A regulation pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long.
Curious about how wide is a pickleball court and why it matters? I coach and mark courts for clubs and backyards, and I’ll walk you through every detail. You’ll learn the exact width, how to measure it, and how width shapes rallies, angles, and strategy. If you want the real answer to how wide is a pickleball court, with tips you can use today, you’re in the right place.
Official dimensions: how wide is a pickleball court?
If you want the short, official answer to how wide is a pickleball court: it’s 20 feet from outside edge to outside edge of the sidelines. The full court is 44 feet long. The non-volley zone, also called the kitchen, is 7 feet deep on each side of the net.
A few key specs most people miss:
- Lines are 2 inches wide and count as in. Dimensions are measured to the outside edge of the lines.
- Net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center.
- Metric dimensions: 6.10 m wide and 13.41 m long.
Why this matters: when you ask how wide is a pickleball court, you need the exact spec so your markings do not end up narrow, which skews angles and footwork.
Why the 20-foot width matters for play
Players ask me how wide is a pickleball court because that 20 feet changes everything. It sets your angles for dinks, drop shots, and drives.
Here is what the width influences:
- Doubles angles. At 20 feet, a sharp cross-court dink travels low risk when you hit from kitchen corner to corner.
- Passing lanes. Drives down the line are precise because the sideline is close to the player.
- Recovery space. The 20-foot span forces tight footwork, split steps, and smart positioning.
When you know how wide is a pickleball court, you can practice patterns that mirror real match angles, not guesswork.
Singles vs. doubles: is the width the same?
People often assume singles uses a thinner court. Not in pickleball. If you ask how wide is a pickleball court for singles versus doubles, the answer is the same: 20 feet wide for both.
Useful breakdown:
- Same sidelines. The width does not shrink for singles.
- Service boxes. The centerline splits the 20-foot width into equal left and right service courts.
- Kitchen width. The non-volley zone spans the entire 20 feet on each side of the net.
I tell new players who ask how wide is a pickleball court to picture a doubles court. You always play on that same width, no matter the format.
Space you need around the court
The court is 20 by 44 feet, but you need safe run-off space. If you are planning a backyard build, you should ask more than how wide is a pickleball court. You should ask how wide is the full playing area you should plan for.
Recommended clear space:
- Minimum playing area: 30 feet wide by 60 feet long
- Preferred playing area: 34 feet wide by 64 feet long
- Extra buffer helps with lobs, chasing shots, and safe stops
This extra space is key. I’ve seen players trip because the fence sits too close. When readers ask how wide is a pickleball court, I remind them that safe margins matter as much as the 20 feet.
How to measure and mark the width yourself
If you plan to tape a court in a gym or on a driveway, you will want a simple plan. When someone asks me how wide is a pickleball court, I give the number, then share this quick method.
What you need:
- A 100-foot tape measure or two 50-foot tapes
- Chalk line or painter’s tape that is 2 inches wide
- A helper, two stakes, and a square or 3-4-5 triangle method
Steps I use in clinics:
- Mark the net line. Snap a straight line for the net location.
- Create the 44-foot length. Mark baseline points 22 feet from the net on each side.
- Square the corners. Use a 3-4-5 triangle or a large carpenter square so the baselines are at right angles to the net line.
- Measure the width. From each baseline corner, measure 10 feet out to each side to set the 20-foot total. Repeat at the net line for matching sidelines.
- Tape the 2-inch lines. Include the kitchen lines 7 feet from the net, all the way across.
Pro tip: Re-check the distance between sidelines at net and at baselines. If two spots disagree, split the difference. That fixes drift and gives you the true 20-foot width you asked about when you wondered how wide is a pickleball court.
Indoor vs. outdoor courts and line choices
Line type can change how the court feels. I get many emails that start with how wide is a pickleball court and end with why tape made the court feel smaller. The answer is line thickness and contrast.
What to consider:
- Use 2-inch lines. Wider or narrower lines change sight cues and can trick your eye.
- Bright contrast. White lines on dark surfaces are easiest to track.
- Non-slip tape or paint. Avoid slick tape indoors to prevent falls.
- Temperature effects. Outdoor paint can expand or fade; re-measure every season to keep that 20-foot spec true.
If you ask how wide is a pickleball court from a rules view, it is always 20 feet. But poor lines can make it play narrower. Good lines fix that.
Common mistakes when marking width (and how to fix them)
I have seen many DIY courts that look fine but play odd. Each time, the first question is how wide is a pickleball court. Then we find where they went off.
Frequent errors:
- Sidelines pulled in. The court ends up 18 or 19 feet wide. Re-measure 10 feet from the centerline on each side.
- Using tennis boxes. Tennis service boxes are not pickleball lines. Start fresh.
- Thin, wavy lines. Use a chalk snap and painter’s tape to keep lines straight and a full 2 inches wide.
- Net posts not centered. If the net is off-center, the sidelines will not match. Center the net first, then draw lines.
Fixing width issues is simple: keep measuring. When you ask how wide is a pickleball court, follow the 20-foot rule at net, mid-court, and baselines to confirm squareness.
Strategy tips shaped by the 20-foot width
The 20-foot span rewards precision. When players learn how wide is a pickleball court, they start to trust their angles.
Try these drills:
- Corner-to-corner dinks. Aim from your kitchen corner to theirs. The 20-foot width sharpens aim.
- Down-the-line blocks. Practice a compact block along the sideline. The narrow lane teaches control.
- Two-player shadow move. Both players slide together along the kitchen line, covering all 20 feet without gaps.
I remind students who ask how wide is a pickleball court that the width is a teacher. It forces clean footwork, soft hands, and fast eyes.
Building or converting a court: cost and planning notes
If your next step after asking how wide is a pickleball court is building one, plan ahead. A true 20-foot width with safe margins prevents do-overs.
Planning tips:
- Choose a 34 by 64-foot pad if you can. That ensures safe space.
- Budget for a quality net and posts. The right net height protects line calls near the sidelines.
- Seal or repaint lines each year. Keep that 2-inch width crisp for fair calls.
A good build answers more than how wide is a pickleball court. It creates a safe, durable play space that feels right from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions of how wide is a pickleball court
Is the width the same for indoor and outdoor courts?
Yes. If you ask how wide is a pickleball court indoors or outdoors, the spec is the same 20 feet. Only the surface and line materials change.
Do singles and doubles use the same width?
Yes. People often ask how wide is a pickleball court for singles, and it is still 20 feet. The court layout does not shrink for singles.
How wide is a pickleball court in meters?
If someone asks how wide is a pickleball court in metric, it is 6.10 meters. The length is 13.41 meters.
Are the lines part of the court width?
Yes. When players ask how wide is a pickleball court including lines, the 2-inch lines are in. Measurements go to the outside edge of the lines.
How much space do I need around the court?
Beyond how wide is a pickleball court, plan for 30 by 60 feet minimum. If you have room, 34 by 64 feet is ideal for safety.
Can I use tennis tape or chalk for lines?
Yes, if it is 2 inches wide and non-slip. The common follow-up to how wide is a pickleball court is how to mark it; use quality tape or paint for clean edges.
What if my driveway is not wide enough?
If your space is less than 20 feet, scale it evenly. You can still play, but know that the answer to how wide is a pickleball court for regulation play remains 20 feet.
Conclusion
Now you know the full answer to how wide is a pickleball court: 20 feet wide, with details that shape fair play, smart angles, and safe builds. Use the tips above to measure, mark, and practice with confidence. Ready to put this to work? Grab a tape, square your lines, and set up a true court. Want more guides like this? Subscribe, share your questions, or leave a comment with your court plans.