How to Choose the Right Grip Size for Padel

Grip size is one of those things that players adjust constantly — or never touch and wonder why their forehand feels inconsistent. The wrong size doesn't just affect comfort. It changes how much wrist action you can apply, how quickly you can swing, and how much work your forearm has to do to stabilize the racket through contact.

How to measure your grip size

The most reliable method: hold your dominant hand out flat, fingers together, palm facing up. Using a ruler, measure from the midline crease of your palm (the line that runs horizontally near the base of your fingers) to the tip of your ring finger. That measurement in centimeters maps roughly to grip size.

• Under 18cm — Extra small (XS)
• 18–19.5cm — Small (S)
• 19.5–21cm — Medium (M)
• 21–22.5cm — Large (L)
• Over 22.5cm — Extra large (XL)

This gives you a starting point. A lot of players end up between sizes, and an overgrip adds 0.5–1mm of circumference — which is often exactly enough to bridge the gap.

The finger-gap test

Grip the racket in your normal forehand position. Using your non-dominant hand, try to slide your index finger into the gap between your fingertips and your palm. If there's no gap — the grip is too small. If there's more than a finger's width — too large. One finger fitting snugly with a little resistance: ideal.

Small vs large: the real tradeoffs

A smaller grip gives you more wrist freedom. This means easier spin generation and faster swing adjustments, but at the cost of less natural stability through the contact zone. Players who rely on heavy topspin or play a lot of wristy volleys often go slightly smaller than their measured size.

A larger grip is more stable at contact, reduces arm torque, and is often recommended if you've had lateral elbow issues. The tradeoff is that wrist snap is slower, so heavy spin play and sharp angle shots require more deliberate technique.

What overgrips do to size

Most players add at least one overgrip on top of the base grip. Each layer adds roughly 0.5mm of circumference. This is worth knowing before you order: if you're at the top of a size range and always play with two overgrips, you may be running larger than you think. Test your actual playing configuration, not the bare handle.

Grip size and injury

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is often linked to grip issues — but not always in the direction you'd expect. Playing with a grip that's too small causes you to squeeze harder to control the racket, which increases forearm tension over a long session. A grip that's too large can cause you to open your hand during the swing to compensate for the circumference, loading the wrist extensor tendons differently. If you're experiencing forearm or elbow fatigue after play, it's worth ruling out grip size before assuming it's a technique issue.