Pickleball Court Dimensions: Size and Markings Explained

Why has pickleball become so popular? And how big is a pickleball court?

Besides being fun and competitive, pickleball is an enjoyable way to keep in touch with friends and family, as well as make new relationships. It helps keep you mentally sharp because the game requires you to pay attention and think and react quickly. Many pickleball games last for about 90 minutes, so it provides an impressive workout that can boost your cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Pickleball was invented on a summer afternoon in 1965 when some families were sitting around with nothing to do. There was an old badminton court on the property and they rustled up some ping-pong paddles and a perforated ball. They started playing and soon created a few rules with the purpose of providing a game that the whole family can play together.

There’s another, more practical, reason for pickleball’s popularity. Not everyone has room in their backyard for a full-sized tennis court. But at roughly one-quarter the size of a tennis court, many homes can install a pickleball court and still have plenty of room left over for the garden.

It’s important to develop your pickleball game on a standard-sized court, so you—and your builder—need to understand the correct pickleball court dimensions.

Standard Pickleball Court Dimensions

The court dimensions for pickleball are similar to those of a badminton court, but with a few important differences.

Overall Court Size

What is the pickleball court size? Overall, the standard pickle court dimensions are 20 feet wide by 44 feet long (the same size as a badminton court). The court layout consists of the following:

• Baselines: These sit parallel to the net at the end of the court.
• Sidelines: These run the entire length of the court.
• Non-volley zone (NVZ): This is the area on either side of the net (also known as the Kitchen).
• Centerline: This divides the court by extending down the centre from the baselines to the NVZ.
• Service area: This is the area beyond the NVZ on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline.

These pickle ball court dimensions and layouts allow you full enjoyment and exercise while complying with the official rules.

Net Height and Placement

When pickleball was first developed on a badminton court, the net height was set at the badminton height of 60 inches. As the game was further developed, the net was lowered to 36 inches. Today, the standard net height is 34 inches at the centre and 36 inches at the sidelines.

The net posts should be 22 feet apart and be no more than 3 inches in diameter. The net itself should be at least 21 feet 9 inches long and no less than 30 inches deep (from top to bottom). The net can be made from any mesh material, so long as it doesn’t allow a ball to pass through it.

Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)

The “kitchen” or non-volley zone (NVZ) is the area where players are not allowed to volley while standing in it. A volley occurs when you hit the ball without letting it bounce first. This Non-volley zone ensures that a player can’t simply stand at the net and smash every hit. The dimensions of the kitchen are 7 feet from the net on both sides, and this zone has no centerline. The kitchen rule specifies that you can’t touch the kitchen zone or kitchen line while volleying a ball. No one is exactly sure where the name “kitchen” comes from, but some speculate that the term originated from shuffleboard.

Court Markings and Layout

The smaller court size for pickleball (as opposed to tennis) greatly influences your game strategy. It requires a greater concentration on accuracy and placement rather than power. A well-placed shot and an understanding of when to hit the ball hard or softly can make all the difference to your scoring. So, what are the dimensions of a pickleball court  and its various zones?

Baselines and Sidelines

The lines on the court are 2 inches wide and define the edges of the court. All measurements should be made to the outside of these lines.

• Baseline: Each baseline is 20 feet long and placed parallel to the net at a distance of 22 feet from it (and 15 feet from the non-volley line). When the ball contacts any part of the baseline, it is considered “in”.
• Sideline: The sidelines are the boundaries on the sides of the court and are 20 feet apart (or 10 feet from the centerline). Each sideline is 44 feet long. When the ball contacts any part of the sideline, it is considered “in”.

Service Courts

In pickleball, there is a left service area and a right service area. They are placed on either side of the centerline, behind the non-volley zone. Both service areas are 10 feet wide and 15 feet deep. When serving, you must stand behind the baseline. You make your serve diagonally crosscourt, and the ball must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court. When the ball contacts any part of a line, it is considered “in”. Only one serve attempt is allowed per server.

