Whether you’re planning to make your own outdoor court or want to establish a temporary playing surface for your friends, you must know the court dimensions.

You need to know how much space to clear and where to draw those critical pickleball court lines. Moreover, you must check that you have a solid, safe court surface.

Of course, you can always find an existing court near you, but this guide will help you scratch that pickleball itch when you’re away from the court.

So, keep reading to learn how to convert a drab, boring cul-de-sac into a neighborhood pickleball hangout!

How Big Is a Pickleball Court?

A game-ready pickleball court is at least 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. For our metric friends, that’s 13.4112×6.069 meters. These court dimensions do not include any additional space, so you’ll be pretty cramped if you’re sticking to those numbers.

In fact, an official pickleball court size will include around 10 feet (3.048 meters) of additional out-of-bounds buffer space on all sides. As such, most tournament-level pickleball courts will be 64×40 feet in total (19.51×12.192 meters). The additional space gives players plenty of room to move and includes out-of-bounds areas.

A wheelchair-accessible pickleball court also has different dimensions. The recommended total size of such a court is 77×44 feet (22.5552×13.4112 meters). Again, this includes all allotted out-of-bounds areas.

Tournament court dimensions are even higher! The total size of a tournament court is 80×50 feet (24.384×15.24 meters).

Comparing Pickleball Courts to Tennis Courts (and More)

So, how does that measure up to other sports?

You’re generally able to squeeze four pickleball courts into one tennis court.

However, a pickleball court is about the same size as a doubles badminton court. It’s also a few feet smaller than a standard volleyball court.

Its compact size is one of its endearing qualities. Many cities have begun repurposing old, underutilized tennis court areas into vibrant pickleball courts!

The Layout of a Pickleball Court (Is a Little Like a Tennis Court)

Knowing the total size is nice, but how can we break it down?

If you’re planning on building your own pickleball court, you need to know the specifics.

Let’s start with a quick review of a court’s layout.

All pickleball courts are divided into six sections. This is done with four straight lines (or if you include the boundary lines, eight). There are four service courts and two non-volley zones — also known as “kitchens.”

The Service Areas

Alternative names for this section of the pickleball court include “service boxes” and “service courts.” No matter what you call them, they’ll always be the same size.

A single service area is 15 feet deep and 10 feet wide (3.048×4.572 meters). There are two service areas on each side of the court. Together, a single side’s service court dimensions span the entire 20-foot width of the playing surface.

The Non-Volley Zone

Players may also call these two areas the “kitchens” of a court.

A single non-volley zone measures 20 feet wide and 7 feet deep (6.069×2.1336 meters). It is positioned near the center of the court, and each side will have one kitchen. Note that its depth is measured as feet from the net. In other words: A single kitchen line should be 4 feet from the next.

Both kitchens together will be 14 feet (4.2672 meters) deep, including the pickleball net at the center.

The Net

A portable net is a great way to play pickleball anywhere, and a well-made net will enable easy adjustment without much finicking. You can also choose to use a permanent net.

Per USA pickleball regulations, the pickleball net should be 21’9“ wide (6.6294 meters). The net height naturally changes based on its slack, so there’s more wiggle room in that category. It should be 36 inches high at each side of the court and 34 inches tall at its center. A 2-inch (5.08 centimeters) strip of tape is recommended along its upper edge to prevent wear and tear.

Finding the Perfect Pickleball Court

If you’re looking for an easy, sweat-free way to get the perfect pickleball court dimensions, you’ll probably find them at your local park. Most recreation centers will also have a few indoor pickleball courts. These public courts are great ways to get started, and you’ll never need to break out a measuring tape before playing.

Moreover, most publicly maintained courts — such as those at parks and community centers — abide by USA Pickleball regulations. That means you’ll have a go-to place to practice if you’re shooting for a coveted spot in the PPA Tour. You’ll also have plenty of consistency between games, as the permanent nets used at these courts eliminate the need to make constant adjustments.

Making Your Own Pickleball Court

But what if you want a pickleball paradise in your backyard? What if you want to host a game in your cul-de-sac?

Don’t worry!

There are ways to make your own court. However, you’ll need to break out that measuring tape to guarantee appropriate pickleball court dimensions. You must also consider the amount of space you have available, as using the bare minimum size leaves little room for error. You’ll probably want at least two sidelines and 34 inches (86.36 centimeters) of leeway at either end of the court.

