The pallino is the small target ball at the center of every bocce frame. The pallino's job is simple: it sits where the team that throws it places it, and every other ball gets measured against it. The pallino's specs are not as simple. Sizes vary, colors matter for visibility, and materials affect roll behavior. This guide walks through the pallino category in 2026, what sizes are regulation, which colors work best on which surfaces, and how to choose the right pallino for your set.
Key Takeaways
- Regulation pallinos for 107 mm tournament play measure 48 to 63 mm in diameter.
- Yellow, white, and red are the most common pallino colors, each best for different surfaces.
- Hard plastic and resin are the standard pallino materials in modern sets.
- Pallinos pair with a specific ball set's color palette for clear contrast in play.
- Replacement pallinos are inexpensive and worth keeping a spare.
Pallino Sizes: The Regulation Range
Regulation pallinos for tournament 107 mm bocce play measure between 48 mm and 63 mm in diameter. The exact size varies slightly by manufacturer. The size relative to the bocce balls themselves matters because a pallino too close to the ball diameter is hard to spot at distance, and a pallino too small can disappear in long grass. The Federazione Italiana Bocce regulation specifies the range, and the United States Bocce Federation applies the same standard for US sanctioned play.
For 110 mm and 114 mm backyard sets, the included pallino typically falls in the same 48 to 63 mm range. For 73 mm metal pétanque-style sets, the target ball is much smaller (around 30 mm) and is called a jack rather than a pallino, though the function is identical.
Pallino Colors and Visibility
Pallino color matters for visibility against the court surface and the bocce balls in play. The three standard colors carry distinct use cases. Yellow is the most legible against most court surfaces and is the default tournament color. White suits clay and oyster shell courts where high contrast against the typical light gray surface is welcome. Red provides strong contrast on grass and is the common choice for backyard sets.
Regulation EPCO Pallino in Yellow
Best for: tournament play, league nights, and any setting where maximum visibility under varied lighting matters.
Regulation EPCO Pallino in Red
Best for: backyard grass play where red contrasts cleanly against green turf.
Pallino Materials
Modern pallinos are made from hard plastic or resin. The construction is dense enough to ride out the occasional bocce ball hit without deforming. Phenolic resin pallinos pair naturally with phenolic resin tournament bocce balls and share the same durability and roll characteristics. Hard plastic pallinos cost less and work well across recreational and mid-tier use cases.
Historical wood pallinos appear in vintage sets but are rare in modern play. Coverage of bocce history in Britannica traces the equipment back through Roman times when stone and wood were standard, with resin and plastic taking over in the twentieth century.
Matching Pallino Color to Your Set
The strongest pallino visual choice contrasts both the bocce balls and the court surface. For an EPCO Black and White tournament set on a packed clay court, a yellow pallino reads cleanly against both elements. For a green and blue set on grass, white or yellow stays visible. For a marble pattern set, the pallino color choice has more flexibility because the marble balls themselves carry multiple colors. The general rule: pick the pallino color that no individual ball in the set already uses.
When to Buy a Replacement Pallino
Replacement pallinos are inexpensive and worth keeping as spares. The most common reasons to buy a replacement: the original pallino is lost (it is the smallest piece of equipment and the easiest to misplace), the pallino's color no longer contrasts well with a newly purchased ball set, or a household wants color variety for different occasions. The Wirecutter framework on durable gear consistently positions inexpensive replacement parts as worth keeping on hand.
Regulation EPCO Pallino in White
Best for: packed clay or oyster shell courts where white reads cleanly against the lighter surface.
Engraved Pallinos
Engraved pallinos turn a standard pallino into a personalized gift, league trophy, or corporate giveaway. Custom text, photographs, and logos all engrave cleanly on the pallino surface. Engraving is laser-applied and does not affect roll behavior or balance. For wedding favors, retirement gifts, anniversary keepsakes, and league championship sets, the engraved pallino is the most-ordered configuration.
Why Buy Pallinos from BuyBocceBalls
We carry the full pallino range across regulation EPCO colors, replacement pack colors, and engraved options. Every pallino ships from our US warehouse in one to two business days. Engraving is in-house in the United States with proof approval before production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a regulation bocce pallino?
48 to 63 mm in diameter for 107 mm tournament play. Exact size varies slightly by manufacturer.
What color is the best pallino?
Yellow for tournament and varied lighting. White for packed clay courts. Red for backyard grass.
What material is a pallino made of?
Hard plastic or resin in modern sets. Phenolic resin for tournament-grade pallinos that match tournament ball construction.
Can I replace a lost pallino?
Yes. Replacement pallinos are inexpensive and available in red, white, yellow, orange, and mixed-color packs.
Does pallino color affect play?
No. Color is purely a visibility choice. The roll behavior and ball-strike outcome are unaffected by pallino color.
