Pickleball Court Dimensions and How to Set One Up
The size of a court, the net height, the lines and the surface, plus budget ideas for setting one up.
Short answer: 20 by 44 feet, a net 36 inches high at the posts, and a 7-foot kitchen on each side. Here is the rest of the layout.
Playing area
The court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, whether you play singles or doubles. Leave room around it. A total space of about 30 by 60 feet keeps players clear of fences and walls.
Net
The net is 36 inches at the posts and 34 inches at the center. Cheap portable nets often sag in the middle, so measure at both points with a tape.
Lines and the kitchen
Court lines normally measure 2 inches across. The non-volley zone, called the kitchen, reaches 7 feet from the net on both sides. The service areas sit behind it, divided by a center line.
Surface
The best surface is hard, flat and smooth: concrete or asphalt outdoors, a gym floor indoors. Avoid slick or uneven ground, and look for cracks that could catch a shoe.
Budget ideas
- Try a portable net first, to learn whether the space works before you commit to posts
- Mark the lines with temporary tape or removable kits, and paint once you are sure
- Ask your local parks department about existing courts and loaner nets
- Measure any new net before the first game
New to the sport? Start with our rules primer and the starter kit checklist. If you will play in more than one place, see indoor vs outdoor balls.