The 30-second version
- A pickleball court is 20 ft wide by 44 ft long — the same for singles and doubles.
- The net is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center.
- The kitchen (non-volley zone) extends 7 ft from the net on each side.
- With buffer space around the court, you need a total area of about 30 × 60 ft.
Whether you’re painting a court, buying a net, or just settling an argument, here are the exact pickleball court dimensions — every line, in plain numbers.
The overall court size
A regulation pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, measured to the outside of the lines (which are 2 inches wide). Crucially, this is the same size for singles and doubles — unlike tennis, the court doesn’t change. That 20 × 44 area is exactly the size of a doubles badminton court.
The net height
The net is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high at the center. That slight dip in the middle is intentional and standard.
The kitchen (non-volley zone)
The non-volley zone — the “kitchen” — extends 7 feet from the net on each side, spanning the full 20-foot width. You can’t volley (hit the ball out of the air) while standing in it. It’s the most important zone on the court. (See our kitchen rules guide.)
The service areas
Behind each kitchen, the remaining court on each side is split by a centerline into two service courts, each running from the kitchen line back to the baseline. Each service area is 10 ft wide by 15 ft long. Serves must land diagonally in the opposite service court, past the kitchen line.
How much total space do you need?
The 20 × 44 court is just the playing surface. For safe play you want buffer space around it — at least 5 ft on the sides and 8 ft behind the baselines — for a total recommended footprint of about 30 × 60 ft. Tournament setups use even more (34 × 64 ft). If you’re building one, our how to build a court guide covers surfaces and cost.
How it compares
A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and about a quarter the size of a tennis court. That’s why you can often fit up to four pickleball courts in the space of a single tennis court.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a pickleball court?
A regulation pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long — the same size for both singles and doubles, and the same as a doubles badminton court. It’s about a quarter the size of a tennis court.
How big is the kitchen in pickleball?
The kitchen, or non-volley zone, extends 7 feet from the net on each side and spans the full 20-foot width of the court. You can’t volley the ball while standing in it.
How high is a pickleball net?
A pickleball net is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high at the center. The slight dip in the middle is standard and intentional.
Is a pickleball court the same size for singles and doubles?
Yes. Unlike tennis, a pickleball court is the same 20 × 44 ft for both singles and doubles play — only the strategy changes, not the court.
How much total space do you need for a pickleball court?
The playing area is 20 × 44 ft, but with recommended buffer space you need a total footprint of about 30 × 60 ft for recreational play, and 34 × 64 ft for tournament-quality clearance.
Want to play or build?
Find a court near you in our New England court directory, learn the game in our beginner’s guide, or plan your own with the how to build a court guide.