Pickleball court dimensions and equipment
Every official measurement you need, plus the practical advice nobody puts on the diagram.
Court dimensions
| Measurement | Size |
|---|---|
| Court, total playing area | 20 ft × 44 ft (6.10 m × 13.41 m) |
| Non-volley zone (kitchen), each side | 20 ft × 7 ft |
| Service courts, each | 10 ft × 15 ft |
| Net height at sidelines | 36 in (91 cm) |
| Net height at centre | 34 in (86 cm) |
| Recommended total space | 30 ft × 60 ft |
The court is the same size for singles and doubles — unlike tennis, there are no separate tramlines. The 2-inch drop from sideline to centre net height is deliberate: it rewards hitting through the middle.
Converting a tennis court
A tennis court fits four pickleball courts comfortably. A tennis net is 36 inches at the centre — 2 inches too high — so for casual play you can either accept it or lower the net. Many clubs simply tape lines on and play with the tennis net for social sessions.
A badminton court is almost exactly the right size, which is not a coincidence: pickleball was invented on one.
Choosing a paddle
- Weight is the decision that matters. Light (7.3–7.8 oz) gives control and quick hands at the net. Heavy (8.3–9.0 oz) gives power and stability but tires your arm and slows reactions. Mid-weight suits almost everyone starting out.
- Grip size should let your index finger fit snugly in the gap between fingertips and palm when gripping. Too small causes wrist strain; you can always build a grip up with overgrip, never down.
- Core and face — polymer cores are the quiet, forgiving default. Fibreglass faces give more pop, carbon fibre more spin and control.
- Certification — if you intend to play sanctioned tournaments, check the paddle is on the USA Pickleball approved list.
Do not spend $250 on your first paddle. Play for a month, work out whether you are a banger or a dinker, then buy properly.
Indoor versus outdoor balls
These are genuinely different, and using the wrong one is why the game sometimes feels strange.
- Outdoor balls — smaller holes, more of them, harder plastic, heavier. They cut through wind and are noticeably faster.
- Indoor balls — fewer, larger holes, softer plastic. Slower, with longer rallies and more spin response.
What else to bring
- Court shoes. The lateral support matters more than any other equipment decision you will make.
- Eye protection if you play at the net regularly. Balls travel fast in kitchen exchanges.
- A way to keep score. Fingers and memory fail by game three. Paddle Time Bro runs the schedule and the scoreboard from a phone.