| Factor | Squash | Racquetball |
|---|---|---|
| Ball | Small, low bounce | Large, high bounce |
| Court size | 9.75m × 6.4m | 12.2m × 6.1m × 6.1m high |
| Tin | Yes (0.48m board) | No tin |
| Rally pace | Longer, tactical | Shorter, explosive |
| Dominant region | UK, global | US, Canada |
| Calorie burn | Very high | Very high |
| Olympic sport | Not yet | No |
Choose Squash when…
You're in the UK or most of the world where squash is standard, want a more tactical game emphasising placement, control and court craft, or enjoy a longer and more varied rally structure.
Choose Racquetball when…
You're in North America where racquetball is more accessible, prefer a faster-paced, more explosive game with more raw power, or find squash's tin and line rules overly restrictive.
Gear for both
Ektelon Racquetball Racket
A solid racquetball racket for North American courts.
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FAQ
Is squash or racquetball harder to learn?
Racquetball is generally considered easier to learn — the larger, bouncier ball is more forgiving, and the lack of a tin removes one of squash's most punishing rules. Squash demands more precise control and court craft from the start.
What is the main rule difference between squash and racquetball?
The most significant differences: court size (racquetball uses a larger, fully enclosed court with a back wall that is in play; squash uses a smaller court where the back wall functions differently); service (racquetball service must hit the front wall and land between the service line and back wall without a bounce; squash service is simpler); ball (racquetball uses a hollow rubber ball that bounces more than a squash ball); and scoring (racquetball uses rally scoring to 15; squash uses 9 or 11-point games depending on format).
Is squash or racquetball more popular?
Squash has significantly more global participation, particularly in the UK, Australia, Egypt, and Asia. Racquetball is primarily a North American sport with most of its following in the United States. Squash has a more established international competition structure and a long history in British Commonwealth countries. Racquetball was introduced in the US in the 1950s as a faster, simpler alternative to squash and has remained predominantly American.