If you’re setting up for playing indoors, you must test the playing surface. Avoid anything that’s overly slippery or too soft. (No, you can’t make a pickleball court in your carpeted basement.)

Consider, too, the visibility of the playing field. Double-check that any shadows cast on the court do not obscure the lines.

What You Need to Make a Pickleball Court

A standard pickleball court requires at least 64×40 feet (19.51×12.192 meters) of flat, solid ground. That means you can easily use any hard, even surface.

Temporary pickleball courts are often set up in cul-de-sacs, driveways, parking lots, or even atop old badminton courts! If you happen to have a large, empty room or space — such as an unoccupied basketball court — you can also create an indoor pickleball court.

Of course, you’ll want to obtain permission before setting yourself up in a public space. Don’t assume that you have the right to redesign an entire cul-de-sac or tennis court to scratch your personal pickleball itch! Be considerate and share your space.

However, feel free to draw up your own court in your backyard or personal driveway. And if your driveway is too small for the full court dimensions, you can scale it down to fit a casual game.

Once you’ve obtained permission, you’ll need to gather the following supplies:

• Line marking supplies (more on that in a second)
• Measuring tape (use a 50-foot (15.24 meters) tape)
• A pickleball net (probably one of many USA Pickleball certified portable options)

What Surfaces Can Be Used for Playing Pickleball?

Wait!

Don’t lay out those pickleball lines yet. Before you take any pickleball court measurements, make sure you have a valid playing surface. Unlike its close relatives, tennis and badminton, pickleball requires a hard, solid surface. In other words: You can’t play pickleball on artificial turf, carpet, grass, or sand.

If you’re establishing an outdoor pickleball court, you have a few options:

• Any dedicated pickleball court surface (typically provided by contractors)
• Asphalt and concrete (including cul-de-sacs, driveways, and sidewalks)
• Hard, compact clay (such as the surfacing on some tennis courts)
• Existing courts (like old badminton or tennis courts)
• Smooth stone — but avoid anything with many cracks and gaps, like cobblestone

Can’t find a place for an outdoor pickleball court?

You may be able to find a playing area indoors. Again, ask the owner of the property for permission before you start laying out your temporary lines. Once you’ve obtained that permission, you can establish an indoor pickleball court on surfaces such as…

• Cement. Be careful with this option, as highly polished cement can be slippery!
• Hardwood, including old basketball courts. If it’s been polished recently, you’ll want to see how slippery it is.
• Tile. Some custom-built tile courts have pre-laid lines.
• Vinyl and similar synthetic flooring options.

Laying Out the Court Lines

Finally, your new pickleball court needs some lines.

I’ve divided this section into two parts for simplicity.

Options for Indoor Courts

You have a few ways to mark up an indoor pickleball court. Assuming that your playing area is a public space, you should always use temporary solutions. However, if you have the means for a private indoor court, you’ll want to consult a contractor to discuss more permanent solutions.

The most popular indoor solutions for pickleball court lines include…

• Dedicated vinyl markings. Wilson and Gamma are the major manufacturers of this pick.
• “Frog” tape and other brands of painter’s tape. Double-check that these tapes leave the floor pristine before you start playing pickleball!
• Masking tape of any brand or color. Orange is a common choice, as it has high contrast against most surfaces.

Options for an Outdoor Pickleball Court

If you’re going to set up an outdoor court, you’ll need something durable and visible. Tape can be used on flat surfaces, such as those found on old tennis courts, but you’ll probably need something like…

• Contractor’s chalk and applicator. A chalk line and spray applicator both serve the same purpose. These lines require chalk dust, which can be purchased from most major home improvement stores. Most contractor chalk is blue.
• Sidewalk chalk. This comes in various sizes, allowing for varied line thickness. It will not withstand anything more than moderate rainfall.
• Toddler chalk crayons. Like sidewalk chalk, this pick is ideal for various surfaces. However, its larger size makes it easier to draw highly visible lines.

Get Playing!

Now you’re ready to play pickleball!

Measuring and marking your pickleball court dimensions may be the hardest part of the game. It’s a time-consuming process, but the results are worth the effort. With the right tools and a few friends, any under-used tennis court can become a fun and vibrant pickleball court!

And if you want even more tips and tricks, be sure to drop by and browse the rest of the Pickle Goddesses blog.