Pickleball is often compared to different racquet sports. Its paddles are likened to ping pong. Its physical size occupies the same area as a badminton court. That iconic plastic ball reminds onlookers of a Wiffle® ball.

So many comparisons can be made, but we — as pickleball players — know the truth!

Pickleball is inimitable. It’s a social sport with an addictively positive community. Its origins may be in table tennis and badminton, but it has its own place in the world of racquet sports.

Still, that doesn’t stop the curiosity!

It’s a less common comparison than tennis and badminton, but pickleball and squash are sometimes lumped together. They are, after all, both under that “racquet sport” umbrella.

So, how do these two sports measure up to one another?

Keep reading to learn more!

The Similarities Between Squash and Pickleball

In the battle of pickleball vs squash, there are few definite similarities. Despite their shared classification, these two sports have different origins and rules. Thus, it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that they have entirely different goals and rules.

So, let’s make things easier! We’ll start with the similarities between these racquet sports.

They’re Both Racquet Sports!

Obviously, both pickleball and squash are racquet sports. That means they both use a ball and some sort of hitting implement.

Both sports can also be played with two or four players.

They Share Some Rules

You’ll also find a few overlaps in the rulebooks of these sports.

Both pickleball and squash are typically played as “best of” games. (However, pickleball usually crowns the best of three games. Squash is slightly longer, requiring that a player win the majority of five rounds.) Both games generally cap at 11 points and require a two-point lead.

(As an interesting aside, it’s worth mentioning that squash hasn’t always been this way! It used to be a nine-point game. However, this has since changed.)

Being within the “racquet sport” category also means these sports share similar baselines. Players must avoid “losing” the ball or allowing it to bounce too many times before returning it.

The Biggest Differences Between Pickleball and Squash

Nonetheless, there are more differences than similarities.

In fact, the vast divide between these sports is likely the cause of their infrequent association. They’re generally considered vastly different sports, and that’s because they are.

Let’s break the ice by highlighting the key differences. Think of these as your big deal-breakers. They’re the first thing anyone watching these sports will notice.

A Different Playing Area

Despite its larger court, pickleball is a relatively laid-back sport. Pickleball courts are 22 feet wide and 44 feet long (6.1×13.4 meters). This area includes mirrored playing areas and a central net. (The court size may differ slightly. Some pickleball courts are larger!) There may be a fence or wall around the area, but these features are not required.

Comparatively, squash plays out on a smaller court. Squash courts measure 21 feet wide and 32 feet deep (6.4×9.8 meters) and are enclosed by walls on all sides. The walls are not optional; an enclosed court is a necessity! Squash courts are also asymmetrical. One half of a squash court resembles a pickleball court, while the opposing half lacks markings.

Note, too, that squash courts also have markings on the walls, creating a three-dimensional court.

Different Stuff for Different Sports

You’ll also notice that players use different equipment.

Start with the paddle.

Pickleball has a solid paddle, often equated to a ping pong paddle. While there are few set rules about these paddles, they’re often made of lightweight materials. Most are square or rectangular.

Meanwhile, squash players use mesh paddles. Squash paddles (or rackets) are like tennis rackets but are typically lighter and slightly smaller.

Now, look at the ball.

A pickleball ball is a hollow, perforated plastic ball. Its size varies, but balls must have 26 or 40 evenly-spaced holes. While outdoor pickleballs are often made with harder plastic, both indoor and outdoor balls are made from relatively soft materials. A good pickleball should have a moderate amount of bounce.

Conversely, squash players use a hard, solid plastic ball with no holes. A squash ball has less bounce and is more standardized. It would make a poor pickleball, as it lacks the aerodynamics and flexibility of that iconic perforated polymer ball!

Why the Net? What’s With the Walls!?

Despite being racquet sports, both pickleball and squash have different goals.

Pickleball players try to hit a ball over a net. There’s more nuance to this, of course, but the net is the most important part of this point. Like a tennis net, a pickleball net divides the court in half; each side is a mirror image of the other. Pickleball nets are 34 inches tall at the center (86.4 centimeters).

Squash players bounce the ball off the four walls surrounding the court. A “tin” line stretches across these walls, marking a point 19 inches (48 centimeters) above the court surface. Players must keep the ball bounce above the tin line. Thus, the tin line can be considered squash’s equivalent of a net.

Watch That Scoring System!

While it’s not a clear visual distinction, even a few minutes of watching squash players will tell you something important.

Unlike pickleball, which has a “side-out” scoring system, squash players use a PAR (“point-a-rally”) ruleset. This means that anyone can score in squash, including the receiving team.

Comparatively (and as a bit of a refresher of your pickleball basics), only the serving team scores points in pickleball. This is the so-called “side-out” scoring system. It gives pickleball players a slight advantage when serving, although the two-bounce rule slightly negates those perks.

How Pickleball and Squash Are Different Games

We could dive even deeper into the rules, but we want to keep this blog post short!

Instead, let’s wrap things up with a look at the stylistic differences between pickleball and squash.

Both sports are the “odd ones out” in racquet sports. They have non-standard rules and are often considered unlike other racquet sports. Nonetheless, both pickleball and squash have unique qualities. If you’ve played squash, you’ll recognize the palpable difference between a pickleball game and a squash match. The same can be said for pickleball players trying out squash!

Pickleball Is Gentler

Pickleball is known for being a “gentle” sport. It places little stress on joints and can be played by anyone of any age. Much of this comes from its relatively slow pace. Players can easily conquer the court with precision and placement rather than sheer force.

However, squash is more rigorous. That hard rubber ball makes squash a fast-paced game. Squash players often focus on speed and power over precision and control.

In a tight spot, a squash player is more likely to smash the ball. A pickleball player in the same situation is more inclined to apply a gentle touch. When faced with tough returns, squash enthusiasts are more likely to use quick movements; pickleball players will prefer precise, measured responses.

Squash Is More Complex

While it’s a great workout, squash is considered a difficult racquet sport to learn. Its three-dimensional playing area makes for complex rules.

Perhaps this is due to the difference in origins. Pickleball is a modern invention. It was born from a businessman’s need to entertain his family. It was designed with accessibility in mind. The rules were simple enough for children to understand, while the engaging and varied gameplay appealed to adults.

Squash is a much older sport. First conceived in 19th century England, the sport appealed to and was meant for highly educated young adults. Its fiercely competitive atmosphere grew from its collegiate roots, while its popularity among the elite birthed a highly mathematic game of angles and gravitational predictions.

(And here’s a fun fact! Squash’s popularity as a high-class go-to for staying active earned it space on the ill-fated RMS Titanic. The ship’s squash courts were reserved for first-class passengers. They were placed centrally on G Deck, just above the mechanical workings of the ship’s lowest level. True to the expectations of its wealthy clientele, a good workout on the ship’s squash court went for an eye-watering rate equal; today, in 2024, you’d pay $15.64 per game!)

Learn More About Pickleball

None of this is meant to disparage either sport!

Pickleball and squash are equally valuable and capable of delivering an intense workout. Players can make games as physically demanding as they want. It’s all a matter of personal preference.

However, at Pickle Goddesses, our hearts belong to pickleball!

And we invite you to join us! Browse the blog to learn more about pickleball. We also encourage you to share this post if it helped you understand the differences between squash and pickleball.