What Are The Standard Dimensions of a Pickleball Court?

Pickleball Court Dimensions | Racket Royalty

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Have you ever walked past a pickleball court and wondered, โ€œHow big is that thing?โ€ย 

Or have you ever thought about building one in your backyard, but werenโ€™t sure if it would fit?ย 

If so, you’re in luck!ย 

In this blog post, weโ€™ll break down the exact dimensions of a standard pickleball court.

Pickleball court dimensions (in feet, meters, and inches)ย 

Let’s start with the basics.ย 

A standard pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. Both singles and doubles pickleball games are played on the same size court.

a diagram of the dimensions of a pickleball court in meters with lines of play

  • Pickleball court dimensions in meters: 20ft x 44ft
  • Pickleball court dimensions in meters: 6m x 13m
  • Pickleball court dimensions in inches: 236in x 512in

Playing Lines and Playing Areas

A pickleball court has a line drawn down the length of the court that divides it into two equal halves. This is called the centerline.ย 

The sidelines run down the length of the court on the sides and the baseline is found at each end of the court parallel to the net.ย 

The non-volley zone stretches 7 ft (2m 13cm) from the net on both sides of the court.ย 

The outer edges of the court are outlined by white lines that measure 1/4 inch thick.ย 

pickleball net height – how high is a pickleball net?

The net is also a key component of any pickleball court. It measures 36 inches high at either end and 34 inches in the center. This is slightly shorter than a tennis net which is 36 inches high at the center.ย 

On either side of the net, there is a 7-foot non-volley zone (also known as the kitchen) where players cannot hit volleys or hit the ball without letting it bounce first.

a diagram showing the proper height of a pickleball net compared to a tennis net

pickleball court vs tennis court dimensionsย 

If youโ€™re used to playing tennis or volleyball, then youโ€™ll find that a pickleball court has some unique dimensions.ย 

For starters, a pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court. It measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long as opposed to 27 feet wide (singles tennis) and 36 feet wide (doubles tennis) by 78 feet long.ย 

A pickleball court is basically the exact same size as a doubles badminton court.ย 

Curious about how exactly to play pickleball on a tennis court? Read Our Guide on How to Play Pickleball on a Tennis Court.ย 

Are all pickleball courts the same size?

The standard size of a pickleball court is 20 feet by 44 feet. Both singles and doubles pickleball courts are the same size.ย 

USA Pickleball recognizes these dimensions as the regulation size for courts.ย 

How much space do you need for a pickleball court?

Whether itโ€™s a concrete slab, driveway, backyard, or parking lot, you should reserve 30 feet by 60 feet for a pickleball court.ย 

This is because youโ€™ll need space on the sides for players to move around and serve.ย 

If youโ€™re unsure you have the proper space for a pickleball court, itโ€™s a good idea to use tape to create a temporary court with the dimensions you have available.ย 

Play on it for a few weeks before you decide to do anything more permanent. Does it feel OK or is it too small to play properly?

If youโ€™re looking to build a driveway or backyard pickleball court but you donโ€™t quite have enough room for the official dimensions, consider building a half-court with a hitting wall instead.

This can be extremely beneficial for practicing your pickleball skillsโ€”especially when you have no one to play against.ย ย 

You could shrink the dimensions of your pickleball court to create a play area smaller than regulation size, but then you risk building muscle memory by hitting shots that only work in a small space and arenโ€™t effective on a standard-sized court.ย 

On the flip side, some folks might find this to be an advantage โ€” a smaller court means more precise shots must be made.ย 

Indoor vs Outdoor pickleball courtsย 

There is no real difference between the size of indoor vs outdoor pickleball courts.ย 

Outdoor courts will naturally have more space around the perimeter as many indoor courts are located in gymnasiums or community centers which are used for many other sports beyond pickleball.ย 

However, the court surfaces of indoor and outdoor pickleball courts might be different.ย 

Indoor court surfaces are typically more slippery and made of maple or another soft wood if the court is located in a gym.ย 

Outdoor pickleball courts can be made of concrete, asphalt, cement, or any other hard surface. You can even play pickleball on grass.ย 

How to build an outdoor pickleball courtย 

Building your own pickleball court is actually pretty easy.ย 

Using a printable PDF of pickleball court dimensions, simply map out the court using tape, crayons, or any other tool.ย 

We recommend using court markers to mark the lines on your court.ย These make it extra easy to set up a pickleball court anywhere, anytime.