Additional Markings

There are no additional markings on a pickleball court. It is worth noting that there is no centerline in the non-volley zone (kitchen). To summarise the markings on a pickleball court:

• Parallel to the net: Two non-volley lines, which are both 7 feet from either side of the net and 20 feet in length. Two baselines, which are both 22 feet from either side of the net and 20 feet in length.
• At right angles to the net: Two sidelines, each 44 feet long and placed 20 feet apart. There is a centerline on each side of the net, running from the non-volley line to the baseline. Neither centerline extends into the non-volley zone.
• All lines on a pickleball court are 2 inches wide. The overall court measurements of 44 feet by 20 feet are made to the outside of these lines.

Setting Up a Pickleball Court

Pickleball can be played almost anywhere. You just need the right space and a bit of know-how! You can bring in professionals or make it a DIY project.

Indoor vs Outdoor Courts

This could depend on the spaces that might be available to you. A pickleball court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide. Plus, you need enough space beyond the sidelines and baseline to safely chase down balls and play your shot (an overall playing area of 60 feet by 30 feet is recommended). If you have a large enough indoor space available to you, such as inside a recreation centre, it has the advantage of being out of the wind and rain, and you can play day or night. Many prefer playing out in the sunshine and fresh air on an outdoor court. When constructing an outdoor court, you might need to install outdoor lighting for night play, as well as adequate fencing.

Surface Material and Maintenance

As the world’s fastest-growing game, pickleball is played on many different surface materials. Concrete and asphalt surfaces are low maintenance but tend to put more strain on the joints than other surfaces and can cause injuries when a player falls. Sports tiles are a player-friendly surface that is designed to reduce the stress on your body through their shock-absorbing pads and design. If you have an existing concrete or asphalt surface, you can apply professional Acrylic surfacing to provide more protection.

DIY Court Setup Tips

Whether you’re setting up a court at home or in a community space, your pickleball court dimensions must be precise. The overall court measurements are 44 feet long by 20 feet wide (measured to the outside of the lines, which are 2 inches wide). First, you could mark the lines with chalk or masking tape and start playing, progressing to painted lines when circumstances allow. If you are setting up a dedicated pickleball court in your yard, you could begin by laying concrete or asphalt for the court surface, making the overall playing area measure 60 feet by 30 feet (with the court itself measuring 44 x 20 feet). Later you can always install a more player-friendly surface on top of the concrete/asphalt, such as textured acrylic or modular tiles.

Importance of Correct Court Dimensions

If you’re just having a bit of fun, why is it so important to use the correct court dimensions for pickleball?

Fair Play and Safety

Almost all players learn to play on courts with the correct pickleball court dimensions. No matter where they play, they craft their playing style and develop strategies on standard courts. Imagine being invited over to play on someone’s backyard home court, which hadn’t been laid out properly. The sidelines aren’t parallel, and the baseline at one end is 3 feet shorter than it should be. Not only does it throw you off your game and put you at risk of injury, but your host, being familiar with the oddities of this court, takes full advantage and trounces you! This is not fair play. Would you go back? Similarly, if you install a non-standard court in your yard, eventually no one might want to come over and play with you.

Enhancing Game Experience

Playing on a regulation-size pickleball court enhances your playing strategies, shot selection and movement as a player. It makes your play more consistent across different courts, promotes a level playing field, and enables you to adapt easily to other environments. In short, the more familiar and comfortable you are—due to standardised court dimensions for pickleball—the more fun you will have!

Learn the Essential Pickleball Court Dimensions and more from Dream Courts

Pickleball is rapidly expanding around the world due to its friendly atmosphere, enjoyment and health benefits. As explained in this article, you can develop a game that will stand up on any court when you adhere to the correct pickleball court dimensions. To build your backyard pickleball court, contact us or start designing your own court now on our interactive page.