Wondering what your padel level actually means, or how to get an official rating? Here is how the LTA's 1.0 to 7.0 rating scale works, what each level looks like on court, and how it differs from the ratings you might see on booking apps.
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- The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) rating runs from 1.0 (brand new) to 7.0 (world-class professional), in half-point steps.
- The ratings group into three broad divisions: C for beginners, B for intermediate and advanced club players, and A for elite and professional players.
- To get an official rating you join LTA Padel and request one from a local affiliated coach; it is then linked to your membership.
- The LTA rating is not the same as your Playtomic or MATCHi number. Each system uses its own scale, and they do not convert directly.
If you have started playing padel regularly, sooner or later you will want to know your level, whether that is to enter a tournament, find players of a similar standard, or simply track your progress. In Britain, the official measure is the LTA Padel rating, introduced when the LTA took on governance of the sport. It gives every player a single, standardised number that clubs and competitions across the country can rely on.
The Ratings, Level by Level
The rating runs from 1.0 to 7.0 in half-point increments. Here is what each level looks like on court, grouped by division.
Getting Started
Division C Beginner to improverBrand new to the game, just starting to play.
Consistent at a low pace.
Consistent at a medium pace, though shots still lack direction.
Building confidence and consistency at a medium pace.
Building Your Game
Division B Intermediate to advancedHas control and pace. Players with previous racket-sport experience often start here.
Experienced at constructing points and generally consistent.
Resourceful, able to execute winners and force errors from opponents.
Experienced at competing at tournament level.
A top nationally ranked player, regularly competing at a high tournament level.
Elite & Professional
Division A Semi-pro to world-classA semi-professional player with a world ranking outside the world's top 250.
A professional player ranked inside the world's top 250.
A professional player ranked inside the world's top 100.
How to Get an Official Rating
Join LTA Padel
Become a member of LTA Padel. Your rating is linked to your membership number, so it travels with you between clubs.
Ask an affiliated coach
Request a rating from a local LTA-affiliated coach, who will assess your level against the scale.
Play and progress
Your rating gives you a shared reference for arranging matches, joining leagues and entering competitions at the right level.
LTA vs the Booking Apps
One of the most common sources of confusion is that the LTA rating is not the only number out there. If you book courts through an app, you will likely have a separate rating that looks nothing like your LTA one. They measure in different ways and do not convert directly, so it is worth knowing which is which.
| System | Scale | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| LTA Padel | 1.0 – 7.0 | The official British competitive rating, set by a coach and used for LTA tournaments and events. |
| Playtomic | 0.0 – 7.0 | An automatic, ELO-style rating on the popular booking app that adjusts after every recorded match. |
| MATCHi | 1 – 7 | A self-rated scale used on the MATCHi booking platform. |
| FIP world ranking | Points-based | The international ranking for players competing on the professional world tour. |
Good to know: app ratings can sit higher or lower than your LTA level, especially if you mostly play the same group at one club. Treat each number as its own thing rather than trying to convert between them.
Know Your Level? Now Find a Court
Whether you are chasing your first rating or your next one, it starts with getting on court. Find a padel club near you and start playing.
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