TL;DR: What Are the Dimensions of a Pickleball Court?
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Standard court size: 20 feet wide × 44 feet long
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Non-volley zone ("kitchen"): 7 feet from the net on each side
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Service boxes: 10 feet deep × 15 feet wide
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Recommended total playing area: 34 × 64 feet
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Net height: 36" at the posts, 34" in the middle
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Court size = same for singles and doubles
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Bonus: Yes, you need to know this. No, you don’t need a tennis license.
🤓 Why Knowing Court Dimensions Makes You Less of a Menace
Understanding court layout = less chaos, better shots and fewer arguments over whether your serve hit the line or your opponent’s ego. Master the dimensions and suddenly:
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Your serves are smarter
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Your dinks are sharper
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And your doubles partner stops giving you side-eye
🧱 Pickleball Court Dimensions (Actual Measurements)
| Section | Size |
|---|---|
| Total Court | 20 ft wide × 44 ft long |
| Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) | 7 ft from net on both sides |
| Service Box (Each Side) | 10 ft deep × 15 ft wide |
| Net Height | 36" at posts, 34" at center |
| Ideal Play Area | 34 ft wide × 64 ft long (with run-off space) |
🎯 Same dimensions for singles and doubles. No extra drama.
🥒 Let’s Talk Kitchen (The Non-Volley Zone)
The kitchen is not where snacks live — it’s the 7-foot danger zone on either side of the net:
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No volleys allowed
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You must let the ball bounce before entering
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Foot faults happen here more than failed relationships
Why it matters: If you control the kitchen, you control the match. This is where dinks become deadly (in a good way).
🧭 Breaking Down the Court: What Each Line Does
1. Baselines
The far back lines. You serve behind these. Step on them while serving? Fault. Step on them while backing up? Embarrassment.
2. Sidelines
Define left/right boundaries. If you’re hitting sideline winners on purpose, we salute you.
3. Centerline
Splits the service boxes and helps guide your serve. Also great for starting rallies with ✨geometry✨.
4. Service Boxes
Where your serves must land. These are 15 feet wide × 10 feet deep. If your serve doesn’t land here, congratulations — it’s their point now.
🏗️ How to Build a Pickleball Court (DIY Guide)
Building your own court? Here’s the TikTok tutorial you wish existed — in text:
Step-by-Step:
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Measure 20 ft wide × 44 ft long. Use chalk, tape, or divine intervention.
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Use a square to get perfect 90° angles.
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Mark baselines, sidelines, centerline, service boxes, and kitchen line.
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Kitchen line = 7 ft from net on both sides.
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Centerline splits each service box in half.
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Add net posts 22 ft apart, centered.
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Tape it, paint it, love it. Now play.
⚠️ Common Court-Building Mistakes (And How Not to Be “That Person”)
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Wrong orientation: Courts should run north–south to avoid sun-blinding your partner (or opponent — depending on your pettiness level).
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Zero planning for run-off space: If your court ends at your driveway, your knees won’t forgive you.
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Ignoring the HOA: Check for local bylaws before DIY-ing your pickleball palace.
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No soundproofing: Pickleballs pop. Your neighbours will not.
🧼 Court Maintenance Tips (Because You’re an Adult Now)
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Sweep regularly (bye, leaves and rolled ankles)
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Patch cracks before they become lawsuits
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Repaint lines when they start fading
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Keep the net tensioned and the kitchen clean — metaphorically and literally
📐 What About the Net?
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Net height = 36 inches at the sides, 34 inches at the center
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That slight sag makes pickleball… well, pickleball.
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Lower than tennis = faster rallies and more drama (the good kind)
🎯 Why Court Dimensions Actually Improve Your Game
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Better serves when you know where to aim
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Smarter positioning for poaches, resets and drops
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Fewer out-balls hit because you know what’s in
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More confidence = better games + more fun + more NILK outfits worn in victory
❓ Pickleball Court Dimensions FAQ
What is the standard size of a pickleball court?
20 ft wide × 44 ft long. Same for singles and doubles.
How big is the kitchen in pickleball?
7 ft deep on each side of the net — no volleying allowed in here.
What’s the correct net height?
36 inches at the posts, 34 inches at the center (shorter and lower than a tennis net).
How much space do I need to build a pickleball court?
At least 34 ft × 64 ft of total space including run-off.
🛍️ Shop the NILK Look (Because the Court Is Also a Runway)
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Pickleball Paddles – Carbon fiber that plays hard and serves looks
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Canvas Tote Bag – For carrying both paddles and superiority
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Outdoor Pickleball Balls – Competition-approved, bounce-tested, NILK-approved
🔗 Keep Reading... You Know You Want To.
💼 Curious what pickleball looks like in a boardroom? Follow NILK on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes drops, corporate gifting inspo, and dangerously professional vibes.
🏁 Final Serve
A good paddle won’t save you if you don’t know where to stand.
A well-built court won’t help if you can’t serve in.
But when you’ve got knowledge, dimensions and NILK gear?
You're not just playing. You're serving icon energy.
You're welcome.
🛍️ Shop NILK Gear | 🎓 Read NILK Blog | 💼 NILK on LinkedIn