The first time I heard about weighted pickleball tape was about three years ago. I had started to get tennis elbow so bad that I thought I was going to have to stop playing for a long time. I tried switching paddles without any luck, so I just suffered through.
Finally, a friend suggested adding lead tape at the throat and around the bottom corner of my paddle. I bought a roll from Amazon and tried it out. It worked immediately. After a few weeks, my elbow pain was completely gone.
So, before you go buying a brand-new pickleball paddle, I highly recommend that you try weighting your paddle instead. Weighted tape comes by a number of different names: including lead tape, tungsten tape, or tuning tape.
Not only does it help with weight distribution, it can also broaden the sweet spot on your paddle and add more power, stability, and control.
Here, I'll talk more about weighted tape, the benefits of using it, and where I apply it to my paddles.
If you're just looking for a quick recommendation on pickleball lead tape, start with CRBN Lead Tape Strips if you want lead, or Pickleball Effect Paddle Tuning Tape if you'd rather skip lead.
What is pickleball lead tape (weighted tape)?
Weighted tape, often called lead tape, is tape that you stick to the sides of your paddle to increase its weight. It comes in different weights, anywhere from 0.2 grams per inch up to around 2 grams per inch.
It was traditionally made of lead (hence the name "lead tape"), but there are non-toxic alternatives like tungsten now available. You can buy weighted tape in pre-cut strips or a roll that you cut or tear yourself.
There are even innovative products like cap coins – a disc that you stick to your paddle’s end cap to boost the weight and prevent your paddle from feeling head-heavy.
Lead tape vs tungsten tape
Both do the same job. They add weight exactly where you stick them. The difference is the metal.
Lead tape is the original. CRBN's lead strips, for example, come as 12 pre-cut strips, each 5 by 1 cm and 3 grams. CRBN says each strip is coated so your skin doesn't touch the lead.
Tungsten tape is the non-toxic option. Selkirk says its tungsten tape is safe to handle, so you don't need to worry about residue or washing your hands after each adjustment. It comes as four 8-inch strips, each 0.1 ounces.
My take: either works for the placements below. If you have kids or pets around, or you just don't like handling lead, I'd go tungsten. Whichever you pick, the spots you stick it matter more than the metal.
Why do people use weighted tape?
There are a few reasons why you might customize your paddle's weight. Some players do it to even out the paddle's weight distribution, which relieves strain on your wrist, arm, and elbow. You can also do it to enlarge your paddle's sweet spot or boost power.
Weight distribution and pickleball injuries
It might sound counter-intuitive to add weight to your paddle to relieve arm pain, but it's highly likely that it's not the paddle's weight that's causing you pain. Rather, it's the weight distribution.
Weight distribution is more important than a paddle's overall weight. It's such a crucial factor that we even give Weighting its very own category when we review and test paddles on Pickleheads.
I've had lighter paddles (under 8 ounces) that gave me tennis elbow because they were head-heavy. That means the weight is distributed more toward the top of the paddle. This top-heavy weighting can hurt your arm, as the weight is not balanced near your wrist, putting more of a strain on your joints.
I've fixed the weight distribution on multiple paddles by adding lead tape or tungsten tape to the corners near the throat. I'm a pickleball coach at my local courts here in Utah, and I've helped tons of players relieve their tennis elbow this way.
For more tips from myself, other pros, and sports physicians, read our guide of the best pickleball paddles for tennis elbow.
Broaden the sweet spot
Putting tape at the bottom corners of your paddle adds more stability and control. In turn, it makes the paddle's sweet spot larger. The sweet spot is the area on the paddle face where the ball hits cleanly.
It doesn't have dead zones where the ball drops off in an inconsistent way – it's where the ball bounces off the paddle with most surety.
Adding tape to the bottom corners of your paddle can broaden this area called the sweet spot, which leads to a more forgiving paddle with less mishits.
Increase in power
Some players who don't mind a head-heavy feel on their paddle add tape to the top corners to boost the paddle's power. The extra heaviness in theory makes the paddle more powerful.
Where to apply weighted tape
Personally, I like to add weight to the bottom corners of my paddles, from the throat up around the curve (see the image below).
I don't add tape to the top corners like some players. I tried it before and I always ended up with a little tennis elbow afterward. So, if you suffer from sore wrists or pickleball elbow, I would avoid putting tape at the top corners.
I feel like the tape at the bottom corners of my paddle already adds a bit more power as it gives me a surer swing for better follow-through when I connect with the ball. For that reason, I don’t need to increase power anymore by going top-heavy.
Quick placement guide
Here's the short version of where lead tape goes and what each spot does.
Bottom corners and throat. This is where I put mine. It balances a head-heavy paddle, adds stability and widens the sweet spot. If your arm is sore, start here.
Top corners. This gives a head-heavy feel and can add power. I skip it because it brought my tennis elbow back.
Around the edge. Selkirk suggests wrapping tape around the perimeter of an edgeless paddle for stability. On a paddle with an edge guard, it suggests doubling up on the lower corners and adding a small amount at the top.
End cap. A cap coin adds weight at the bottom of the handle, which helps a paddle that feels head-heavy.
Start small. Add one short strip per side, play a few games, then add more if you need it. It's easier to add than to take off.
The tape I use
When it comes to the type of tape to get, I recommend the Paddle Tuning Tape from Pickleball Effect. It's easy to apply – you can tear it with your fingers or use scissors. Measure up the length you want, tear or cut it off, and stick it on. It’s as simple as that.
I like that it's a bit lighter – 0.5 gram per inch – because you can always add more. I also like that it's black. It's subtle and not meant to stand out, so it goes with any paddle.
Pickleball Effect has a great range of tape options, from pre-cut tungsten tape strips to cap coins.
You can find other options from big brands like CRBN Lead Tape Strips, as well.
Bottom line
You don't have to add lead tape or other weight to your paddle. If it's performing optimally for you, and you don't feel any strain on your joints during or after games, you're set up.
However, if you're suffering from pickleball elbow or arm fatigue, or if you feel your paddle could use more stability, forgiveness, control, or power, try optimizing with weighted tape. I did and I’ve never looked back.
Pickleball lead tape FAQ
