Free Reference Guide

Pickleball Court Dimensions

Official pickleball court size, measurements, net height, kitchen dimensions, and layout — with an interactive diagram and feet/meters toggle.

Interactive Court Diagram

Hover or tap on court zones to learn more

All Official Measurements

Per USA Pickleball / IFP rulebook

Measurement	Feet / Inches
Overall CourtThe total playing surface from baseline to baseline, including all lines. Same dimensions for singles and doubles.	44' × 20'
Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)Extends 7 feet from the net on each side. Players cannot volley (hit the ball out of the air) while standing in this zone.	7' deep × 20' wide
Service Area (each)Behind the kitchen on each side, divided by the centerline into right and left service courts.	15' deep × 10' wide
Net Height (center)The net sags slightly in the center. Regulation nets are 34 inches at center.	34"
Net Height (sidelines)The net is 36 inches at each sideline post, 2 inches higher than the center.	36"
Net LengthThe net extends at least 6 inches past each sideline (20-foot court + overhang on each side).	21' 9"
CenterlineDivides each service area into right (even) and left (odd) courts. Runs from kitchen line to baseline.	15' long
Minimum Playing AreaUSA Pickleball recommends at least 5 feet of clearance behind each baseline and 2 feet on each side.	54' × 24'
Recommended Playing AreaFor tournament play, 10 feet behind each baseline and 7 feet on each side is preferred.	64' × 34'
Line WidthAll lines on a pickleball court are 2 inches wide. Lines are part of the court (in-bounds).	2"

44' × 20'

Court Size

34"

Net Height (Center)

Kitchen Depth

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Pickleball Court vs. Tennis Court

A standard pickleball court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide — a total of 880 square feet. A regulation tennis doubles court is 78 feet by 36 feet — 2,808 square feet. That means a tennis court is roughly 3.2 times larger than a pickleball court.

This size difference is why you can fit up to 4 pickleball courts on a single tennis court using temporary lines and portable nets. Many parks and recreation centers convert underused tennis courts to pickleball this way. With permanent conversion, you typically get 2-4 dedicated pickleball courts from one tennis court.

The smaller court size is one reason pickleball is so accessible — less ground to cover means players of all ages and fitness levels can compete. It also makes pickleball courts far cheaper to build. A new pickleball court costs $11,000-$22,000 on average vs. $25,000-$50,000+ for tennis.

What Is the Kitchen in Pickleball?

The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), universally known as the "kitchen," is the 7-foot area on each side of the net. It extends the full 20-foot width of the court. The kitchen is marked by a line parallel to the net, and that line itself is part of the kitchen.

The key rule: you cannot volley (hit the ball out of the air) while any part of your body is touching the kitchen or its lines. This includes your momentum — if you volley the ball and your momentum carries you into the kitchen after the shot, it's a fault.

You can enter the kitchen freely to hit a ball that has bounced. Many winning strategies involve "dinking" — hitting soft shots that land in the opponent's kitchen, forcing them to let it bounce and hit upward.

Court Surface Types

The surface material affects ball speed, bounce, joint impact, and maintenance costs. Here are the most common pickleball court surfaces:

Concrete

+ Durable, low maintenance, consistent bounce

- Hard on joints, can crack over time

Best for: Outdoor permanent courts

Asphalt

+ Cost-effective, easy to build

- Rougher surface, harder on balls and joints

Best for: Community outdoor courts

Sport Tiles (e.g., SnapSports)

+ Shock-absorbing, great drainage, low maintenance

- Higher initial cost, ball speed changes

Best for: Indoor and premium outdoor courts

Wood (Indoor Gym)

+ Excellent cushioning, fast play

- Only for indoor use, requires maintenance

Best for: Indoor recreation centers, gyms

Acrylic (SportMaster, DecoTurf)

+ Cushioned, customizable speed, pro-level

- Requires professional installation

Best for: Tournament-grade courts

How to Set Up a Temporary Pickleball Court

You can set up a pickleball court on any flat surface — driveway, gym floor, parking lot, or tennis court. Here's what you need:

Measure your space

You need at least 30' × 60' for comfortable play (44' × 20' court plus buffer). A tennis court gives you room for 2-4 pickleball courts.

Mark the lines

Use painter's tape (blue) for temporary lines or chalk for outdoor surfaces. Measure 44' long × 20' wide, then mark the kitchen 7' from each side of the net.

Set up the net

A portable pickleball net should be 22' wide, 34" at center, and 36" at the posts. Quality portable nets cost $80-$200.

Mark the centerline

Run a line from the kitchen line to the baseline on each side, splitting the service area into right (even) and left (odd) courts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the official dimensions of a pickleball court?+

A regulation pickleball court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide (13.41m × 6.10m). This is the same size for both singles and doubles play. The court includes a 7-foot non-volley zone (kitchen) on each side of the net.

How high is a pickleball net?+

A pickleball net is 36 inches (91.4 cm) high at the sideline posts and 34 inches (86.4 cm) high at the center. The 2-inch dip in the center is intentional and part of regulation play.

How big is the kitchen in pickleball?+

The kitchen (Non-Volley Zone) is 7 feet deep and 20 feet wide on each side of the net (2.13m × 6.10m). That's 140 square feet per side. The kitchen line is considered part of the kitchen.

Can you fit a pickleball court on a tennis court?+

Yes. A standard tennis court can accommodate up to 4 pickleball courts with temporary lines and portable nets. A single pickleball court fits easily within a tennis court with room to spare — a tennis court is over 3× the area.

Is a pickleball court the same size as a badminton court?+

Nearly identical. A badminton doubles court is 44' × 20' — the exact same dimensions as a pickleball court. The main difference is net height: badminton nets are 5'1" vs. pickleball's 34"-36".

How much space do I need around the court?+

USA Pickleball recommends a minimum of 54' × 24' total space (5 feet behind each baseline, 2 feet on each side). For tournaments, 64' × 34' is preferred (10 feet behind baselines, 7 feet on each side).

How much does it cost to build a pickleball court?+

A basic outdoor concrete pickleball court costs $11,000-$22,000 to build. A premium court with acrylic surfacing, fencing, and lighting can run $25,000-$40,000. Converting a tennis court is often cheaper at $5,000-$15,000 per pickleball court.

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