In short
A standard padel court is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide, about 65.6 by 32.8 feet, and fully enclosed. The net is 0.88 meters high in the middle and 0.92 meters at the posts, the back walls are 4 meters high, glass topped with mesh, and the service lines sit 6.95 meters from the net.
Updated
How big is a padel court?
A padel court is a rectangle 10 meters wide and 20 meters long, measured from the inside, with a tolerance of 0.5% (International Padel Federation Rules of Padel, in force January 1, 2026). That is 32.8 by 65.6 feet, a playing area of 200 square meters, or about 2,153 square feet.
The net divides the court into two halves of 10 by 10 meters. On each side, a service line runs parallel to the net at 6.95 meters (22.8 feet) from it, and a center service line splits the area between the net and the service line into two service boxes. The center line extends at least 20 cm beyond the service line. All lines are 5 cm wide, preferably white or black for contrast.
What are all the padel court measurements?
| Element | Metric | Imperial (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Court length (inside) | 20 m | 65 ft 7 in |
| Court width (inside) | 10 m | 32 ft 10 in |
| Service line distance from the net | 6.95 m | 22 ft 10 in |
| Net height at the center | 0.88 m | 34.6 in |
| Net height at the posts | 0.92 m | 36.2 in |
| Net length | 10 m | 32 ft 10 in |
| Maximum net post height | 1.05 m | 41.3 in |
| Back wall (end) total height | 4 m (3 m wall + 1 m mesh) | 13 ft 1 in |
| Minimum clear height over the court | 6 m (8 m suggested for new builds) | 19 ft 8 in (26 ft 3 in) |
| Line width | 5 cm | 2 in |
How high is a padel net?
The net is 10 meters long, 0.88 meters high at the center and 0.92 meters at the ends, with a tolerance of 5 mm. It hangs from a metal cable no thicker than 1 cm, attached to two posts no taller than 1.05 meters. The top is finished with a white band 5.0 to 6.3 cm deep. The outer side of each post must line up with the side limit of the court, and the net must fill the whole space between the posts and the floor without gaps.
For comparison, a tennis net is 0.914 m (3 ft) at the center and 1.07 m (3 ft 6 in) at the posts, so a padel net is slightly lower in the middle.
How tall are the walls and fences?
Both ends are 4 meters high in total: the first 3 meters are a solid wall (usually tempered glass, sometimes brick or concrete) and the top meter is metal mesh. The walls must produce a uniform bounce, which is why material and installation are regulated.
The sides come in two permitted designs:
- Variant 1, stepped: at each end, a wall section 3 m high by 2 m long, then a step down to 2 m high for the next 2 m. Mesh completes the side to 3 m high across the central 6 meters and to 4 m at both ends.
- Variant 2, crystal: at each end, a single glass wall 3 m high by 4 m long with no step. Mesh fills in up to 4 m high over the last 2 meters.
The mesh must be square, electro-welded wire with openings between 5 and 7.08 cm measured diagonally. That detail matters in play: a ball that bounces in the opponents' court and then sticks in or passes through the mesh wins the point.
What surface and openings does a padel court have?
The playing surface can be cement, synthetic material or artificial grass, as long as the bounce is regular; most modern courts use sand-filled artificial turf. FIP lists green, blue or terracotta as the preferred colors, in a single color that contrasts with the walls. The floor must be level to within 3 mm over 3 meters.
Players enter through openings in the sides, placed symmetrically around the center. With one opening per side it must measure between 1.05 by 2.0 m and 2.20 by 2.20 m; with two openings per side, each must be between 0.72 by 2.00 m and 1.10 by 2.20 m. Openings may have doors, with handles on the outside.
How much space do you need to build a padel court?
The court itself needs a level 20 by 10 meter footprint plus room for the structure, posts and lighting. If you want to allow out-of-court play, FIP requires an obstacle-free area beside each side opening at least 3 meters wide (4 meters recommended), 4 meters long and 3 meters high, with padding on the openings and net posts. Light poles must be outside the court, and indoor ceilings need at least 6 meters of clear height over the whole court, with 8 meters suggested for new facilities.
For outdoor courts, FIP recommends running the long axis north to south, allowing a variation between north-northeast and north-northwest, to reduce sun in players' eyes. USA Padel also advises working only with court builders that follow FIP standards and are licensed, bonded and insured. If you are planning a club, those standards are the starting point for permits and insurance.
How does a padel court compare with tennis and pickleball?
| Sport | Playing area | Net height (center) | Enclosed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padel | 20 × 10 m (65.6 × 32.8 ft) | 0.88 m (34.6 in) | Yes, walls in play |
| Tennis (doubles) | 23.77 × 10.97 m (78 × 36 ft) | 0.914 m (36 in) | No |
| Pickleball | 13.4 × 6.1 m (44 × 20 ft) | 34 in | No |
The comparison helps when converting space: a padel court is shorter than a tennis court but nearly as wide, and about 2.4 times the area of a pickleball court. More on the sports themselves in padel vs tennis and padel vs pickleball.
Ready to see a regulation court in person? Find one on the padel clubs by city pages, and read the rules of padel before your first match.
Padel court dimensions: frequently asked questions
Is a padel court the same size everywhere?
Official courts follow FIP's 20 by 10 meter standard with a 0.5% tolerance. Single courts for one-on-one play exist, but they are a separate, narrower format and are not used in official doubles competition.
How many padel courts fit on a tennis court?
On paper, two padel courts side by side take about 20 by 20 meters, which is less than a tennis court's footprint including run-off. In practice, the conversion depends on the structure, clearances and drainage, so get a builder's site plan.
How high should the ceiling be for an indoor padel court?
At least 6 meters of clear height over the whole court, with no lights or beams in that space. FIP suggests 8 meters for new facilities, which suits the high lobs common in padel.
How far is the service line from the back wall?
The service line is 6.95 m from the net, so it sits 3.05 m (about 10 ft) in front of the back wall on each side.
Are panoramic courts different in size?
No. "Panoramic" describes courts that replace the corner mesh and posts with more glass for better visibility. The playing dimensions are the same.
What surface is best for a padel court?
FIP allows cement, synthetic surfaces and artificial grass. Most new courts use sand-filled artificial turf because it gives a regular bounce and good grip; the right choice also depends on climate and indoor or outdoor use.
Sources
- International Padel Federation, Rules of Padel (review in force January 1, 2026): The Court, Net, Enclosures, Ground surface, Access, Safety area, Illumination and Orientation. Checked October 11, 2026.
- USA Padel, Frequently asked questions (starting a padel club), checked October 11, 2026.
- USA Pickleball, What is pickleball; tennis dimensions from the ITF Rules of Tennis, Rule 1.
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