How Big is a Pickleball Court?

Last updated on February 4th, 2023 at 03:57 pm

The official pickleball rules state that a standard pickleball court play area is 20 feet by 44 feet or about 6.1 meters by 13 meters – this is the same for both singles and doubles. The court itself is 34 by 64 feet. Though 30 by 60 feet is acceptable if converting another court (specifically a tennis court) for use with pickleball.

So, what is the minimum size for a pickleball court and a court for wheelchair players? How big is a tennis court vs. a pickleball court? Can you use a tennis court for pickleball games? What is the best surface to play matches on in tournaments and with friends?

Here is the complete breakdown of the size of a pickleball court.

Table of Contents

What is the Minimum Size for a Pickleball Court?

The minimum pickleball court measurements require a play area of 20 feet by 44 feet.

However, while the regulation pickleball court dimensions are the minimum recommended for any official pickleball game, you can repurpose any court or area to fit your needs. Badminton courts work particularly well if you are looking for a similar substitute since the two sports are cousins.

How Similar is a Pickleball Court Size to a Badminton Court?

Pickleball is a close cousin of the badminton game, having begun on a badminton court. Because of this, the dimensions are the same at 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. Therefore, you can convert a badminton court to a pickleball court with ease. You just need to lower the net to the ground to play pickleball.

What is the Court Size for Wheelchair Pickleball?

The dimensions of a pickleball court in stadium play and courts allowing wheelchair play are generally much bigger than 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. The wheelchair court size regulations for pickleball are 44 feet wide and 74 feet long. The size of a stadium court accommodates wheelchair play and is also regulated at 50 feet wide by 80 feet long.

The non-volley zone measurements are 7 feet from the net, and the centerline is 10 feet from the side of the court, running down the center of the court, dividing the service areas, and stopping at the non-volley zone.

Finally, the out and in lines on the court are two inches thick. The last dimension of the pickleball court is the net. The net hangs down to 34 inches in the center (36 inches at the sides of the net), and the net posts are 22 feet apart from inside to inside.

Can You Use a Tennis Court for Pickleball?

Tennis courts are much larger than pickleball courts. A tennis court is 60 feet wide by 120 feet long, so about three times the length and width of a Pickleball court. However, the playable dimensions are 36 feet wide and 78 feet long for a doubles game.

If all you have at your disposal is a tennis court, you may wonder if you can use it to play pickleball, given the size difference. The short answer is yes, though you will have to make some modifications to turn your tennis court into a temporary court for pickleball. The most straightforward change is to lower the tennis net to thirty-four inches in the center – this is the official Pickleball net height.

Also, put down tape (if you can) on the tennis courts to create the in and out area. This taping may be optional for a casual game as long as you and your opponent agree on the spacing you will use. Remember that the non-volley zone (also known as your kitchen) is seven feet from the net (or just a foot or two over the height of a person) and that the baseline is 15 feet back from the non-volley zone (just over double the length of your kitchen).

What is the Best Surface to Play on for a Pickleball Court?

The game of pickleball can take place on a driveway, on a basketball court, on a volleyball court, or just about anywhere you find space and can set up a portable net. Nonetheless, it is best to use a harder playing surface material when playing pickleball. For instance, an asphalt or concrete surface will be your best choice. Since pickleball had its origins on the badminton court, finding a court similarly surfaced that is most preferred.

The most common base for pickleball court construction is concrete because of its durability. If you are building a DIY permanent pickleball court from scratch, a concrete floor with rubber polyurethane or acrylic surfacing is your best choice.

Conclusion: How Big is a Pickleball Court?

In summary, an official pickleball court size is 20 feet by 44 feet. After securing a court, all you need is a portable net, paddles, and a ball to play! However, with the growth of the game, your town might not have an official court. If you don’t have a dedicated pickleball court in your area, you can create a makeshift one. All you need is some tape to draw out the lines and a net.

If you want to construct an outdoor pickleball court, remember that you can use just about any hard material for your court surface. However, concrete with rubber polyurethane or acrylic surfacing is ideal. The play area is 20 feet by 44 feet, the non-volley zone is 7 feet from the net, and the centerline runs from the baseline to the non-volley line. The lines are 2 inches thick, and the net hangs down to 34 inches in the center (36 inches at the net posts, which are 22 feet apart).

Finally, wheelchair players can also partake in this popular game with friends and family. A pickleball wheelchair court is much bigger than a traditional one to give players more space to move around. The size dimensions for wheelchair pickleball are 44 feet wide and 74 feet long.