Pickleball Court Dimensions – Know the Basics before Starting

Do you want to know the Pickleball Court dimensions?

The Pickleball court dimensions are…

• 44 feet long
• 20 feet wide
• The kitchen or non volley zone is 7 feet on either side of the net

This leaves 15 feet of playing and service area on each side that is divided into two sections – the left and right.

The net is 34 inches at the center and 36 inches at either post.

On the surface, tennis and pickleball appear similar but soon you realize that both sports are quite different. Not just in terms of the rules and regulations but also in terms of how the courts are arranged.

The Pickleball court dimensions are slightly different than what you’d expect in a tennis court.

In this article, we will give you a quick rundown of the pickleball court dimensions and what you can expect in terms of basic gear and equipment.

What are the Pickleball Court Dimensions?

The standard size of a pickleball court is 20 x 44 feet, which is identical to the size of a doubles badminton court. The court is divided into two equal halves, with a net height of 36 inches at the center.

The court lines are similar to a tennis court, but there are a few differences. The dimensions of the pickleball court are slightly smaller, and the service box and the non-volley zone (also called the kitchen) are unique to the game. The service box extends between the short service lines, and the non-volley zone is a 7-foot area on each side of the net. Players are not allowed to step inside the non-volley zone and hit the ball from there.

The service areas have two small lines that are parallel to the net and run perpendicular to the side lines. The first line is 15 feet from the net, and the second line is 2 feet behind the first line. The player must serve the ball behind the first line, and the ball must land in the opposite service box. The receiver must allow the ball to bounce before returning it.

Apart from the court dimensions, the surface of the court is also important. A smooth and non-slippery surface is ideal for playing pickleball. Asphalt, concrete, or wooden surfaces are suitable for outdoor play. For indoor play, a surface made of hardwood, synthetic, or cushioned materials is appropriate.

Allow space around the outside of the court

Another important consideration is allowing space around the outside of the court.

Pickleball can get competitive and you will often have to run to hit the ball.  This means that you will be running past the sidelines or baseline to complete your shot.

The space around the court is also important, as players require a running area to play shots. Therefore, the recommended size of the playing area is 30 x 60 feet, so it is advisable to allow at least 4 feet around all the court for freedom of movement and safety.

This is especially true when playing doubles as you tend to stay on the outer side of the court to allow space with your team member.

Whether you are playing professionally or have a portable court in your backyard, knowing the court dimensions goes a long way to working on your winning strategy!

Find out about Pickleball serving rules by clicking here

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