Pickleball Court Dimensions: Official Size, Interactive Diagram & Layout Planner
A regulation pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. Use our interactive diagram to explore every zone (kitchen, service areas, baselines) with official USA Pickleball measurements in feet or meters.
Click on any zone in the diagram to see its dimensions and details
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A regulation pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long (6.10m × 13.41m), giving it a total playing area of 880 square feet. This is the same footprint as a doubles badminton court, which is one reason pickleball courts are often set up inside gymnasiums that already have badminton lines marked.
The court is bisected by a net that stands 36 inches high at the sideline posts and dips to 34 inches at the center. Net posts are positioned 22 feet apart, and the net itself must span at least 21 feet 9 inches from post to post. The top edge is bound by a 2-inch white tape over a cord or cable. All boundary lines on the court are 2 inches wide, and measurements are taken to the outside edge of each line — meaning the line itself is inside the playing area.
These specifications come directly from the USA Pickleball rulebook and apply universally to recreational, league, and tournament play. Whether you’re taping lines in a gym, painting a dedicated surface, or planning new construction, these are the numbers your layout needs to hit.
Pickleball Court Zones Explained
The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)
The kitchen is the 7-foot zone on each side of the net, spanning the full 20-foot width of the court. Its total area is 140 square feet per side (280 square feet combined). Players may not hit the ball out of the air (volley) while standing in the kitchen or touching any of its boundary lines. You can step into the kitchen to play a ball that has already bounced. The kitchen line is parallel to the net and sits 7 feet from the center of the court on each side.
Service Areas
Behind each kitchen zone, the court is split by a centerline into two service areas: left and right. Each service area measures 10 feet wide by 15 feet deep (150 square feet). The server stands behind the baseline and serves diagonally into the opponent’s opposite service area. The centerline runs from the kitchen line to the baseline and is included as part of both service areas.
Baselines and Sidelines
The baseline runs along the back of the court, parallel to the net, at the 44-foot mark. Sidelines run the full 44-foot length of the court on each edge. Both the baseline and sidelines are boundary lines — a ball landing on any part of the line is considered in.
Net Specifications
The net must be at least 21 feet 9 inches long, with posts no more than 3 inches in diameter set at the sidelines. Center height is 34 inches; sideline height is 36 inches. A center strap is used to hold the net down to the correct 34-inch center height. If you’re using a portable net system, verify that it meets these height requirements before organized play.
Recommended Total Playing Area (Buffer Zones)
The 20 × 44 foot court is just the playing surface. You need additional space around it for player safety, ball retrieval, and comfortable play.
USA Pickleball specifies three tiers. The minimum recommended total area is 30 feet wide by 60 feet long. This provides 5 feet of clearance on each side and 8 feet behind each baseline — enough for casual play but tight for competitive games. The preferred total area is 34 feet wide by 64 feet long, adding more room for players tracking deep lobs and wide returns. For tournament play, USA Pickleball recommends 40 feet wide by 64 feet long, which provides generous spacing for referees, player movement, and spectator safety.
When installing multiple courts side by side, plan for at least 10 feet between sidelines (or use divider nets if spacing is tighter). Outdoor courts should be oriented north-south to minimize sun glare during morning and late-afternoon play.
How Many Pickleball Courts Fit on a Tennis Court?
A standard tennis court pad measures 60 feet wide by 120 feet long. This space accommodates up to four pickleball courts using the 30 × 60 minimum layout, though most facilities opt for two courts with comfortable buffers or three courts as a balanced compromise.
For a two-court layout, courts sit side by side with the tennis net serving as a backstop. This configuration keeps 10 feet between courts and 8 feet behind each baseline — ideal for clubs that share the surface with tennis. For a four-court layout, courts are arranged in a 2 × 2 quad, with reduced spacing behind baselines (approximately 6 feet). This configuration works best for dedicated pickleball facilities or large events.
Use our court conversion calculator to see the exact layout for your situation, including equipment lists and spacing details. For a deeper dive into managing shared-sport facilities, see our guide on converting tennis courts to pickleball.
Indoor vs Outdoor Considerations
Indoor courts need a minimum ceiling height of 18 feet to prevent interference with lob shots — though 20 feet or more is preferred for competitive play. Gymnasium floors (hardwood or sport tile) work well; just ensure adequate lighting to avoid shadows on the playing surface.
Outdoor courts are typically surfaced with acrylic over asphalt or concrete, which provides good traction and consistent ball bounce. Post-tensioned concrete offers superior crack resistance in regions with freeze-thaw cycles. Plan for windscreens on perimeter fencing if your area is prone to strong gusts, and consider a north-south court orientation to keep the sun out of players’ eyes.