Do you know the dimensions of a pickleball court?
Although pickleball courts do have a similar layout to both badminton courts and tennis courts – and often get confused with both – they’re not completely identical.
Understanding the proper set up and dimensions of a pickleball court is a crucial part of understanding the rules of the game itself.
It’s also important to know the correct pickleball court measurements and court line positions when setting up your own pickleball court at home or when converting a tennis court into a pickleball court.
Here is everything you need to know about the pickleball court size and layout, including pickleball court measurements and court lines.
What are the dimensions of a pickleball court?
So, what is the size of a pickleball court?
Like all pickleball rules, the official pickleball court size is determined by the International Federation for Pickleball (IFP).
These rules are followed by USA Pickleball, as well as a number of other national pickleball associations around the world.
The IFP states that the dimensions of a pickleball court should be 20 feet wide by 44 feet long (6.10m x 13.41m in metric) for both singles and doubles matches.
This is the same court size as a doubles badminton court. Not all too surprising considering that pickleball came from a modified version of badminton!
How much space do you need for a pickleball court?
While 20’ x 44’ are the official dimensions of a pickleball court, it’s also important to allow for adequate space around the perimeter for players to move around (also known as overrun).
According to the IFP, the recommended total playing surface area (including overrun) for a pickleball court should be 30’ x 60’ (9.14m x 18.29m) as a minimum.
However, if you’ve got the extra room when setting up your pickleball court, a total court size of 40’ x 64’ (12.19m x 19.51m) will allow for ultimate game play.
In the 2021 pickleball rule update, the IFP also announced new guidelines for wheelchair play, in which case the recommended overall pickleball court measurements are 44’ x 74’ (13.41m x 22.55m).
How do you layout a pickleball court?
So now that you know the correct outer dimensions of a pickleball court, the next step is laying out the pickleball court lines.
The basis of a pickleball court are the 20’ baselines, which run parallel to the net at each end, and the 44’ side-lines, which run perpendicular to the net on each side.
The net runs through the middle of the court with a 7’ non-volley zone (NVZ) on each side which is known as the ‘kitchen’.
Finally, the areas beyond the NVZ are the service courts where players stand.
The service courts are split into two 10’ areas by the centerline, which runs through the middle. The even court is the service court on the right when facing the net, while the odd court is on the left.
When setting up your own pickleball court, it’s important to note that the 2 inch (5.08cm) pickleball court lines are included in all of the measurements above. Be sure not to accidentally widen your court by measuring to the inner edge of the lines instead of to the outer edge.
Another important point to note: Pickleball court lines also need to be white or another solid color which contrasts with the color of the court in order for them to stand out.
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Pickleball Court vs Tennis Court
Many beginner pickleball players assume that a pickleball court is the same as a tennis court.
And, while the pickleball net height is almost the same as a tennis net, the two games actually have very different origins and the court sizes are considerably different.
How big is a pickleball court compared to a tennis court?
A pickleball court is much smaller than a tennis court – almost half the length and narrower in width.
Unlike tennis, the size of a pickleball court also remains the same for both singles and doubles matches.
The dimensions of a pickleball court are 20’ x 44’, while a standard tennis court is 27’ x 78’ (8.23m x 23.77m) for singles matches and 36’ x 78’ (10.97m x 23.77m) for doubles matches.
Including overrun, the full size of a tennis court is 60’ x 120’ (18.29m x 36.58m), compared with the pickleball court size which is only 30’ x 60’ (9.14m x 18.29m).
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Can you convert a tennis court to a pickleball court?
It is possible to convert a tennis court to a pickleball court as the two are both played on the same type of surface. In fact, most people begin playing pickleball on a converted tennis court.
The simplest way to convert a tennis court into a pickleball court is to simply lower the existing net and paint on the correct dimensions of a pickleball court within the tennis court lines. This is also known as ‘blended lines’ and means that the court can still easily be used for both sports.
For a less permanent conversion, you could also bring your own portable pickleball net and portable pickleball court lines to set up a temporary pickleball court within a tennis court.
How many pickleball courts can you put on a tennis court?
Given that tennis courts have a total court size of 60’ x 120’ (18.29m x 36.58m), if you utilize the space properly, you can fit up to four 30’ x 60’ pickleball courts into one tennis court.
That’s great news for pickleball players looking to convert their local tennis court!
To convert a tennis court into a pickleball court, it’s fairly simple. All you need to do is divide the tennis court into four equal quadrants and set up a pickleball court in each area – either temporarily or permanently.
The only downside of temporarily setting up multiple pickleball courts inside of one tennis court is that there won’t be any fencing to contain the ball within the individual playing areas. If that is an issue, you can always leave the tennis net in place to act as a backstop for the two sets of courts on each side.
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Hi,
To me, knowing the lines are painted inside the court than the court is 20×44 because you can play a lot without knowing the dimentions, but not much without understanding hitting the lines is fair.
Also calling space outside the lines misleads. Very many of my friends play as if they should stay inside the lines. Positioning oneself for a good serve or to return a serve is far from being an overrun.
Too many habitually step on the baseline serving because they feel uncomfortable behind the line. Too many miss deep returns because the are uncomfortable behind their baseline.
Players need to be introduced to the space outside the lines as essential to good play, not mere accidental overruns.
John here. A couple of details didn’t make it from my brain to the above comment:
Knowing the lines are painted inside the court IS MORE IMPORTANT than knowing the dimensions.
And: Calling the space outside the lines THE OVERRUN AREA misleads.
Knowing all the lines are inside the area they define explains why a ball hitting a sideline or baseline is good… a friendly thing. Those lines are painted within the 20×44 space. And why the kitchen line might seem unfriendly. The 7′ line is painted on the non-volley zone. Contacting the line is contacting the area. Similarly, the first seven feet of each sideline is also painted on the non-volley zone.
My objection to calling space outside the lines an overrun is that serving legally requires staying on the “overrun area” up to the point the ball is struck. Similarly, being able to return deep serves requires the receiver to be on the overrun area. So “overrun” hardly describes it’s important function.
It’s nice to see outdoor Pickleball courts being built in some areas. Pickleball’s smaller footprint is proven to be preferable to huge communal venues, allowing more people to participate. I’ve been playing this sport for about a year.