Pickleball Court Dimensions: Size, Kitchen & Net Height

Key dimensions at a glance

Element	Metric	Imperial	Rule
Court (singles and doubles)	6.10 × 13.41 m	20 × 44 ft	3.A.1
Non-volley zone, each side of the net	2.13 × 6.10 m	7 × 20 ft	3.A.4.c; 3.A.1
Service court, each	3.05 × 4.57 m	10 × 15 ft	derived
Line width	5.08 cm	2 in	3.A.4.e
Net height at the sidelines	91.44 cm	36 in (±¼ in)	3.B.6
Net height at the centre	86.36 cm	34 in (±¼ in)	3.B.7
Posts, inside to inside	6.71 m	22 ft (±1 in)	3.B.2
Net length / depth	≥ 6.63 m / ≥ 76.2 cm	≥ 21 ft 9 in / ≥ 30 in	3.B.3
Minimum playing area	9.14 × 18.29 m	30 × 60 ft	3.A.3
Recommended playing area	10.36 × 19.5 m	34 × 64 ft	3.A.3
Stadium court	15.24 × 24.38 m	50 × 80 ft	3.A.3

USA Pickleball states the court in feet, with metric equivalents. The International Pickleball Federation’s equipment manual gives the same court in metres.

How the court is marked

All lines are 2 in wide and the court is measured to their outside edges. The non-volley zone is the 7 × 20 ft area on each side of the net, bounded by the net, the sidelines and the non-volley-zone line — and that line is part of the zone. A centreline runs from each non-volley-zone line to the baseline, dividing the back court into two 10 × 15 ft service courts.

The same lines serve singles and doubles. The court is identical in both games; only the rules of play change.

Net and posts

The posts stand 22 ft apart, inside to inside — so roughly 1 ft outside each sideline. The net is at least 21 ft 9 in long and at least 30 in deep, topped with 2 in white tape over a cord. It sits 36 in above the court where it crosses the outer edge of the sidelines and 34 in at the centre, held down by an optional centre strap.

Playing area, spacing, light and surface

USA Pickleball defines the space around the court as a total playing area:

Minimum: 30 × 60 ft (9.14 × 18.29 m) — with the court centred, 5 ft beside each sideline and 8 ft behind each baseline (our arithmetic).
Recommended: 34 × 64 ft (10.36 × 19.5 m) for new construction and tournament play — 7 ft at the sides and 10 ft at the ends.
Stadium court: 50 × 80 ft (15.24 × 24.38 m).

The rulebook does not set spacing between adjacent courts. If each court keeps its own minimum playing area, neighbouring courts sit 10 ft apart; at the recommended area, 14 ft — our arithmetic, not a USA Pickleball figure. The International Pickleball Federation’s equipment manual adds lighting guidance — a 200–300 lux minimum, and 600–750 lux for professional tournaments — and a concrete or asphalt base with a textured acrylic finish outdoors.

Figures that circulate but are wrong

“The net is 36 in high.” At the sidelines. At the centre it is 34 in.
“30 × 60 ft is the recommended area.” It is the minimum. The recommendation is 34 × 64 ft.
“The court is measured inside the lines.” It is measured to the outside edges.
“The net bottom must clear the court by 30 in.” The rule is that the net itself is at least 30 in deep.
“Rule 2.A sets the court.” Court and net rules are in Section 3 (3.A and 3.B) of the 2026 rulebook.

What this means for a pickleball facility

Pickleball courts are small, which makes them easy to over-pack. The decisions that matter are the playing area per court, noise — the paddle is loud, and it decides siting near housing — fencing, lighting, orientation and the clubhouse that carries the business.

We plan pickleball courts and clubs from these figures, including conversions of existing tennis courts. See Pickleball Court Design and our Padel & Pickleball Club concept.

Sources

Figures checked against these documents on 2 Oct 2026. Where a figure is our own arithmetic from official values, the text says so.

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