Buying balls should be simple. This short guide covers the official specs every ball has to meet, how Mint's indoor and outdoor Cannonballz are built, and which pack fits how you play.
Want the deeper look at how each ball plays, wears and suits different courts? Read Indoor vs Outdoor Pickleballs: Key Differences Explained and Indoor vs. Outdoor Pickleball: The Differences That Matter.
The quick answer
- Playing in a gym or on an indoor court? Get a 26-hole indoor ball such as the Cannonballz 26 Hole Indoor 4-Pack.
- Playing outside? Get a 40-hole outdoor ball such as the Cannonballz 40 Hole Outdoor 4-Pack.
The official specs every ball must meet
USA Pickleball sets ball standards in its Equipment Standards Manual (January 2025), section 2.D. Indoor or outdoor, the ball must meet the same numbers:
- Size: 2.87 to 2.97 inches (7.29 to 7.54 cm) in diameter.
- Weight: 0.78 to 0.935 ounces (22.1 to 26.5 grams).
- Bounce: 30 to 34 inches to the top of the ball when dropped from 78 inches onto a granite surface plate, tested at 70 F, plus or minus 5 F.
- Holes: a minimum of 26 to a maximum of 40 circular holes.
- Look: one uniform color, except for identification markings, with the manufacturer's or supplier's name or logo on the surface.
Hole count: 26 versus 40
This is the easiest difference to spot. The 2026 USA Pickleball rulebook notes that the ball with larger holes is customarily used indoors and the ball with smaller holes outdoors (Figure 3-2). Cannonballz follow the usual split: Mint makes the 26-hole ball for indoor courts and the 40-hole ball for outdoor courts.
Weight and bounce
Both balls have to fit the same weight and bounce ranges above. Mint's Cannonballz listings do not publish a weight or bounce figure for either ball, so we will not guess one. What the listings do say:
- Indoor: "consistent bounce, stable flight and confident play from the first rally."
- Outdoor: 40 precision holes "for stable flight, reliable bounce and lasting durability."
How Cannonballz are built
| Indoor | Outdoor | |
|---|---|---|
| Holes | 26 | 40 |
| Construction | Two-piece injection molded | Rotation molded, single-piece seamless |
| Color | Fluorescent optic-ember | Fluorescent optic-ember |
| Made for | Indoor courts | Outdoor courts |
Can you swap them?
Under rule 3.C.1, "All approved balls are acceptable for indoor or outdoor play." So an outdoor ball indoors is not against the rules; it is just not the usual choice.
- Indoors: the 26-hole ball is the customary pick.
- Outdoors: the 40-hole ball is the one Mint builds for outdoor courts.
- Tournaments: the tournament director chooses the ball, per the Equipment Standards Manual (2.D.2). At a club, use what the organizer names.
Which pack should you buy?
| Pack | Best for |
|---|---|
| Indoor 4-Pack | A fresh set for indoor games |
| Indoor 10-Pack | Indoor drilling and regular groups |
| Outdoor 4-Pack | A fresh set for outdoor games |
| Outdoor 10-Pack | Outdoor drilling and regular groups |
Running a club or a big group? Larger packs are in the Cannonballz collection. Wondering when to retire a ball? Read how long do pickleballs last.
FAQ
How much does a pickleball weigh? Between 0.78 and 0.935 ounces (22.1 to 26.5 grams), per USA Pickleball's Equipment Standards Manual.
How big is a pickleball? 2.87 to 2.97 inches across, per the same manual.
Sources
- USA Pickleball, Equipment Standards Manual, January 2025, section 2.D.
- USA Pickleball, 2026 Official Rulebook, rule 3.C.1 and Figure 3-2.
- Mint Sport Cannonballz product pages, read 21 Oct 2026.
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