Are you looking to build a pickleball court? Or just curious to learn what the typical pickleball court dimensions are? Either way, getting to know the dimensions of a pickleball court and the various court areas will help any player better understand the fundamentals of the game, particularly pickleball novices.
While similar to other racket sports, like tennis and badminton, the pickleball court is on the smaller side and intentionally simpler to understand.
Origins of the Pickleball Court
You might already know that three American men, Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum, and Bill Bell, are credited with introducing the game of pickleball to the world. What you might not know is that it was first played on a doubles Badminton court. However, in 1967, Joel Pritchard made the first official pickleball court in his backyard. The general court layout and dimensions have remained unchanged, and the original court is still present on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
The game can be played by both singles and doubles. Here are some accessories that are helpful to play pickleball.
- Pickleball Paddles
- Pickleball Shoes
- Pickleball Balls
- Pickleball Gloves
- Pickleball Bags
- Pickleball Machines
- Pickleball Nets
- Pickleball Shirts
- Pickleball Sets
The Shape of a Pickleball Court
The overall shape of a pickleball court is rectangular, and is made up of a combination of other, smaller rectangles. Each section has a function in the game, which we dive into in more detail below.
Pickleball Court Diagram
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so before we confuse you with the sections, court areas, and the dimensions of a pickleball court, take a look at the diagram below to better familiarize yourself with what we’re talking about!
Dimensions of Pickleball Court
How Big is a Pickleball Court?
The playable part of a pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long (20’x44’). If you want to build a court, you should plan to have some extra space all the way around. USA Pickleball recommends the overall playing space be at least 30 feet x 64 feet to fit the pickleball court, but ideally it’s closer to 34 feet by 64 feet. That will give you several extra feet on every side.
Unlike in tennis, the court size remains the same size whether you’re playing doubles or singles in pickleball, which means you won’t need any extra space if you want to play doubles (woohoo!). For more info on how tennis and pickleball compare, you can also check out Tennis vs. Pickleball.
Partitions in Pickleball Court
In essence, each side of the pickleball court can be divided into 3 parts. On either side of the net, there’s a 7 feet non-volley zone. The non-volley zone is delineated by a line parallel to the net, so each player knows exactly where it is. The non-volley zone is more commonly known as the “kitchen” in pickleball.
There are two service areas on the court that a player might serve the ball into, depending on which side of the court they’re serving from. An interior line splits the left and right service areas, known as the centerline. It starts in the middle of the non-volley zone line and ends at the baseline, cutting the court in half. Both the left and right service areas have dimensions of 10’x15’.
Lines in a Pickleball Court
Along with the interior lines discussed above, there are also exterior lines to delineate when a shot is hit out of bounds. On each side of the net, these lines are at the far end of the court (known as baseline) and on the far right and left edges of the court (known as sidelines).
Each line is 2 inches wide and is preferably white in color. The 20’x44’ dimensions of the court already include the width of lines, so you do not have to add the width of the lines in court dimensions separately.
In total, these are the lines on each side of the pickleball court:
- Baseline: It is at each end of the court. The baseline runs parallel to the net, is 20 feet wide, and starts 22 feet from the net.
- Centerline: This line is in the middle of the court and splits the left and right service areas.
- Non-volley line: So there’s no confusion, it clearly shows every player where the non-volley zone is. It runs the full width of the court, runs parallel to the net and baseline, and it is 7 feet from the net.
- Sidelines: The sidelines are at perpendicular angles to the net.
The Net Dimensions
As with other racket sports, the pickleball net is placed in the middle of the court. It is made of any mesh material that allows players to easily see the ball through the net while also preventing the pickleball from passing through. The height of the netting should be at least 30 inches and the length should be at least 21 feet 9 inches. The top edge of the net should have a cord or cable and it should be covered with a 2-inch tape.
When suspended, the top of the net is to be 36 inches off the ground at either post and at least 34 inches high in the center. (So if the net is 30 inches tall, that would leave 4 inches under the net at the center.)
The distance from the inside of one post to the inside of the other should be 22 feet, and the maximum diameter of the posts is 3 inches.
FAQs
What are the dimensions of a pickleball court in feet?
Per the USA Pickleball Rulebook, the court is to be a rectangle measuring 20 feet by 44 feet with a surrounding margin. The minimum playing surface for a pickleball court is 30 feet by 60 feet, but the recommended area is 34 feet by 64 feet.
Can we Play Pickleball on Carpet?
Yes, if you want, pickleball can be played on carpet. However, it is not recommended. Instead, it is recommended to play pickleball on hard surfaces (i.e., gym floors, tennis courts, or concrete) as the ball will not bounce as well on carpeting.
Is a pickleball court the same size as a badminton court?
Pickleball and doubles badminton courts have the same dimensions. In feet, both are 20′ x 44′.
What are pickleball court dimensions in meters?
The dimension of pickleball court in meters is as follows:
- Pickleball playing surface in meters: 10m x 19.5m
- Actual court dimensions: 6.1m x 13.4m
How much space do I need to build a pickleball court?
At minimum, to build a court, you will need 30 feet by 60 feet, though a little bit more is recommended. The standard size for a pickleball court is 34 feet x 64 feet. This leaves some margin on all sides of the pickleball court lines, which form a are 20 feet x 44 feet rectangle.
How much room do you need around a pickleball court?
The minimum margin is 5 feet on either side of the court and 8 feet at each baseline. At least 7 feet on either side and 10 feet of extra space at each baseline is recommended.
Final Words & Key Takeaways
Pickleball courts are pretty straightforward to understand. The dimensions are the same whether you are playing on an indoor pickleball court or an outdoor pickleball court as well as if you’re playing singles or doubles. Planning a pickleball court does not require much work, so if you have the space and love pickleball, you can build one of your own relatively easily.
Also, knowing the rules, court areas, and dimensions of the court can help refine your game strategies. For example, now you know that the center of the net isn’t as high, you can try using that information to your advantage next time you’re out on the court.
For more reading, check out our post on common pickleball myths.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 29, 2022 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.