What a padel level on the 0–7 scale means, how to estimate your starting level, what moves it after a match, and how to read it in the PadelDropIn app.
You're about to join an open match and it says "level 2.75–3.50". You've played for a year, some days well, some days not, and you're honestly not sure where you fit. Rate yourself too high and you'll get run over; too low and three other people spend the evening bored. That's why it pays to understand what a padel level actually measures.
Short answer: a padel level is a number describing how well you play, most often on a scale from 0 to 7. In the PadelDropIn app the level has two decimals and is split into seven zones, from Beginner to Pro. You pick your starting level with a short quiz; after that it's moved by competitive matches (the result, the opponents' strength and other players' feedback), tournament placings and a coach's assessment after a lesson. Friendly matches don't affect it.
Contents
- What the 0 to 7 scale means
- How to estimate your starting level
- What moves your level after a match
- Examples from the app
- How to read your level in PadelDropIn
- Practical advice
- Padel level FAQ
- How to get started
What the 0 to 7 scale means
There's no single official standard for recreational padel levels. Clubs and apps use their own systems, so the same number doesn't always mean the same thing everywhere. Still, a 0–7 scale is common, and PadelDropIn uses it with two decimals, from 0.00 to 7.00.
| Range | Zone |
|---|---|
| 0–2.00 | Beginner |
| 2.01–2.50 | Beginner–Intermediate |
| 2.51–3.50 | Intermediate |
| 3.51–4.00 | Intermediate–Advanced |
| 4.01–5.50 | Advanced |
| 5.51–6.00 | Advanced–Pro |
| 6.01–7.00 | Pro |
The zones are there to help you find your bearings. On court you'd barely notice 3.10 versus 3.20, but Intermediate versus Advanced is a different story.
How to estimate your starting level
When you set up your profile, the app asks five questions: how long you've played, how well you control a rally, how you play at the net, how you defend off the glass and walls, and how well you read a match. Each has four answers, and at the end you get a suggestion between 1.0 and 5.0, rounded to 0.25. If you don't finish the quiz, you start at 2.0.
You don't have to take the suggestion. If you pick a number more than half a level away, the app shows a warning. Its own advice: if you're unsure, choose the lower option.
There's also a separate question about whether you've played before at a club, on Playtomic or in another app, and roughly how many matches. That answer doesn't change your starting number; it just helps your level settle faster.
You can set your level twice in total: during onboarding and once more in Edit profile. After your first rated match (or once both settings are used) it locks, and from then on only the PadelDropIn team can change it.
What moves your level after a match
Competitive vs friendly
Only competitive matches move your level. You can enter the result of a friendly, but nobody's level changes. Singles 1v1 counts just like doubles; read more in padel singles: how to play 1v1. Sparring doesn't change your level either, even against stronger players; see padel sparring for how it works.
Opponent strength and score
The app compares the average level of your pair with the opponents' pair. Beating a stronger pair earns more; losing to a weaker pair costs more. The games you win fine-tune the change. If a match is played in several parts with different teams, each part is rated with that part's teams, but the whole match together is capped.
Per-match cap
In the app's words: new players move up to 0.20 per match until their level settles, and from 4.0 up every change is smaller.
Player feedback, tournaments and coaches
After a match, players give feedback on each other's level: lower, about right or higher. That feedback is part of the change, and the app explains it under "What moves your level". Your level updates once everyone has rated, or 12 hours after the result is confirmed.
A tournament podium adds a bonus: +0.10 for first, +0.05 for second and +0.03 for third. A coach can also give feedback on your level after a lesson you attended, which can adjust it.
Examples from the app
The level guide in the app shows examples for a player whose level has settled at 4.00. They illustrate the idea; they're not guarantees:
| Match | Change |
|---|---|
| Won 6-4 6-4 against a 5.00 pair | +0.06 |
| Won 6-4 7-5 against an equal pair | +0.04 |
| Won 6-0 6-0 against a much weaker pair | +0.01 |
| Lost 4-6 4-6 to a 3.00 pair | −0.06 |
| Lost to a much weaker pair | −0.09 |
The takeaway: crushing a much weaker pair barely moves you, while losing to them hurts.
How to read your level in PadelDropIn
The level badge is a hexagon with one to three chevrons — you'll see it on other players' avatars and next to your own level on your profile. Blue is for beginners, yellow for intermediate players, and red for advanced and pro.
Tap "What does my level mean?" to open "My level", with the "Level trend" chart and the "Level guide" table. You'll also see "Confidence" as a percentage: it grows with every rated match and loosens after about four months without play.
Before a competitive match, the match screen has a "What this match is worth to you" section showing how much you'd gain if you win and lose if you lose. You know the stakes before you step on court.
The "Leaderboard" switches between "By level" and "By tournament". The level list can be filtered by location, period (all time, 30 days, 3 months, 6 months or 1 year), level zone and gender.
Practical advice
- Pick matches near your level. Open matches show a level range, and a game between similar players is fairer and more fun for everyone. For tips on finding one, see how to find padel partners and organise an open match.
- Be honest at the start. An inflated starting level lands you in matches you lose, and the number drops anyway.
- Don't chase small swings. A few hundredths either way is normal noise. Watch the trend on the chart, not a single match.
- Play friendlies when you want to experiment. A friendly doesn't affect your level, so it's a good place to try a new position or shot.
Padel level FAQ
What's my padel level if I'm just starting out? If you've only had a few sessions, you're probably in the Beginner zone (up to 2.00). The quiz in the app will give you a suggestion.
Why didn't my level change right after the match? It updates once all players have rated each other, or 12 hours after the result is confirmed. Also check that the match was competitive.
Can I change my level myself later? Only until it locks: two settings in total, and after your first rated match only the PadelDropIn team can change it.
Is my level the same as in other apps? Not necessarily. There's no single official standard, so numbers can differ between systems.
How to get started
- Answer the five questions about your game honestly, and if you're unsure, choose the lower level.
- Download the PadelDropIn app and complete your profile.
- Book a court directly with the club and open a competitive match with a level range that suits you.
- After the match, enter the result and rate the other players' level.
- Follow "Level trend" and "Confidence" on the "My level" screen.
For everything else that's new, read what's new in PadelDropIn 1.0.28. The club network is gradually expanding in the region, and Belgrade is currently active.
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