Key takeaways: a pickleball court is 20 × 44 ft (6.10 × 13.41 m) for singles and doubles. The non-volley zone is 7 ft (2.13 m) deep on each side of the net. The net is 36 in (91.4 cm) at the sidelines and 34 in (86.4 cm) at the centre. Plan a total area of about 30 × 60 ft (9.1 × 18.3 m) including run-off.
Whether you are marking a driveway, converting a tennis court or checking a club’s layout, these are the official measurements, in imperial and metric.
Official measurements
| Element | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Playing area | 20 × 44 ft | 6.10 × 13.41 m |
| Each half of the court | 20 × 22 ft | 6.10 × 6.71 m |
| Non-volley zone (each side) | 20 × 7 ft | 6.10 × 2.13 m |
| Service court (each) | 10 × 15 ft | 3.05 × 4.57 m |
| Line width | 2 in | 5 cm |
| Net height at sidelines | 36 in | 91.4 cm |
| Net height at centre | 34 in | 86.4 cm |
| Minimum net length | 21 ft 9 in | 6.63 m |
| Recommended total area | 30 × 60 ft | 9.14 × 18.29 m |
The court is the same size for singles and doubles: unlike tennis, there are no tramlines.
The lines
- Baselines: the 20-ft lines at each end.
- Sidelines: the 44-ft lines on each side.
- Non-volley line (kitchen line): 7 ft from the net, parallel to it.
- Centreline: runs from the baseline to the kitchen line and splits the right and left service courts. It does not continue through the kitchen.
All lines are 2 in wide and count as part of the area they enclose: a ball on the sideline is in. On the serve, the kitchen line counts as part of the kitchen, so a serve landing on it is a fault. See pickleball rules for more.
The net
The posts sit outside the sidelines, usually 12 in (30 cm) beyond them, which is why the net must be at least 21 ft 9 in long. The net dips from 36 in at the posts to 34 in in the middle, held by a centre strap. That 2-in difference matters: a cross-court dink clears more easily than one down the line.
Run-off space
The playing area is only part of the footprint. For recreational play, allow at least 10 ft behind each baseline and 5 ft beside each sideline, giving roughly 30 × 60 ft. Tournament venues often allow more, around 34 × 64 ft, and a ceiling height of at least 18 ft indoors helps lobs.
How many pickleball courts fit on a tennis court?
A standard tennis court with its surrounds (about 60 × 120 ft) can hold up to four pickleball courts, each with modest run-off. Many clubs start with two courts painted across the tennis court and portable nets, then move to four once demand grows. For quick sessions, a single pickleball court can be taped on one half of a tennis court and played over a lowered tennis net.
Marking a court yourself
- Mark the two baselines 44 ft apart, then the sidelines 20 ft apart.
- Check the diagonals: both should measure about 48 ft 4 in (14.74 m). If they match, the court is square.
- Mark the net line at 22 ft, then the kitchen lines 7 ft either side of it.
- Draw the centreline from each baseline to the kitchen line only.
- Use 2-in tape or chalk; outline the inside edges so the lines sit within the measurements.
FAQ
What size is a pickleball court in metres?
6.10 m wide by 13.41 m long, the same as a doubles badminton court. The kitchen is 2.13 m deep on each side of the net.
Is a pickleball court the same as a badminton court?
The outer dimensions are the same as a doubles badminton court, but the internal lines differ and the net is much lower: 34 in at the centre against about 5 ft for badminton.
Is the singles court smaller?
No. Singles and doubles use the full 20 × 44 ft court.
How high is a pickleball net?
36 in (91.4 cm) at the sidelines and 34 in (86.4 cm) at the centre.