Our Pick
Franklin Pickleball Court Marking Set
5.0

The Franklin Sports Pickleball Court Marker Kit easily transforms any court area into a quick pickleball court.

The kit includes (4) L-shaped and (8) T-shaped flexible court markers.

The easy-care material is surface wipeable for easy cleanup and the bright color clearly identifies the court lines. 

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If you donโ€™t already have a net, youโ€™ll also need a portable pickleball net system.

These are lightweight and easy to set up (most only take a few minutes) and come with a carrying case. The best ones even have wheels.ย 

Great Price
Wilson Portable Pickleball Net System
5.0
$169.00
  • Sturdy and Reliable: Solid steel base ensures stability.
  • Durable: Thick, durable netting for consistent, long-lasting play.
  • Safety: Curved side legs reduce tripping for safer play.
  • Easy Storage: Includes a great carrying bag
  • Quality: USAPA approved for assured quality and standard.
  • Quick and Easy Setup: Set up or pack away in under 10 minutes.
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09/25/2025 12:04 pm GMT

How to play pickleball

In order to play an official game of pickleball, certain rules must be followed when serving and scoring.ย 

Service must start behind the right baseline for both singles and doubles matches.

In singles matches, serves alternate between players on each side whenever a point is given up.

In doubles matches, servers alternate between teams after both players on a team have had a chance to serve.ย 

Scoring goes up to 11 points with a 2-point advantage needed for victory.ย 

For a full explanation of pickleball, including rules, scoring, and equipment needed, check out our article What is Pickleball? The Truth About Americaโ€™s Fastest-Growing Sport.

aerial_tennis_pickleball_court

So there you have it! Now that you know all about the dimensions of a pickleball court, you’re ready to build your own driveway or backyard pickleball court or hit up your local community center or outdoor courts to play.ย 

Knowing the dimensions of a pickleball court is useful for learning the game, becoming a better player, and knowing how to build your own court if youโ€™re ever in a pinch.ย 

#Author

Lauren Chervinksi | Author at Racket Royalty

Lauren Chervinski

Lauren Chervinski is an experienced entrepreneur, former nurse and pickleball enthusiast. With a passion for the sport that inspired her to begin her own pickleball website Racket Royalty, she has become a trusted source of information for others looking to learn more about this fairly new sport.
Lauren
FAQs

Frequently Ask Questions

Can pickleball paddles get wet?

Yes, mostย pickleballย paddles can get wet. However, paddle handle grip tape is often made of a tacky coating that will start to get really sticky if it is exposed to too much water.

If your paddle gets REALLY wet, it could warp and become difficult to use.

Will rain ruin your pickleball equipment? How does water affect pickleballs?

Pickleballs are made of hard plastic that is not affected by water, so they are safe to get wet.

As mentioned above, the handle of your paddle could get sticky when wet. As well, some nets will rust, sag, or loosen with rain. If you have a portable net set-up, itโ€™s best to cover it or take it down in rainy weather.

How long do pickleball courts take to dry?

Depending on the court surface,ย pickleballย courts are useable almost immediately after it stops raining, but you can wait an hour to be extra safe.

The biggest danger is slipping on the slick court surface from the rain, but this is usually only a problem on clay or soft carpet courts.

How long after rain can you play pickleball?

You can play pickleball immediately after it rains, but itโ€™s best to wait an hour just to be safe.

Can playing pickleball in the rain cause injuries?

Yes, playingย pickleballย in the rain can cause injuries, but itโ€™s not a huge issue if youโ€™re extra careful.

Most injuries caused by playingย pickleballย in the rain are minor, like scrapes and bruises from slipping, but they could be more serious if you take a bad tumble or trip due to low visibility from the rain.

How to avoid injuries when playing pickleball in the rain?

To avoid injuries when playing pickleball in the rain, be sure to use extra caution when playing a match. Wear proper footwear (pickleball shoes), be sure the surface isnโ€™t slick or slippery, and check to make sure the visibility is strong.

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