Pickleball Court Dimensions
Total court size: is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long is what you need. This is the same for both singles and doubles. It is the standard size you would find on a professional court or one you find at the gym. Of course there are mini versions you can find and create if you have a smaller area however if you want “the real thing” you would need a large flat paved area free from cracks and divots.
Net height: should be 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high at the center for proper play. if you are are converting a tennis court you will need a new net because this one is smaller. In this case it is best to find one online like this one that is portable so you can use the area for both sports with lines for both.
You can see the image below that we offer a link to below so you can download a copy yourself. We have a lot of pickleball printables on our site because I’m “old” and still love putting pen to paper.
Breakdown by Measurements
| Section | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Total Court Length | 44 ft |
| Total Court Width | 20 ft |
| Kitchen Depth (each side) | 7 ft |
| Distance from Kitchen to Baseline | 15 ft |
| Service Box (each half) | 10 ft × 15 ft |
| Net Height (center) | 34 inches |
| Net Height (posts) | 36 inches |
Printable PDF
If you would like to print pickleball court dimensions you can do so here. It is in black and white so it won’t take much ink, print as many as you’d like. Have it handy when buying enough supplies and marking out the measurements when creating your fun area.
I would also grab some printable pickleball rules here too. When ready you can go over then with your group of players so everyone is on the same page before you begin.
The best way to make a pickleball court out of a tennis court
Option 1: Single Pickleball Court on a Tennis Court
If you want to Use the tennis net (lower the center to 34 inches if possible). It is possible to use all the things you already have to save money, it just won’t be totally accurate. You will want some paint or tape to create a pickleball-sized court (20’ x 44’) in the center or to one side. They should be different colors than the tennis lines so you can differentiate between the two easily when playing. This option would be Ideal for casual/recreational play.
What You Need; Temporary tape or permanent paint + Measuring tape + A Net strap to lower the center so it is closer to the height for this “new sport”.
Option 2: Two Pickleball Courts per Tennis Court (Using Net Posts)
For this you would want to place one court on each side of the tennis net, oriented in the same direction. For a more accurate sizing and play you would want to use portable pickleball nets (or drop-in nets) of the proper size. Once again you would need some paint or tape to create two 20′ x 44′ courts. Benefit to this option is that is uses space efficiently, still leaves tennis net untouched, and it is great for shared-use facilities.
Option 3: Four Pickleball Courts per Tennis Court (Full Conversion)
You would rotate courts perpendicular to tennis net, use portable nets (pickleball nets are 22’ wide including posts), and still need some paint/tape to create 4 full-size courts (2 on each side of tennis net). For this option you could fit two courts on each half (each 20’ x 44’), with at least 2-4 ft buffer between courts. This maximizes usage (especially for clubs or community centers) which makes it great for open play and tournaments.
Conversion Tips
Line Colors: Use different colors for tennis and pickleball lines to avoid confusion. Net Adjustment: Tennis nets are 36” at center — pickleball requires 34”. Use a center strap or a dedicated portable net. Surface Wear: Temporary tape is great for short-term use, but paint is better for long-term use Court Orientation: If possible, orient pickleball courts north-south to reduce sun in players’ eyes. I like having a wall or board close to post our pickleball round robin printable so everyone can see it when we have a tournament.
Pickleball Court Terms Explained
1. Baseline runs parallel to the net at the far ends of the court (at 0 ft and 44 ft). Players serve from behind this line.
2. Sidelines are the long lines running down the sides of the court (0 ft to 44 ft). They define the width of the playable area (20 ft).
3. Non-Volley Zone (“The Kitchen”) is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net. Extends the full 20-foot width. This is where players cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in this zone. Encourages drop shots and soft play at the net.
4. Service Areas are divided into two halves on each side of the net: Right service area and Left service area Each is 10 feet wide by 15 feet deep (from the kitchen line to the baseline). Used during serve and return of serve rotations.
Once you are ready, grab our pickleball bracket sheet and call your friends to come over and play!
