Official pickleball court dimensions in metric and imperial, net heights, the kitchen - and how to mark a court on a badminton or tennis court.
Pickleball Court Dimensions: Size, Net Height & How to Mark One Out
Key takeaway: A pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long (6.10m x 13.41m) – the same size for singles and doubles. The net is 36 inches (91.4cm) high at the posts and 34 inches (86.4cm) at the centre, and the non-volley zone ("the kitchen") extends 7 feet (2.13m) either side of the net.
Official pickleball court dimensions (metric and imperial)
| Feature | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Court length | 44 ft | 13.41 m |
| Court width | 20 ft | 6.10 m |
| Net height (posts) | 36 in | 91.4 cm |
| Net height (centre) | 34 in | 86.4 cm |
| Non-volley zone (each side) | 7 ft | 2.13 m |
| Service boxes | 10 ft x 15 ft | 3.05 m x 4.57 m |
| Recommended total playing area | 30 ft x 60 ft | 9.1 m x 18.3 m |
Unlike tennis, the court is identical for singles and doubles – no tramlines to worry about.
The zones explained
The kitchen (non-volley zone)
The 7-foot zone either side of the net where volleying is banned. It exists to prevent net-camping smash fests and it's what makes pickleball's soft game possible. Full rules (including the classic momentum fault): what is the kitchen?
Service areas
Behind the kitchen line, each side splits into left and right service boxes. Serves go diagonally and must clear the kitchen – serve rules in full: how to serve in pickleball.
Marking a pickleball court on a badminton or tennis court
Badminton court: the easiest conversion in sport – a doubles badminton court is exactly 20 x 44 feet. Lower the net to 34/36 inches, tape the kitchen lines 7 feet from the net, and you're playing. This is why UK leisure centres have adopted pickleball so quickly.
Tennis court: one tennis court fits up to four pickleball courts (two per side of the net, using portable nets). For casual play, one court centred on the tennis net works with the net lowered to 34 inches at centre.
Driveway or playground: you need a flat area of at least 30 x 60 feet for comfortable play. Chalk or masking tape for lines, a portable net, and outdoor balls – see indoor vs outdoor pickleballs for why the ball choice matters.
How does it compare to other courts?
A pickleball court (6.1m x 13.4m) is roughly a quarter of a tennis court's total playing area, and noticeably smaller than a padel court (10m x 20m, enclosed). The compact size is exactly why rallies are long and games are social – more on that in what is pickleball? and padel vs pickleball.
FAQ
Are singles and doubles pickleball courts the same size?
Yes – 20 x 44 feet for both. Only the serving rules change.
Can you play pickleball on a badminton court?
Yes, and it's the ideal conversion: the dimensions are identical. You only need to lower the net and add kitchen lines.
How much space do you need around the court?
USA Pickleball recommends a total area of 30 x 60 feet minimum, ideally 34 x 64 feet for tournament play, to give safe run-off room.
What surface is best?
Any hard, flat surface: acrylic sports surfacing, concrete or asphalt outdoors; sprung wooden or vinyl sports floors indoors.
Gear up with AIXO
Got a court sorted? All you need now is a paddle:
- AIXO Ghost Ultra Noir – T700 carbon, the perfect first serious paddle
- AIXO Scorpion Country Club – 3K carbon, USAPA approved for league play
- AIXO Reaper Insane Bolt – 18K carbon, thermoformed pro performance
Or browse the full AIXO pickleball paddle collection.