Pickleball is a fun and exciting sport. It is fairly unique so information surrounding the rules and regulations of the game are not as widely known. This article is here to change that!
Are you wondering what the size of a pickleball court is? Perhaps you’re wondering if it’s the same size as a badminton court or if you have enough space to play a game in your yard.
Read on for more information on the size of a pickleball court and the layout of the court!
How Big Is A Pickleball Court?
A pickleball court should be 20 feet in width and 44 feet in length. The court is the same size for both singles and doubles games.
The court is then cut in half by a net that is around 36 inches in height. This is the height of the net at the posts. It is slightly lower than this in the middle of the net.
In terms of meters, the playing lines of the pickleball court are 6.1 meters by 13.4 meters.
The size of the court is the same whether you are playing a singles or a doubles game.
Can You Play On A Smaller Pickleball Court?
You can play on a smaller pickleball court if you don’t have the space for the full sized court. The recommended minimum playing area is around 30 feet wide and 60 feet in length.
The preferred size, however, is 34 feet by 64 feet. This is because this allows you plenty of room to move around in the court.
If you are just playing casually you can always adjust the size of the court depending on the space that you have available. Make sure you use all the space you can though because the bigger the court, the more exciting the game.
How Is A Pickleball Court Laid Out?
The size of the court is very important in pickleball. The layout of the court is also important. Below are the areas on the court.
Baseline
One important thing to know about a pickleball court is what a baseline is. The baseline refers to the line that is at the back of the court. You are not able to cross this line when you serve or this will count as a fault.
Sideline
The sidelines of the court refer to the lines that are at each side of the court.
Non-Volley Zone
On a pickleball court, there is a section of the court near to the net that is known as the non-volley zone. This is quite an integral part of the rules of the game. The main rule surrounding this area of the court is that you cannot be in this area of the court and volley the ball at the same time.
The non-volley zone is also referred to as the ‘Kitchen’. This is what you will hear people refer to as the non-volley zone as in most cases.
No Man’s Land
This is the part of the pickleball court where no one ever really stands. This is the area where the ball will usually land for the bounce so unless you want to be hit by a ball it is best to avoid this area.
How High Is A Pickleball Net?
A pickleball net should be 36 inches tall at the side posts and 34 inches tall in the center of the court. This is the height of the net as set out by the International Federation for Pickleball.
If you want to ensure that your pickleball court adheres to all of these rules then you will need to ensure that you have the net at the correct height.
What Is The Height Of A Tennis Net?
Pickleball nets are very similar to tennis court nets, but they are not the same height. In some cases, though, people do start out their pickleball journey on a tennis court. If this is the case then they will be playing on a net that is a slightly different height to a pickleball net height.
A pickleball net is not as high as a tennis net as the tennis net will be about 42 inches in height. There is only a 2 inch difference at the center of the net but at the sides the difference is quite large.
How Do You Set Up A Pickleball Net?
It is easy to set up a pickleball net if you are looking to set up a court at home. You can also adjust the tennis court net in order to make it the correct height for pickleball.
If you purchase a net then it will be fairly easy to assemble. Simply follow the instructions and you will have the net up in no time. If you do this a few times I’m sure you won’t even need the instructions before long!
If you want to play on a tennis court then you can always opt for lowering the net on the tennis court slightly. This is fairly easy to do and is very self-explanatory.
Important Pickleball Terms
There are lots of very important terms that you should be aware of if you’re hoping to play a game of pickleball. These include:
An ace. This is when you serve and the opponent does not return the ball
A drink. This is a shot that is soft. It just goes over the net and drops in the kitchen
The kitchen. This is an area on the court that is exactly 7 foot from each side line and from the net
A volley. This is when you hit the ball before it bounces off the floor
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are The Dimensions Of A Standard Pickleball Court?
The standard pickleball court is 34 feet by 64 feet. This is the usual size of a court. If you don’t have enough space for this sized court then you can always play on a smaller court. The lowest recommended size is 30 inches by 60 inches.
Can You Play Pickleball On Carpet?
It is recommended that you play pickleball on gym floors if you are playing inside. Carpet is not really recommended, although it is possible to play the game on carpet if you have no other option.
If you are outdoors, then pickleball games are usually played on concrete or asphalt. It is not recommended to play pickleball on carpet because it is difficult to make a ball bounce on that material.
Are Badminton Courts The Same Size As Pickleball Courts?
Pickleball courts are the same size as a badminton court but the layout of the court itself is not the same. The net will be at a different height on each of these courts.
Final Thoughts
This article has explored the size of a full-sized pickleball court. You should also have gathered plenty of information surrounding the layout of the court and the similarities to other courts for other sports games.
Pickleball has been played for decades, and it is a great way to let off some steam, engage in friendly competition, and improve your fitness levels.
Hi, my name is Joe Polls and my family and I are keen pickleball players. My parents actually met on a pickleball court, and the rest is history.
I have always loved pickleball, no matter how many times I hear that it’s not a real sport. It has helped me get through some challenging times in my life - whether that be a breakup, finals, or even bereavement. The reason I made my website is so that I can teach more people about the wonders of pickleball, and maybe even get them interested in playing.
Pickleball could always use more players, so what are you waiting for?
Please, enjoy my website and I hope it teaches you something of use. Who knows, maybe I’ll catch you out on the court one day!
