USA Pickleball Approved Paddles: How to Check Yours
How to check a paddle is USA Pickleball approved: official list steps, the equipment standard limits with rule numbers, a planner and three approved paddles.
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Quick answer
USA Pickleball says equipment used in a sanctioned tournament must be named on its approved list, and players are responsible for confirming that their paddle is listed as Pass. The official Approved Paddle List searches by brand and model. For casual play, USA Pickleball says decertified paddles can still be used.
- Check. Search the official list by brand, then model. Status must read Pass.
- Match. Entries are per variant, so match thickness, weight and shape.
- Rules. The Equipment Standards Manual sets the limits. The table below lists them with rule numbers.
Check your paddle: three questions
Say where you will play, what you know about your model and whether it comes in variants. You get the steps that match, with the official list one click away.
This planner points you to the official USA Pickleball list and restates its rules. It does not certify a paddle. Only the official list does.
Three paddles that state approval
Each paddle below states USA Pickleball approval on its maker page and has a Pass entry on the official list, read in November 2026. Check the exact variant you buy. Paddlory earns a commission on qualifying purchases through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air S2
Selkirk page: USAPA-approved. Official list: Vanguard Power Air S2 Midweight, Pass, added 02/14/2022. The listing covers three lines, so choose Power Air, S2, Midweight.
Selkirk AMPED Control S2
Selkirk page: USA Pickleball-approved. Official list: AMPED Control S2 Midweight and Lightweight, both Pass. The listing mixes shapes and weights, so choose Control, S2 and your weight.
JOOLA Perseus 3S Dual 16 mm
JOOLA page: USAP certified, Yes. Official list: Ben Johns Perseus 3S Dual 16mm, Pass, added 11/26/2024. The listing mixes shapes and thicknesses, so choose Perseus 16mm.
Video
We did not find a video that covers checking approval and meets our standard, with a transcript on topic and no store push, so this page has none. The official list below is the source that counts.
What approval requires
Rule numbers refer to the USA Pickleball Equipment Standards Manual, revision 3.0, January 2025. Read the current manual before an event, because USA Pickleball can update it.
| Requirement | What the manual says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Surface roughness | Average no greater than 30 micrometers Rz and 40 micrometers Rt, six directions per face. No single reading above 33 Rz or 44 Rt | Equipment Standards Manual, 2.E.2.a.1 |
| Friction | Maximum kinetic coefficient of friction of 0.1875 | Equipment Standards Manual, 2.E.2.a.2 |
| Reflection | No measurement above 80 GU at 60 degrees, on the face and on edge guards | Equipment Standards Manual, 2.E.2.b |
| Size | Length plus width, including any edge guard and butt cap, no more than 24 inches. Length no more than 17 inches. No restriction on thickness | Equipment Standards Manual, 2.E.3 |
| Weight | No restriction on paddle weight | Equipment Standards Manual, 2.E.4 |
| Power | PBCoR not to exceed 0.44 from 1 November 2024, reduced to 0.43 from 1 November 2025 | Equipment Standards Manual, 2.E.6.f |
| Alterations | Altered paddles must meet all specifications. Allowed: edge guard tape, weighted tape, grip changes by inserts or wraps, OEM interchangeable parts, name decals. Decals and tape limits apply | Equipment Standards Manual, 2.E.5 |
| Marking | A clear brand and model name or number, plus the approved seal or text treatment | Equipment Standards Manual, 2.E.7 |
| Spin test | For paddles submitted from 1 October 2026, a measured spin rate of 2,100 RPM or less. Earlier certified paddles are held to the standards in effect when certified | USA Pickleball spin rate test update |
How to check a paddle
| Step | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Find the name | Read the brand and model off the paddle. Rule 2.E.7 requires them to be clearly marked | Equipment Standards Manual, 2.E.7 |
| 2. Search the list | Use the Approved Paddle List and search by brand, then model. If nothing comes up, try only the first few letters | USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List |
| 3. Match the variant | Entries show material, depth and shape. Open the entry and compare it with your paddle | USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List |
| 4. Read the status | Players must confirm the paddle is listed as Pass | Equipment Standards Manual, 2.F.3 |
| 5. Know the penalty | Switch before the match without penalty. Forfeit that match if found after it starts. Results stand if found after it ends | Equipment Standards Manual, 2.F.3.a |
Open the official Approved Paddle List. We do not copy the list, because it changes and the official page is the source that counts.
When approval can change
USA Pickleball says a paddle must comply with all certification requirements throughout its life. It says equipment is decertified when it fails the conditions of certification, and that decertification applies only to sanctioned tournament play.
The manual also says approval can be revoked on 18 months notice if a model is materially changed. The manual says products must be listed on the public database to be legal in sanctioned events, so check the list rather than a product page.
Keep reading
Specs interact with the rules: paddle weight, edge guards and face material cover them.
Picking a paddle? See control, power and spin paddles and how to choose a paddle. For rules beyond equipment, read the complete rules guide.
If you buy a paddle for events, also read the best paddles ranked, the best paddles for intermediate players, Selkirk vs JOOLA vs CRBN and the grip size guide.
How we sourced these figures
We did not test any paddle. Requirements come from the USA Pickleball Equipment Standards Manual, revision 3.0. Approval statements come from the Selkirk and JOOLA product pages. Pass entries come from the official Approved Paddle List.
Spin test details come from the USA Pickleball spin rate update. All were read in November 2026. We removed earlier unsourced claims about stamps on paddles and clearance prices as a sign of delisting.
Frequently Asked Questions
The paddle is named on USA Pickleball's list as having passed testing against its Equipment Standards Manual, which sets limits for surface roughness, friction, reflection, size and power. USA Pickleball says approval does not imply any other endorsement. It is a rules check for sanctioned play, not a quality ranking.
Open the official Approved Paddle List and search by brand, then model. If nothing appears, try the first few letters. Open the entry, match thickness, material and shape to your paddle, and confirm the status reads Pass. Rule 2.E.7 says the brand and model must be marked on the paddle.
No. USA Pickleball says decertification only applies to sanctioned tournament play, and that players can still use those paddles for recreational play. Check the list before buying if you may enter a sanctioned event, because the manual makes players responsible for confirming that the paddle is listed as Pass.
Under rule 2.F.3.a, if the violation is found before the match you may switch to a listed paddle without penalty. If found after the match has started, you forfeit that match only. If found after the match has concluded, the result stands. Check the current rules for your event.
No. The Equipment Standards Manual, rule 2.E.4, says there is no restriction on paddle weight. Size is limited: length plus width, including edge guard and butt cap, cannot exceed 24 inches, and length cannot exceed 17 inches. There is no restriction on thickness.
Not necessarily. USA Pickleball says paddles must comply throughout their useful life and can be decertified, for example after the PBCoR power test was introduced. It can revoke approval on 18 months notice for material changes. It also says newly submitted paddles face a 2,100 RPM spin cap from 1 October 2026.
Keep reading
Last updated: November 2, 2026