Squash and badminton are both fast indoor racket sports with a reputation for being brutal workouts. The key difference is the court: badminton players face each other across a high net, while squash players share an enclosed four-walled box and take turns hitting a small rubber ball against the front wall.
Badminton vs squash in brief
- Court: badminton 13.4 m x 6.1 m with a net; squash 9.75 m x 6.4 m enclosed by four walls
- Object: shuttle hit over a net; rubber ball hit against the front wall
- Scoring: badminton 21-point games, best of 3; squash 11-point games, best of 5
- Players: badminton singles or doubles; squash almost always singles
- Fitness: both are among the most demanding racket sports
Side-by-side comparison
| Badminton | Squash | |
|---|---|---|
| Court | 13.4 m x 6.1 m, divided by a net | 9.75 m x 6.4 m, enclosed by four walls |
| Net or tin | Net 1.524 m at centre | Tin at the bottom of the front wall, about 0.48 m high |
| What you hit | Shuttlecock, 4.74 to 5.50 g | Small hollow rubber ball, about 24 g |
| Bounce | Never | Once on the floor, after hitting the front wall |
| Players face | Each other, across the net | The same wall, sharing the court |
| Scoring | Rally scoring to 21, best of 3 | Point-a-rally scoring to 11 (win by 2), best of 5 |
| Usual format | Singles and doubles | Singles (doubles exists on wider courts) |
| Olympic status | Olympic since 1992 | Added for Los Angeles 2028 |
How play differs
In squash, both players share the court and must give each other room to hit; the rules on interference and “lets” are a big part of the game. Rallies are built on driving the ball deep along the side walls and pulling the opponent to the front corners. In badminton, you stay on your own side of the net, and points are built with clears, drops and smashes. See badminton shots.
Fitness: which is harder?
Both are exceptionally demanding. The Compendium of Physical Activities rates general squash at 7.3 MET (and up to 12.0 in its most intense coding), and competitive badminton match play at 9.0 MET. In practice:
- Squash rallies tend to be longer with fewer breaks, making it relentlessly aerobic.
- Badminton has more explosive jumping and lunging, with short recoveries between points.
Both will make you very fit. Squash has a slightly higher injury risk from collisions and the enclosed space; badminton stresses ankles and knees with lunges. See badminton benefits.
Which is easier to learn?
Badminton is usually easier to get going: anyone can rally gently in their first session. Beginners in squash often struggle at first because a cold ball bounces very little and it takes time to keep rallies going. Both become very hard at higher levels.
Cost and access
Squash requires a dedicated court, usually at a club or gym; badminton courts are found in most sports halls and schools. Equipment costs are similar. You also need fewer players for squash courts to be used efficiently, while badminton doubles lets four people share one court.
Which should you choose?
| Choose badminton if you… | Choose squash if you… |
|---|---|
| Want to play doubles with friends | Prefer one-on-one competition |
| Like jumping smashes and net play | Like long, gruelling rallies |
| Have a sports hall nearby | Have a squash club or gym nearby |
| Prefer no physical contact or shared space | Are comfortable sharing the court |
FAQ
Is squash harder than badminton?
Both are very demanding. Squash is more continuous; badminton is more explosive. Squash is usually harder for beginners to start.
Do badminton skills help in squash?
Footwork, fitness and wrist control transfer partly, but the strokes and tactics are different.
Which burns more calories?
They are similar at high intensity: roughly 500 to 650 kcal per hour for a 70 kg adult in hard play.
More comparisons: badminton vs racquetball, badminton vs tennis and badminton vs table tennis.
