What Are The Standard Dimensions of a Pickleball Court?

Have you ever walked past a pickleball court and wondered, “How big is that thing?” 

Or have you ever thought about building one in your backyard, but weren’t sure if it would fit? 

If so, you’re in luck! 

In this blog post, we’ll break down the exact dimensions of a standard pickleball court.

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

Let’s start with the basics. 

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.

• 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. 

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. 

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

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

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. 

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.

pickleball court vs tennis court dimensions 

If you’re used to playing tennis or volleyball, then you’ll find that a pickleball court has some unique dimensions. 

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. 

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

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

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. 

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

How much space do you need for a pickleball court?

Whether it’s a concrete slab, driveway, backyard, or parking lot, you should reserve 30 feet by 60 feet for a pickleball court. 

This is because you’ll need space on the sides for players to move around and serve. 

If you’re unsure you have the proper space for a pickleball court, it’s a good idea to use tape to create a temporary court with the dimensions you have available. 

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 you’re looking to build a driveway or backyard pickleball court but you don’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 skills—especially when you have no one to play against.  

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 aren’t effective on a standard-sized court. 

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

Indoor vs Outdoor pickleball courts 

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

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. 

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

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

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

How to build an outdoor pickleball court 

Building your own pickleball court is actually pretty easy. 

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

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

If you don’t already have a net, you’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. 

How to play pickleball

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

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. 

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

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

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. 

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 you’re ever in a pinch.