Practical guide
How to score a padel match
Last updated 5 October 2026
Agree the format before the first serve, then let the scoreboard do the arithmetic. This walkthrough covers traditional matches, Americano, undo, offline play, and what Padelmatic Pro unlocks.
The short version. Open Padelmatic → pick format and 40–40 rule → choose who serves → tap the side that wins each point. Undo steps back as far as you need. Works offline. Starting a scored match requires Padelmatic Pro.
Before the first serve
Three decisions remove most mid-match arguments:
- Format — one set or best of three; Americano or custom points if you are not playing sets.
- Ending at 40–40 — Advantage, Golden point, or Star point.
- Who serves first — tap that pair once; rotation follows from there.
Formats Padelmatic supports
Everything below is a real option in the app:
- Traditional — points to games, games to sets, optional super tiebreak in a best-of-three decider.
- Americano — total point target and serves-each interval for social rotation nights.
- Custom total-points — informal targets with configurable serve interval and ending rule.
- Apple Watch setup mirrors these choices so you can start from the wrist.
The app’s Star point option is sudden-death at 40–40 (next point wins), like Golden point. It is not a claim of full FIP Star Point tournament behaviour — see the scoring rules guide for the sport-side detail.
During the match
Your half of the court is the button. Tap the side that won the rally. The engine advances games, sets, tiebreaks, and match end for you.
Serving indicators follow the pair rotation automatically on traditional matches, and follow your configured interval on Americano and custom points modes.
Fix a wrong tap
Undo steps back one point at a time, repeatedly, including across game and set boundaries. Nothing is stuck because someone fat-fingered 30–15. On Apple Watch, Undo lives under Match Controls.
iPhone, Watch, and offline
Score on iPhone, Apple Watch, or hand control between them when they are connected. If one device shows read-only mirror, tap points on the device that currently controls scoring.
Scoring, history, and settings work with no network. Optional account sync is only for carrying history across devices later — there is no sign-up wall to start a match.
What is free to download vs what scores
Padelmatic is on the App Store. Downloading the app is not the same as scoring a match: starting a scored match requires Padelmatic Pro.
Two plans exist: a weekly subscription (with a one-week free trial for eligible new subscribers) and a lifetime purchase at $19.99 (USD; local currency on the App Store). The App Store shows the live price before you confirm.
Start the next match cleanly
Agree the format in the corridor, open Padelmatic, and keep the scoreboard out of the argument.
