A pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long (6.10 × 13.41 m) for both singles and doubles. Unlike tennis, the court doesn’t widen for doubles. Every measurement below comes from Section 3 of the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, with the rule number so you can check it.
Source: 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, Rules 3.A.1, 3.A.3 and 3.A.4.c; area calculated by Pickleland
Official court dimensions
| Measurement | Feet / inches | Metric | Rule (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court, width × length | 20 × 44 ft | 6.10 × 13.41 m | 3.A.1 |
| Each half (net to baseline) | 22 ft | 6.71 m | 3.A.1 |
| Non-volley zone (kitchen), each side | 7 × 20 ft | 2.13 × 6.10 m | 3.A.4.c |
| Service court, each | 10 × 15 ft | 3.05 × 4.57 m | 3.A.4.f |
| Line width | 2 in | 5.08 cm | 3.A.4.e |
| Where to measure | To the outside edge of perimeter and kitchen lines | 3.A.2 |
The 44-foot length splits into 22 feet per side. The first 7 feet from the net is the non-volley zone. The remaining 15 feet is divided by the centerline into two service courts, each 10 feet wide and 15 feet deep. The centerline runs from the kitchen line to the baseline only. It doesn’t continue through the kitchen, except for mini-singles, where an extra line is added (Rule 14.B.1.c; see skinny singles).
Which lines are in? All lines should be the same color and contrast with the surface (3.A.4.e). Each line belongs to the area it bounds: the kitchen lines are part of the kitchen, and the sideline, baseline and centerline are part of the service court. That’s why a serve landing on the kitchen line is out, but one landing on the baseline is in. More in serve rules.
Net and post specifications
| Measurement | Spec | Rule (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Height at the sidelines | 36 in (91.44 cm), ± 0.25 in | 3.B.6 |
| Height at the center | 34 in (86.36 cm), ± 0.25 in | 3.B.7 |
| Distance between posts (inside to inside) | 22 ft (6.71 m), ± 1 in | 3.B.2 |
| Maximum post diameter | 3 in (7.62 cm) | 3.B.2 |
| Net length | At least 21 ft 9 in (6.63 m) | 3.B.3 |
| Net height (bottom edge to top) | At least 30 in (76.2 cm) | 3.B.3 |
| Top binding | 2-in white tape over a cord or cable | 3.B.4 |
| Center strap | Optional, at the center, to set the 34-in height | 3.B.5 |
The 2-inch dip in the middle is written into the rules. Our net height guide explains how to measure and adjust it.
How much space you need
The court is 880 square feet, but you need room around it to chase lobs and wide balls. The rulebook’s numbers (Rule 3.A.3):
| Purpose | Surface (width × length) | Area | Court’s share of the surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 30 × 60 ft (9.14 × 18.29 m) | 1,800 sq ft | 49% |
| New construction (recommended) | 34 × 64 ft (10.36 × 19.5 m) | 2,176 sq ft | 40% |
| Tournament play | 34 × 64 ft (10.36 × 19.5 m) | 2,176 sq ft | 40% |
| Stadium court | 50 × 80 ft (15.24 × 24.38 m) | 4,000 sq ft | 22% |
So a recommended court footprint is about 2.5 times the size of the lines themselves. The extra space works out to 7 feet beside each sideline and 10 feet behind each baseline. Areas and shares are our calculation from the rulebook dimensions.
The court lines enclose 880 sq ft in every case; the rest is run-off space.
Source: 2026 USA Pickleball rulebook Rule 3.A.3; areas calculated by Pickleland
Indoors, ceiling height matters too. The rulebook doesn’t set a minimum, but a low ceiling turns lobs into faults (a ball that hits a ceiling or light is a fault against the hitter, Rule 10.C.4). See indoor vs outdoor pickleball.
Pickleball court vs tennis court
A tennis court is 78 feet long and 36 feet wide for doubles, roughly the footprint of four pickleball courts once run-off is included. That ratio is why so many tennis facilities have added pickleball lines. Details in pickleball court vs tennis court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of a pickleball court?
20 feet wide by 44 feet long, for both singles and doubles. The non-volley zone extends 7 feet from the net on each side, and each service court is 10 feet by 15 feet.
Is a pickleball court the same size for singles and doubles?
Yes. Unlike tennis, pickleball uses the same 20 × 44 ft court for both. Only the positioning and service rules change.
How big is the kitchen in pickleball?
The non-volley zone (the kitchen) extends 7 feet from the net on each side and spans the full 20-foot width: 140 square feet per side, 280 in total.
How much space do I need for a backyard pickleball court?
A 30 × 60 ft surface is the rulebook minimum, and 34 × 64 ft is its recommendation for new construction. Anything tighter and players will run out of court chasing normal shots. See how to build a pickleball court in your backyard.
How far is the baseline from the kitchen line?
15 feet. The 22-foot half-court is made up of the 7-foot non-volley zone plus the 15-foot service court depth.