Quick answer: A pickleball court measures 20ft x 44ft (6.10m x 13.41m) for both singles and doubles – the same footprint as a badminton doubles court. The net is 36in (91.4cm) high at the posts and 34in (86.4cm) in the middle, and the non-volley zone (the "kitchen") runs 7ft (2.13m) back from the net on each side. Allow a total area of about 30ft x 60ft (9.1m x 18.3m) so players have room to run.
Whether you are marking out a sports hall, converting a tennis court at your club or wondering if the driveway will do, these are the numbers that matter – in feet and metres, because British halls are measured in one and the rulebook is written in the other.
Pickleball court dimensions at a glance
| Measurement | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Court (singles and doubles) | 20ft x 44ft | 6.10m x 13.41m |
| Non-volley zone (kitchen) depth | 7ft each side | 2.13m each side |
| Service court (each) | 10ft wide x 15ft deep | 3.05m x 4.57m |
| Net height at sidelines | 36in | 91.4cm |
| Net height at centre | 34in | 86.4cm |
| Line width | 2in | 5cm |
| Minimum total playing area | 30ft x 60ft | 9.14m x 18.29m |
| Preferred playing area (tournaments) | 34ft x 64ft | 10.36m x 19.51m |
Unlike tennis, there are no tramlines: singles and doubles use exactly the same court. That makes pickleball one of the simplest racket-sport courts to mark out.
The lines and zones, explained
Baselines and sidelines
The two 20ft lines at each end are the baselines; the 44ft lines down each side are the sidelines. All lines are 2in wide and count as in – except the kitchen line on a serve, which is covered below.
The kitchen (non-volley zone)
The 7ft strip either side of the net is the area tennis players get caught out by. You cannot volley while standing in it or touching its line. The kitchen line belongs to the kitchen, so a serve that lands on it is out. Our pickleball rules guide for tennis players covers how the kitchen changes the way you play at the net.
Service courts and centreline
Behind each kitchen, a centreline splits the remaining 15ft into left and right service courts, each 10ft wide. Serves go diagonally and must clear the kitchen.
Net height and posts
The net hangs at 36in at the sidelines and dips to 34in at the centre – two inches lower in the middle. Posts sit 12in (30cm) outside each sideline, so a regulation net is at least 21ft 9in (6.63m) wide. Check the centre height with a tape measure before every session; portable nets sag as the cord stretches, and an inch makes a real difference to dinks.
Coming from tennis? A tennis net is 36in at the centre and 42in at the posts – close enough that some clubs play pickleball over it as a trial, but it is too high at the sides and too wide for proper courts.
Pickleball vs badminton, tennis and padel courts
| Court | Size | Net height (centre) |
|---|---|---|
| Pickleball | 6.10m x 13.41m (≈82m²) | 86.4cm |
| Badminton (doubles) | 6.10m x 13.40m | 152.4cm |
| Padel | 10m x 20m (200m²) | 88cm |
| Tennis (doubles) | 10.97m x 23.77m | 91.4cm |
Badminton: the outer boundary is effectively identical, which is why so many UK leisure centres run pickleball on badminton courts. The inner lines are different, though – badminton's short service line is 1.98m from the net against pickleball's 2.13m kitchen – so you will need temporary tape for the kitchen and centrelines, and a lower portable net.
Padel: a padel court is roughly two and a half times the area of a pickleball court, and it is enclosed by walls. They are not interchangeable.
Tennis: one tennis court with its run-offs holds up to four pickleball courts. We have written a full guide to fitting four pickleball courts on one tennis court for clubs planning sessions.
How to mark out a court (and check it is square)
- Mark one baseline 6.10m long.
- Run both sidelines 13.41m from each end of it, at right angles.
- Check the diagonals. Corner to opposite corner should measure 14.73m (48ft 4in) both ways. If the two diagonals match, the court is square. This is the step most guides skip, and it is the one that stops a lopsided court.
- Mark the net line at 6.71m from each baseline, then the kitchen lines 2.13m either side of it.
- Add the centrelines from each kitchen line to the baseline, splitting the service courts.
Use 5cm (2in) court tape indoors or chalk/temporary line paint outdoors. Avoid duct tape on sports-hall floors – it lifts the lacquer.
Can you build one at home?
The full playing area of 9.1m x 18.3m is bigger than most UK driveways and gardens. If space is tight, you have three options: a shortened practice court for drills and dinking, "skinny" singles using one half of the court (10ft x 44ft, 3.05m x 13.41m) so two players can rally on half the width, or simply a portable net on a quiet stretch of tarmac for kitchen practice. Outdoors, use outdoor balls – the harder, smaller-holed ball copes with rougher surfaces.
Our picks at Central Tennis
Court sorted? Here is the kit to go with it, all in stock now.
- AIXO CP03 Ghost Dogtown T700 Carbon Paddle – £40: a 16mm, control-first paddle that suits club taster sessions and new players learning the kitchen game.
- Wilson Cadence SF Pro 16 2026 Paddle – £97.08: a step up for players who are hooked and want more spin and stability.
- Head Champ Outdoor Pickleball Balls 3pk – £6.50: for tarmac and converted tennis courts.
- Li-Ning PZ26 Indoor Pickleball Balls 3pk – £6.00: softer, larger-holed balls for sports halls and badminton courts.
- Wilson Pickle Pro Shoe Men – £62.99: a court shoe built for the side-to-side movement pickleball demands (limited sizes).
See the full range in our pickleball collection. Kitting out a club or school? Talk to our team about bulk paddles and balls.
FAQ
What are the dimensions of a standard pickleball court in the UK?
20ft x 44ft (6.10m x 13.41m), the same as everywhere else. UK venues follow the same rules as the international game, with a 7ft (2.13m) kitchen and a net 34in (86.4cm) high at the centre.
Is a padel court bigger than a pickleball court?
Yes. A padel court is 10m x 20m (200m²), about two and a half times the 82m² of a pickleball court, and it is surrounded by walls.
Is a pickleball court the same size as a badminton court?
The outer boundary is the same (about 6.1m x 13.4m), but the internal lines differ and the badminton net is far higher. You need tape for the kitchen and a lower net.
What size is a skinny pickleball court?
Skinny singles uses half the width of a full court: 10ft x 44ft (3.05m x 13.41m), split along the centreline. It is a popular drill format and a good option where space is limited.
Can I turn my driveway into a pickleball court?
Only if you have roughly 9m x 18m of flat, hard surface for a full court. Most UK driveways are too small, but they work well for kitchen and dinking practice with a portable net.
The bottom line
Remember three numbers and you can set up pickleball almost anywhere: 20ft x 44ft for the court, 7ft for the kitchen and 34in at the centre of the net. Check your diagonals, use the right ball for the surface and you are ready to play. When you need paddles, balls or shoes, browse our pickleball range or call into the shop for advice.
