Let’s be real. To the untrained eye, a pickleball is just a wiffle ball that went to private school. But in reality, those holes are the only thing keeping your game from becoming a literal wind-blown disaster.
A pickleball has between 26 and 40 holes, but the exact number depends on whether you are playing indoors or outdoors.
According to USA Pickleball (the sport’s governing body), any ball used in official play must fall within this range to ensure consistent aerodynamics and flight.
The Two Standard Types
While the rules allow for a range, most manufacturers follow these specific counts:
Outdoor Balls (40 Holes):
This is the ball you’ll see most often. It’s usually neon yellow, loud as a gunshot, and has 40 tiny holes.
These have more holes, but they are smaller. This design helps the ball cut through wind and maintain a stable flight path on open-air courts. They are usually heavier and made of harder plastic.
Reference: Franklin X-40 (the name even references the 40 holes).
Indoor Balls (26 Holes):
If you’re playing in a gym, you’re using the 26-hole ball.
These have fewer holes, but they are larger in diameter. Since there is no wind indoors, the larger holes create more drag to keep the ball at a manageable speed on smooth gym floors. They are lighter and made of softer plastic.
Reference: Onix Pure 2.
Summary Comparison Table
| Feature | Outdoor Ball | Indoor Ball |
| Hole Count | 40 (typically) | 26 (typically) |
| Hole Size | Smaller | Larger |
| Weight | Heavier (~0.9 oz) | Lighter (~0.8 oz) |
| Primary Goal | Wind resistance | Control & Soft bounce |
Fun Fact: If you ever see a ball with 32 holes, it’s usually a hybrid ball designed to work in both environments, though it is less common in competitive tournament play.
