A regulation pickleball court measures 44 feet long by 20 feet wide, the same size as a doubles badminton court.
As someone who has spent years both playing on and helping friends set up their own pickleball courts, I know how crucial it is to get the layout just right. It’s about more than just drawing lines; understanding the purpose of each zone is key to improving your game. This guide is your complete resource, breaking down the official pickleball court size chart into simple, easy-to-understand parts so you can play with confidence, whether you're a beginner or planning your own court.
Understanding the Official Pickleball Court Dimensions
At its core, a pickleball court is a simple rectangle. The official dimensions for both singles and doubles play are 44 feet in length from baseline to baseline and 20 feet in width from sideline to sideline. This standardized size ensures that the game is consistent no matter where you play, from a local park to a tournament venue.
When thinking about the overall space, you need more than just the court itself. For safe and enjoyable play, a total recommended playing area of at least 60 feet long and 30 feet wide is needed. This provides ample out-of-bounds space, or "run-off," allowing players to chase down shots without risk of injury. A comprehensive pickleball court size chart always accounts for this crucial buffer zone.
The Key Zones of a Pickleball Court
The magic of pickleball happens within its specific zones. Each line serves a purpose and dictates the rules of engagement. Understanding this part of the pickleball court size chart is what separates beginners from seasoned players. Let's break down the main areas you need to know.
The Non-Volley Zone (The Kitchen)
The most famous (and often feared) area in pickleball is the Non-Volley Zone, affectionately known as "the kitchen." This zone extends 7 feet from the net on both sides, spanning the entire width of the court. The rule is simple: you cannot hit a volley (hitting the ball out of the air) while any part of your body is in the kitchen.
From my experience, thinking of the kitchen line as a "lava line" for volleys is the easiest way for new players to remember the rule. You can step into the kitchen anytime to hit a ball that has already bounced, but you must re-establish your footing outside of it before hitting your next volley. This rule prevents players from smashing the ball at the net, promoting the strategic "dink" shots that make the game so unique.
The Service Courts
Behind the kitchen, the court is divided into two equal service courts. Each service court measures 10 feet wide and 15 feet long. These are the areas where players must stand when serving and where the serve must land to be considered valid.
A centerline runs from the kitchen line to the baseline, separating the right (even) and left (odd) service courts. When you serve, you must do so diagonally into the opposite service court. Getting the dimensions right on your pickleball court size chart ensures fair and accurate serves every time.
Baselines, Sidelines, and Centerline
The boundary lines frame the entire playing area. The two lines at the far ends of the court are the baselines, and the lines running along the sides are the sidelines. All lines are typically 2 inches wide and are considered in-bounds. If a ball touches any part of a line (except the kitchen line on a serve), it is a good shot.
The centerline, as mentioned, divides the service areas. It plays a critical role during the serve, helping players and referees determine if a serve landed in the correct box. This simple layout is a key feature of the official pickleball court size chart.
Pickleball Net Height and Specifications
The net is another critical element defined by the official pickleball court size chart. A regulation pickleball net should be 36 inches high at the sidelines and droop slightly to 34 inches in the center. This slight sag in the middle is an intentional feature that influences shot selection, especially during dink rallies.
The net posts should be placed 22 feet apart, extending one foot beyond each sideline. Whether you're using a permanent or portable net system, maintaining these heights is essential for fair play. I’ve played on courts where the net was too tight and high in the middle, and it completely changes the dynamic of the game, making dinks much harder to execute.
Planning Your Own Pickleball Court: Space Requirements
If you're lucky enough to be planning your own court, the pickleball court size chart becomes your blueprint. While the in-bounds area is 44 feet by 20 feet, you need to plan for much more space. The minimum recommended total area for a single court is 60 feet by 30 feet.
For a more premium or tournament-style experience, a playing surface of 64 feet by 34 feet is ideal. This extra room gives players the freedom to execute athletic shots, like the around-the-post (ATP) shot, without worrying about fences or obstacles. I once played on a backyard court with very little run-off space, and we spent half the game apologizing for nearly running into the fence. Giving yourself that extra room makes a world of difference.
Adapting Other Courts for Pickleball
You don't always need a dedicated space to enjoy a game of pickleball. The adaptable nature of the pickleball court size chart makes it easy to set up on other sport courts, with tennis courts being the most common choice.
Converting a Tennis Court
A standard tennis court is 78 feet long and 36 feet wide (for doubles), which means you can fit up to four pickleball courts inside one tennis court. You can use the existing tennis net by lowering it to the correct 34-inch center height with a center strap. From there, you just need to add the pickleball lines using temporary tape or paint. This is a fantastic and cost-effective way for communities to introduce pickleball without building new facilities.
Using a Badminton Court
A badminton court has the exact same dimensions as a pickleball court: 44 feet by 20 feet. This makes conversion incredibly simple. The only adjustments needed are lowering the badminton net (which is much higher) to the proper pickleball height and adding the kitchen lines, as a badminton court does not have a non-volley zone.
Frequently Asked Questions of pickleball court size chart
What is the total size of a pickleball court?
A standard pickleball court has playing dimensions of 44 feet in length and 20 feet in width. This size is used for both singles and doubles matches.
How big is the kitchen in pickleball?
The Non-Volley Zone, also known as the kitchen, is a 7-foot zone that extends from the net on both sides of the court. The total width of the kitchen is 14 feet.
Are pickleball court lines in or out?
All lines on a pickleball court are considered in-bounds. If a ball lands on any part of the line, including the baseline or sidelines, it is a valid shot.
Can you use a tennis court for pickleball?
Yes, a tennis court is an excellent surface for pickleball. You can fit up to four pickleball courts on one tennis court by lowering the net and adding the appropriate lines.
What is the minimum space needed for a pickleball court?
While the court itself is 44×20 feet, a minimum total rectangular area of 60×30 feet is recommended. This provides necessary out-of-bounds space for player safety and movement.
Conclusion
Mastering the pickleball court size chart is the foundation for enjoying and excelling at this fast-growing sport. From the 44-by-20-foot playing area to the critical 7-foot kitchen and the 34-inch-high net center, every measurement plays a vital role in the game's strategy and flow. This knowledge empowers you to play correctly, set up a temporary court anywhere, or even build a permanent one in your backyard.
Now that you're armed with all the details, it's time to put them into practice. Find a court, grab a paddle, and notice how these dimensions influence every serve, dink, and volley. If you have any questions or your own court-building tips, share them in the comments below