Pickleball Court Size: Dimensions, Kitchen Line & Net Height

Pickleball Court Size: Dimensions, Kitchen Line and Net Height Explained

A standard pickleball court measures 20 feet wide and 44 feet long (about 6.1 m by 13.4 m), for both singles and doubles. The net is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches in the centre, and a 7-foot 'kitchen' zone sits on each side of the net.

What are the dimensions of a pickleball court?

Every marking on a pickleball court follows a fixed standard. Here are the numbers that matter:

Feature	Measurement
Court width	20 ft (6.1 m)
Court length	44 ft (13.4 m)
Net height at sidelines	36 in (91 cm)
Net height at centre	34 in (86 cm)
Kitchen (non-volley zone)	7 ft (2.1 m) from the net, on both sides
Service area	15 ft deep on each side, split into left and right courts
Recommended playing area with run-off	About 30 ft by 60 ft

The extra run-off space matters. Players need room to retreat for lobs and reach wide shots without hitting a wall.

Is a pickleball court the same size as a badminton court?

The footprint is the same. A pickleball court matches a badminton doubles court at 20 ft by 44 ft. The big difference is the net: a pickleball net sits at roughly 3 ft, while a badminton net is around 5 ft high.

If you play badminton in Mangalore, the layout will feel familiar. You are simply swapping a shuttle for a ball and a racket for a paddle. Our pickleball vs badminton guide covers the other differences.

What is the kitchen in pickleball?

The kitchen is the non-volley zone, a 7-foot strip on each side of the net. You cannot hit the ball out of the air while standing in this zone or touching its line. You can step in to play a ball that has already bounced.

The rule stops players from standing at the net and smashing every ball. It keeps rallies longer and rewards soft, controlled shots. Read our pickleball rules guide for scoring and serving.

How do the service courts work?

You serve underhand, diagonally across the court. The ball must clear the kitchen and land in the opposite service area. Each side's service area is the 15 ft zone behind the kitchen line, divided down the middle into left and right.

Singles or doubles: does the court change?

No. Singles and doubles use the same 20 ft by 44 ft court. Doubles is more popular because four players share the space, rallies are social, and beginners find it easier to cover the court.

Why does the playing surface matter?

Court size is only half the picture. A consistent floor gives predictable bounces and protects your joints. Mangalore's long monsoon and humid months can make outdoor courts unreliable, which is why an indoor setup matters.

OneLve is Mangalore's first pickleball centre, located on the 6th floor of Bharath Mall on Bejai Main Road. Playing indoors means rain or heat never cancels your game. You can reserve a court on WhatsApp at +91 63628 22108.

FAQs

How big is a pickleball court?  A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long (6.1 m by 13.4 m). This size is used for both singles and doubles play.

Is a pickleball court the same as a badminton court?  The footprint matches a badminton doubles court at 20 ft by 44 ft. The pickleball net is much lower, at 36 inches at the sidelines.

What is the kitchen in pickleball?  The kitchen is the non-volley zone, extending 7 feet from the net on each side. You cannot volley the ball while standing in it.

What is the height of a pickleball net?  The net is 36 inches (91 cm) high at the sidelines and 34 inches (86 cm) in the centre.

Where can I play indoor pickleball in Mangalore?  OneLve, Mangalore's first pickleball centre, offers indoor courts on the 6th floor of Bharath Mall, Bejai Main Road. Book through WhatsApp or the contact form on the OneLve website.