Court guide
Pickleball Court Dimensions
A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, about a quarter the size of a tennis court. Understanding the court layout, kitchen dimensions, and net heights helps you visualize shot placement and understand why certain rules exist.
44 ft
Court length
20 ft
Court width
7 ft
Kitchen depth
34–36 in
Net height
Complete court dimensions
| Measurement | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court length | 44 ft | End baseline to end baseline |
| Court width | 20 ft | Sideline to sideline |
| Kitchen depth | 7 ft | Net to NVZ line, each side |
| Service box length | 15 ft | Kitchen line to baseline |
| Service box width | 10 ft | Half the court width |
| Net height (center) | 34 in | 2 feet 10 inches at the sag point |
| Net height (sideline) | 36 in | 3 feet at each post |
| Recommended safety zone | 10 ft | Out-of-bounds space, all sides |
Court lines explained
What each line means and when it matters during play.
Baseline
The back boundary of the court on each side. Server stands behind the baseline to serve. A ball landing on or touching the baseline is in.
Sideline
The side boundary running the full length of the court. Balls landing on or touching the sideline are in. The sideline defines the full court width of 20 feet.
Kitchen line (NVZ line)
The line 7 feet from the net on each side defining the non-volley zone. Touching this line while volleying is a fault. Balls landing on this line are in during normal play.
Centerline
Divides the court from the kitchen line to the baseline on each side, creating two service boxes. The centerline applies only for serves, during rallies, the full court width is in play.
Tennis court → pickleball courts
A standard tennis court (36 ft × 78 ft) can fit 2 pickleball courts side-by-side with 8 feet of buffer on each side. Many recreation centers and parks have converted existing tennis courts using portable nets and temporary line tape. Four pickleball courts can fit on two adjacent tennis courts.
Tennis court
36 × 78 ft
Pickleball court
20 × 44 ft
Pickleball courts per tennis court
2
Net height difference
Tennis 36 in center vs PB 34 in center
How to set up a temporary court
Five steps to mark a court on any flat surface.
Mark the baseline (44 ft apart)
Place two baseline markers 44 feet apart. These are the back boundaries on each side. Ensure the surface is flat and your measurement is square.
Mark the court width (20 ft)
From each baseline corner, measure 20 feet perpendicular to create the sidelines. Use chalk, tape, or boundary markers. Check diagonal measurements to confirm the court is square.
Mark the kitchen lines (7 ft from net)
The net goes at the 22-foot midpoint. Measure 7 feet from the net toward each baseline to mark the kitchen lines. These run the full 20-foot width of the court.
Mark the centerlines
From the kitchen line to each baseline, draw a centerline dividing each side of the court in half (two 10-foot service boxes). The centerline does not extend into the kitchen.
Set the net
Set net posts 22 feet apart (at the sidelines or just outside) with the net at 36 inches on each side. Center sag should reach approximately 34 inches. A tape measure at the center confirms correct height.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a pickleball court?
A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, for a total playing area of 880 square feet. This includes the non-volley zone (kitchen) on each side, which extends 7 feet from the net. The service boxes on each side are 10 feet wide and 15 feet deep (from the kitchen line to the baseline). Courts should have at least 10 feet of out-of-bounds space on all sides.
How high is the net in pickleball?
The pickleball net is 36 inches (3 feet) high at the sidelines and 34 inches (2 feet 10 inches) high at the center, where it sags slightly. This is lower than a tennis net (which is 36 inches at center) and creates a different ball arc requirement for shots. The lower center encourages cross-court play where the net is higher at the edges.
How many pickleball courts fit on a tennis court?
Two pickleball courts fit side-by-side on one standard tennis court (which is 36 feet wide by 78 feet long). Some facilities fit four pickleball courts on two adjacent tennis courts with optimized spacing. Converting a tennis court involves adding temporary or permanent pickleball lines, the net can sometimes be lowered to 34 inches at center for pickleball use.
How deep is the kitchen in pickleball?
The kitchen (non-volley zone) is 7 feet deep on each side of the net, extending from the net to the kitchen line. Combined, the two kitchens cover 14 feet of the 44-foot court length. The kitchen is 20 feet wide (the full court width). Understanding the kitchen's depth matters for dink targeting and determining whether you're in or out of the zone.
Next steps
Put this into action
Use what you just read to find a game, get on court, and show up prepared.