangers they will have a good game together.

This matters most in open matches, where players who don't know each other fill the free spots. Open matches work best when all four players are close in level: a small gap helps everyone improve, while a big one usually means a short, frustrating hour.

On PadelPage, open matches use three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. You choose the level when you book a court and create an open match (up to 4 players on doubles courts, 2 on singles), and you can filter open matches near you by level.

Because balance matters so much, pick your level honestly. When you are unsure between two, choose the lower one and say so in the group chat or the invite. Players rarely mind a slightly stronger partner, but an overestimated level can spoil the match for all four.

Beginner padel level

The beginner level is for players who are new to padel or have only a few sessions behind them. If you are still getting used to how padel works, start here.

Beginner matches are relaxed and social, and nobody expects perfect technique. Knowing the basic padel rules, especially how the walls work, makes your first games much easier. Typical signs you are a beginner:

You are still learning the grip, the forehand and the backhand.
You are working on getting the underhand serve in consistently.
You are learning to let the ball come off the back wall instead of rushing to hit it.
Rallies are short and most points end with an unforced error.
You are not yet sure where to stand in relation to your partner.

Intermediate padel level

Intermediate is the widest padel level and where most regular club players sit. Many clubs informally split it into lower and upper intermediate, so if you hesitate, check who has already joined an open match before you sign up.

The walls have become part of your game rather than an obstacle. Because they send the ball back at very different angles, a good feel for the padel court dimensions helps a lot. Typical signs you are intermediate:

You keep consistent rallies of ten shots or more.
You return most balls off the back wall and are getting comfortable with the side walls.
You volley at the net with control instead of just blocking the ball.
You use the lob to push your opponents back and take the net.
You are starting to play the bandeja, the controlled overhead that keeps you at the net.
You understand positioning and move up and back together with your partner.

Advanced padel level

Advanced players control the game instead of reacting to it. They choose the pace, height and direction of every ball, and they build points patiently until a clear chance appears.

If you are not sure you belong here, you probably don't yet, and that is fine: a strong intermediate match is usually more fun than an advanced one spent defending. Typical signs of an advanced player:

You control pace and direction, from deep lobs to low balls at your opponents' feet.
Your bandeja and víbora are reliable, and you choose between them on purpose.
You finish points with smashes and also attack high balls coming off the back wall instead of only defending them.
You read the game, anticipate where the ball is going and spot your opponents' weaker side.
You often play competitive matches, leagues or tournaments.

Padel level numbers: an approximate guide

Many clubs and apps use numeric padel levels, often on a scale from 0 or 1 up to 7. A higher number means a stronger player, but each scale has its own steps and criteria.

There is no single official scale, so a 3.5 at one club is not guaranteed to be a 3.5 elsewhere. If you have been given a number, treat it as a starting point and check it against the skill descriptions above. The table below is only a rough guide.

Approximate correspondence between numeric scales and PadelPage levels. Scales differ between clubs and apps.
PadelPage level	Approximate number	On court
Beginner	≈ 0 to 2	Learning the strokes, the serve and the back wall
Intermediate	≈ 2.5 to 4.5	Steady rallies, volleys, lobs, first bandejas
Advanced	≈ 5 and up	Bandeja, víbora and smash under control, competitive play

How to find your padel level

The quickest way to find your padel level is an honest self-check. Think about how you play in a normal match, not on your best day.

Coming from tennis or squash? You will often progress quickly, because racket skills, footwork and a feel for angles carry over. The walls are usually the main thing to learn, and the shorter, solid padel racket takes some adjusting, so many tennis and squash players start around beginner to intermediate and move up after a few weeks.

Now answer the questions below. If most of the first three are a no, choose beginner. If the first five are mostly yes, you are intermediate. If nearly all are yes, advanced is probably right.

Can you serve underhand and get most serves in?
Can you return a ball after it comes off the back wall?
Can you keep a 10-shot rally going?
Do you volley consistently at the net?
Do you use the lob on purpose to take the net?
Can you play a bandeja that keeps you at the net?
Do you have a reliable víbora and a smash that finishes points?
Do you play competitive matches or tournaments regularly?

How to move up a padel level

Moving up a padel level comes from repetition and smart choices, not just more matches. These habits make the biggest difference:

Practise the walls. Have a partner feed balls into the back wall and work on letting them come off before you hit.
Take lessons or join drills. A coach fixes technique issues that matches alone tend to reinforce.
Work on footwork and positioning. Small adjusting steps and moving as a pair win more points than power.
Learn one new shot at a time, such as the bandeja, and use it in matches even when it fails at first.
Play with slightly better players. One step up pushes you without leaving you out of the rally, so try an open match one level above yours now and then.

Frequently asked questions

What padel level am I?

If you are still learning the strokes and the back wall, you are a beginner. If you rally steadily and volley well, you are intermediate, and if you control the game with bandejas, víboras and smashes, you are advanced. When unsure, pick the lower level.

What is a 3.5 padel level?

On many 0 to 7 scales, a 3.5 is roughly a mid intermediate player who rallies consistently, plays off the walls and volleys at the net. Scales differ between clubs and apps, so treat this as an approximate guide only.

What level should a tennis player choose?

Most tennis players start around beginner or low intermediate, because racket skills transfer but the walls are new. If you have never played with walls, choose beginner and move up once balls off the back wall feel natural.

Can beginners join open matches?

Yes. Pick open matches marked beginner so the other three players are at a similar stage, which means longer rallies and a more relaxed game.

How many padel levels are there?

There is no single official system. PadelPage uses three levels for open matches, beginner, intermediate and advanced, while many clubs and apps use numeric scales, often from 0 or 1 up to 7.

How long does it take to move up a padel level?

It depends on how often you play and whether you train specific skills. Regular matches combined with lessons or drills, especially on the walls, are the fastest route from one level to the next.

Ready to play?

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Padel levels explained: find your level and play balanced matches