Pickleball Court Dimensions Explained — Size, Net Height and Layout in Metres
One of the first things new players want to know is how big a pickleball court actually is. Whether you're trying to visualise the game, set one up yourself, or understand why the sport feels so different from tennis — the dimensions explain a lot.
Here are the official measurements, in both metres and feet, as confirmed by Pickleball England and the LTA. UK court dimensions follow the international standard — Pickleball England aligns with the global rulebook, so the measurements are identical worldwide.
The Court Size
A standard pickleball court measures:
6.1 metres wide × 13.4 metres long (20 feet wide × 44 feet long)
This is the same size for both singles and doubles — unlike tennis, where doubles uses wider alleys that singles doesn't. In pickleball the court is always 6.1m × 13.4m regardless of how many players are on each side.
The total playing area including recommended run-off space around the court is: 9.1 metres wide × 18.3 metres long (30 feet wide × 60 feet long minimum)
This is the minimum recommended by Pickleball England and the LTA for safe play. That buffer zone gives players room to chase balls beyond the baseline and sidelines without running into fencing or walls.
The Kitchen — Non-Volley Zone
The kitchen is the defining feature of a pickleball court. It extends 2.13 metres (7 feet) from the net on both sides, running the full width of the court.
You cannot volley — hit the ball before it bounces — while standing inside the kitchen or on the kitchen line. This rule shapes almost everything about how pickleball is played tactically, forcing players to let the ball bounce before attacking from close to the net.
Net Height
The net runs across the full 6.1 metre width of the court.
- At the centre: 86.4cm (34 inches)
- At the posts/sidelines: 91.4cm (36 inches)
The net sags slightly in the middle by design — 5cm lower at the centre than at the posts. This is intentional and affects shot strategy, particularly for serves and cross-court drives.
Service Boxes
Each side of the net is divided into two service boxes by a centre line running perpendicular to the net.
Each service box measures:
- 3.05 metres wide × 4.57 metres long (10 feet wide × 15 feet long)
Serves must land diagonally in the opposite service box. The server stands behind the baseline and to the right when their score is even, to the left when their score is odd.
How It Compares to Other Courts
vs Badminton: A pickleball court is identical in size to a doubles badminton court — 6.1m × 13.4m. This is no coincidence. Pickleball was invented in 1965 on a badminton court using improvised equipment. The dimensions were inherited directly from badminton.
vs Tennis: A doubles tennis court measures 10.97m wide × 23.77m long — significantly larger than a pickleball court. You can fit four pickleball courts inside a single tennis court, which is why tennis facilities across the UK are increasingly converting or sharing courts for pickleball sessions.
vs Squash: A squash court is a single-walled enclosed space measuring 6.4m × 9.75m — smaller than a pickleball court and a completely different format.
Setting Up a Court
If you want to mark out a pickleball court temporarily — on a tennis court, car park, or any flat hard surface — here's what you need:
- Total space required: minimum 9.1m × 18.3m
- Court lines: 6.1m wide, 13.4m long
- Kitchen line: 2.13m from the net on each side
- Centre line: runs from kitchen line to baseline, dividing each side into two service boxes
- Net height: 86.4cm at centre, 91.4cm at posts
Temporary court tape or chalk works well for marking lines. Use a contrasting colour to the surface — orange or blue tape on a green court is easy to follow.
Nottinghamshire Venues
Most pickleball venues in Nottinghamshire use shared sports hall space — badminton courts converted for pickleball with temporary or permanent lines. Since pickleball courts are identical in size to badminton courts, the conversion is straightforward.
Let's Dink Pickleball Centre in Caunton has dedicated outdoor courts built specifically for pickleball — the only venue in Nottinghamshire with courts purpose-built for the sport.
For a full list of venues running regular sessions, visit our Where to Play page.
Want to know how pickleball courts compare to tennis courts in more detail? Read our guide: Can You Play Pickleball on a Tennis Court?
New to pickleball? Our Beginners Guide covers everything you need before your first session.
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