Padel Court Dimensions
A standard padel court has a simple layout once you know the key numbers. The court is compact, symmetrical, and built around a fixed net, service lines, walls, and clear minimum height requirements.
Padel court dimensions at a glance
These are the measurements most players, coaches, and club owners check first. The official FIP court is measured from the inside of the playing area.
| Dimension | Official size | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Court size | 20 m x 10 m | The standard doubles court footprint. |
| Playing area | 200 sq m | Small enough for long rallies and fast recoveries. |
| Service line | 6.95 m from the net | Creates the service boxes on both sides. |
| Central service line | Extends 20 cm past the service line | Splits each service area into two boxes. |
| Line width | 5 cm | All court lines should be consistent. |
| Net height | 88 cm centre / 92 cm posts | The centre is slightly lower than the sides. |
| Minimum free height | 6 m | No obstruction should sit below this clearance. |
| Recommended free height | 8 m for new courts | Better for lobs, smashes, and modern indoor facilities. |
How the court is set out
The official court is a rectangle, 10 metres wide and 20 metres long. It is divided into two equal halves by the net, so each side is 10 m x 10 m.
The service line sits 6.95 metres from the net on each side. The central service line divides the area between the net and the service line into left and right service boxes. That geometry is why the serve in padel feels controlled rather than explosive.
The court size also explains why positioning is so important. You do not have the open space of tennis. You have a compact court, walls in play, and very little time to recover if you stand in the wrong place.
Net height, lines, and free space
The padel net is 88 cm high at the centre and 92 cm at the posts. This small difference is part of the official specification and affects low serves, volleys, and balls played close to the net.
All lines are 5 cm wide and should be clearly visible. For players, the most important lines are the service line and the central service line because they decide whether a serve is in the correct box.
The minimum free height above the whole court is 6 metres. For new courts, 8 metres is the better target because it gives more room for defensive lobs, high recoveries, and overhead play.
Why these dimensions matter in real play
Padel feels different from other racket sports because the court is small, enclosed, and symmetrical. The 20 x 10 m layout keeps both teams close enough for long rallies while still rewarding smart use of the glass.
If you are learning the game, use the court dimensions as a positioning guide. When you understand where the service boxes, walls, and net sit, it becomes easier to understand why the basic rules work the way they do.
For the wider rule context, read the official rules page, the beginner rules guide, and the scoring guide.
FAQ
A standard padel court is 20 m long and 10 m wide, measured from the inside of the playing area.
The service line is 6.95 m from the net on each side of the court.
The net is 88 cm high at the centre and 92 cm high at the posts.
The minimum free height is 6 m across the whole court.
Eight metres gives more room for lobs, overheads, and full defensive play, especially indoors.
For how each court part affects live points, see padel court basics.