Tennis Court Dimensions: Complete Measurements and Layout Guide

Official Court Dimensions

A regulation tennis court measures 78 feet (23.77 meters) in length from baseline to baseline. The width depends on whether the court is used for singles or doubles play. A singles court is 27 feet (8.23 meters) wide, while a doubles court extends to 36 feet (10.97 meters) wide, adding 4.5 feet of alley space on each side.

These dimensions are standardized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and apply to all levels of competitive play, from local club matches to Grand Slam tournaments. The playing surface is divided into equal halves by the net, with each side measuring 39 feet from the net to the baseline.

• Total court length: 78 feet (23.77 meters)
• Singles court width: 27 feet (8.23 meters)
• Doubles court width: 36 feet (10.97 meters)
• Doubles alley width: 4.5 feet (1.37 meters) on each side
• Distance from net to service line: 21 feet (6.40 meters)
• Distance from service line to baseline: 18 feet (5.49 meters)

Total Area Including Run-Off

The playing lines define the court, but players need additional space around the perimeter to chase down wide balls, return deep serves, and move safely. The ITF recommends a minimum of 21 feet of clearance behind each baseline and 12 feet of clearance on each side for competitive play.

For recreational and club-level play, the standard total area for a single court is 120 feet long by 60 feet wide (7,200 square feet). This provides adequate run-off space for comfortable play without the full competition-grade clearances required for professional events. Tournament-level facilities use dimensions of up to 130 feet by 64 feet to accommodate officials, ball persons, and player movement at the highest speeds.

Net Height and Post Specifications

The net spans the full width of the court and is held in place by a cable or metal cord that passes over two net posts. The net height at the center is 3 feet (0.914 meters), held down by a center strap. At the net posts, the height is 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 meters). This slight sag in the center is intentional and affects shot selection, as balls crossing near the center of the net pass over a lower barrier.

Net posts are positioned 3 feet outside the doubles sideline on each side, making the total distance between posts 42 feet. For courts used exclusively for singles play, the posts may be placed 3 feet outside the singles sideline, with singles sticks inserted to hold the net at the correct height along the singles sideline.

1. 1Net height at center: 3 feet (0.914 meters), secured by a center strap
2. 2Net height at posts: 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 meters)
3. 3Distance between net posts: 42 feet (12.80 meters) for doubles
4. 4Net post position: 3 feet outside the doubles sideline on each side
5. 5Singles sticks height: 3 feet 6 inches, placed 3 feet outside the singles sideline

Line Markings Explained

Every line on a tennis court serves a specific purpose, and understanding their placement is essential for proper court construction and maintenance. All lines must be between 1 and 2 inches wide, with the baseline allowed to be up to 4 inches wide. Lines are considered part of the court they define, so a ball that touches any part of a line is in.

The baseline runs along each end of the court and marks the boundary for serve returns and baseline rallies. The center mark is a short line (4 inches long) that bisects the baseline, indicating where the server should stand relative to the center. The service line sits 21 feet from the net and, together with the center service line, creates two equal service boxes on each side of the court.

• Baselines: 27 feet (singles) or 36 feet (doubles) across each end of the court
• Sidelines: Run the full 78-foot length of the court along each side
• Service line: Parallel to the net, 21 feet from it on each side
• Center service line: Perpendicular to the net, dividing the service area into two equal boxes
• Center mark: A 4-inch line at the midpoint of each baseline
• Doubles alleys: Defined by the singles and doubles sidelines, 4.5 feet wide

Surface Types and Maintenance Costs

The surface you choose affects playing speed, ball bounce, player comfort, and long-term maintenance costs. Each surface has distinct characteristics that attract different types of players and require different levels of upkeep.

Hard courts (acrylic or asphalt-based) are the most common surface in the United States. They provide a consistent, medium-speed playing experience and require resurfacing every 4 to 8 years at a cost of $4,000 to $8,000 per court. Annual maintenance includes pressure washing, crack repair, and line repainting.

Clay courts (Har-Tru or red clay) offer a slower playing speed that favors baseline players and reduces joint stress. They require daily maintenance, including watering, rolling, and line sweeping. Annual operating costs run $2,000 to $4,000 per court, with a full rebuild needed every 7 to 10 years.

Grass courts are the rarest and most expensive surface to maintain. They produce a fast, low-bouncing game and require daily mowing, regular aeration, and seasonal overseeding. Annual maintenance costs can exceed $10,000 per court, making grass impractical for most club facilities.

Multi-Court Facility Layout

When building a facility with multiple courts, proper spacing between courts is critical for safety and playability. The ITF recommends a minimum of 12 feet between adjacent courts when they share a common run-off area. This means two side-by-side courts with shared clearance require a total width of approximately 132 feet (60 plus 12 plus 60).

Orient courts on a north-south axis whenever possible to minimize sun glare for players. East-west orientation forces players to look directly into the sun during morning and evening hours, which are often the busiest periods at clubs. If site constraints prevent a true north-south alignment, a deviation of up to 22 degrees is generally acceptable.

Plan for spectator areas, walkways, and fencing in your layout. A minimum 10-foot walkway between the court fence and any building or parking area allows comfortable pedestrian flow. Fencing should be 10 feet high around the perimeter, with windscreens attached to reduce cross-court wind interference and provide visual privacy from adjacent properties.

Planning and Construction Considerations

Before breaking ground on new courts, conduct a thorough site assessment that includes soil testing, drainage evaluation, and a review of local zoning and permitting requirements. Poor drainage is the most common cause of premature court deterioration, so invest in proper grading and subsurface drainage systems during construction.

Budget for the full lifecycle of your courts, not just the initial construction. A single hard court costs $25,000 to $60,000 to build, depending on the region, site preparation needs, and surface quality. Add lighting ($15,000 to $30,000 per court), fencing ($10,000 to $20,000), and ongoing maintenance to your financial projections.

Work with a contractor who specializes in tennis court construction. General contractors may not understand the precise grading tolerances, surface material specifications, and drainage requirements that tennis courts demand. The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) maintains a directory of certified court builders who meet industry standards.