Paintball FAQ
Straight answers to the questions new players ask most, updated for 2026.
This FAQ started on the original site in 2002. We kept the questions people asked back then and updated the answers where things have changed.
Does it hurt to get hit by a paintball?
It stings, like a hard flick or a rubber band snap, and it can leave a small welt or bruise. It hurts more at close range and on bare skin, and less with each game as you get used to it. Wearing a hoodie or layers helps. If you are worried, ask your field about low-impact paintball, which uses smaller balls that hit with less than half the energy.
Is paintball safe?
Yes, when it is played at a proper field with the rules enforced. The real danger is to your eyes, which is why masks stay on in every playing area with no exceptions, barrel covers go on whenever you are off the field, and every marker is speed-tested on a chronograph. Most injuries are the welts and bruises from hits, plus the twisted ankles and scrapes of any running sport.
How fast does a paintball go?
Most fields cap markers at around 280 to 300 feet per second. That works out to roughly 190 to 205 miles per hour (about 305 to 330 km/h) as the ball leaves the barrel. It slows down quickly after that.
What should I wear?
Long sleeves and long pants you do not mind getting dirty, a hoodie or light layers, and shoes with good grip. Many fields rent or provide coveralls. Avoid shorts and loose clothing that snags. Our first-day guide has the full list.
What should I bring?
Water, snacks, a change of clothes, a plastic bag for dirty clothes, and money for extra paint. If the field is outdoors, bring sunscreen. If it is muddy, bring extra socks.
How old do you have to be?
There is no universal minimum age. Some states, provinces and countries set age or parental-consent rules, and each field sets its own minimum on top of that. For standard paintball it is often somewhere between 10 and 12. Many fields run low-impact sessions for younger kids. Players under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign the waiver.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the field and how much paint you shoot. Most fields sell a first-timer package with entry, rental gear, air and some paint. Extra paint is usually the biggest cost. Call ahead, and see our first-day guide for ways to keep it reasonable.
What does “marker” mean?
A marker is what players call the equipment that shoots paintballs. You will also hear “paintball gun” or “gun”, and both are understood on the field. The name comes from paintball’s origins: the first markers were built to mark trees and cattle.
What is a paintball made of?
A thin gelatin shell, the same kind of material used for vitamin capsules, filled with coloured, water-based fill. Paintballs are non-toxic to people and water-soluble, and the paint washes out of clothes and off skin with soap and water. Keep them away from dogs, though: eating paintballs can poison them.
What is the difference between CO2 and compressed air?
Both power the marker. CO2 is cheap and still used on pump and entry-level markers, but it changes pressure with temperature. Compressed air (also called HPA or nitro) is more consistent and is what most regular players use. Our archive has more in Buying a CO2 or compressed air tank.
What is mercy (or surrender)?
Many fields have a rule that if you get within a set close distance of an opponent who does not know you are there, you call on them to surrender instead of shooting them. It keeps close-range hits from hurting new players. Rules differ by field and there is no mercy rule in tournaments, so listen during the safety briefing.
How many people are on a team?
On a walk-on day, teams are whatever size the referees make them, from a handful to dozens. Tournament speedball is mostly five players a side. Scenario and milsim events can have hundreds of players on each side. See Types of paintball.
What happens when I get hit?
If the ball breaks and leaves a mark, you are out. Raise your hand or marker over your head, call “Hit!”, put your barrel cover on and walk to the dead box. If it bounces without breaking, you are usually still in. Ask a referee for a paint check if you are not sure.
How many times should I shoot an opponent?
As few as it takes. One good hit eliminates a player. Sometimes a player gets hit more than once by accident, especially when several people shoot at once, and that is part of the game. Shooting someone after they are clearly out is called bonus balling, and it gets players thrown off the field.
Should I wear a hat under my mask?
It is up to you. A beanie, toque or bandana adds padding and keeps sweat out of your eyes, and in winter it keeps you warm. Make sure the mask still fits snugly.
Is paintball the same as airsoft?
No. Airsoft fires small 6mm plastic BBs that do not leave a mark, so players call their own hits. Paintball fires .68 calibre (or .50 calibre low-impact) balls that break and leave paint, so hits are visible. Both require eye protection, paintball requires a full-face mask, and many players do both.