What are the dimensions of a pickleball court and what do the lines look like? A pickleball court is 6.10 meters wide and 13.41 meters long and has the same outer dimensions as a double badminton court.
In this guide, SwePickleball will go through the dimensions of a pickleball court, lines, the kitchen, the net, and different types of surfaces. You will also learn how a badminton or tennis court can be used for pickleball.
What are the dimensions of a pickleball court?
An official pickleball court is:
- 13.41 meters long
- 6.10 meters wide
- 2.13 meters for the kitchen measured from both sides of the net.
The same court size is used for both singles and doubles.
This is an important difference from tennis, where singles and doubles use playing areas of different widths.
Furthermore, the outer dimensions of a pickleball court correspond to a double badminton court, which is one of the reasons why the sport is relatively easy to introduce in existing Swedish sports halls.
Different parts of a pickleball court
Despite its relatively small area, the pickleball court consists of several clearly defined areas and lines.
The most important are:
- the baseline
- the sidelines
- the center line
- the right service court
- the left service court
- the kitchen line
- the kitchen or non-volley zone
Understanding these areas makes it significantly easier to learn serving, positioning, and rules.
If you are new to the sport, we also recommend our guide How to play pickleball.
What is the kitchen on a pickleball court?
The area closest to the net is usually called the kitchen in Swedish. The official English name is non-volley zone, often abbreviated as NVZ.
The kitchen extends 2.13 meters from the net on both sides and across the entire width of the court.
This area is a central part of pickleball because special volley rules apply there.
You are allowed to enter the kitchen and play a ball that has bounced. However, you are not allowed to hit a volley while standing in the kitchen or on the kitchen line.
The kitchen line is considered part of the kitchen
It is important to know that the line itself in front of the kitchen also belongs to the non-volley zone.
If you hit a volley while any part of your foot touches the kitchen line, you commit a fault.
This is one of the rules that new players often need some time to get used to.
The service courts on a pickleball court
Behind the kitchen, each half of the court is divided into two service courts:
- right service court
- left service court
The center line divides the two service courts.
The serve is hit diagonally from one side of the court to the opposite service court on the other side of the net.
Which side you should serve from depends, among other things, on the score and whether you are playing singles or doubles.
→ Read how scoring and service position work
The baseline
The baseline is the back line on each side of the court.
When serving, the player must be behind the baseline when the ball is hit.
The baseline also plays an important tactical role. New players sometimes tend to stay too far back on the court for too long, while experienced doubles players often try to work their way towards the kitchen line when the situation allows.
The sidelines
The sidelines mark the outer edges of the court.
Since the same width is used for both singles and doubles, you don't need to keep track of any separate singles lines as you do in tennis.
How high is the net in pickleball?
The pickleball net is slightly lower in the middle than at the posts.
It is approximately:
- 91.4 cm high at the sidelines
- 86.4 cm high in the middle
The lower middle section affects the game and makes cross-court shots interesting, for example, because the ball passes over a lower part of the net.
Is a pickleball court the same size as a badminton court?
Yes. The outer dimensions of a pickleball court correspond to a double badminton court.
This means that many Swedish sports halls already have an area that is fundamentally very suitable for pickleball.
However, special pickleball markings are required for the kitchen and service courts, among other things, for the court to be clear and correct.
Can you play pickleball on a badminton court?
Yes. It is very common for pickleball to be played on badminton courts in sports halls.
Since the court size is a good match, you can use the same outer dimensions and supplement with the lines needed for pickleball.
A pickleball net is also lower than a standard badminton net, so the net height must be adjusted.
Can you play pickleball on a tennis court?
Yes. A tennis court can be adapted for pickleball.
Since a pickleball court is significantly smaller than a tennis court, it is often possible to fit several pickleball courts in the same area.
This is a common way to create pickleball opportunities at existing tennis facilities.
Courts can be marked permanently or with temporary lines depending on how often the area is used for pickleball.
Pickleball on hardcourt
Hardcourt is a very common surface for permanent pickleball, especially on dedicated courts.
The surface typically provides a clear and relatively consistent bounce and works well for both training and competitive play.
Hardcourt can be found both:
- indoors
- outdoors
So it is the surface – not whether the court is indoors or outdoors – that determines if it is hardcourt.
Pickleball on sports flooring
In Sweden, a lot of pickleball is also played on traditional sports flooring in sports halls.
This can be wood, synthetic sports flooring, or other surfaces also used for, for example, badminton, floorball, and handball.
The playing feel can differ significantly from hardcourt depending on the friction and bounce of the floor.
This affects, among other things, the choice of shoes and which pickleball ball is most suitable.
→ Compare pickleball balls for hardcourt, sports flooring, indoors and outdoors
Hardcourt or sports flooring – which is best?
There are advantages to both surfaces.
| Characteristic | Hardcourt | Sports Flooring |
|---|---|---|
| Bounce | Often clear and consistent | Can vary between halls |
| Playing Feel | Direct and competitive | Can feel softer |
| Permanent pickleball | Very common | Often shared hall |
| Ball choice | Often harder ball type | Often classic indoor ball |
Which surface you prefer is partly a matter of taste. If you play competitively, it is also an advantage to be accustomed to several different types of courts.
How much space is needed around a pickleball court?
The playing area itself is 6.10 × 13.41 meters, but a good pickleball facility needs additional clear space around the court.
Players need to be able to move outside the baseline and sidelines without directly encountering walls, fences, other courts, or other obstacles.
The more competitive the play, the more important the clear space becomes, as players sometimes need to move far outside the actual court markings.
How do you mark a temporary pickleball court?
If you want to try pickleball on an existing sports surface, the court can be marked temporarily.
Common solutions include, for example:
- sports tape designed for flooring
- temporary line markers
- cones or other markers for try-out games
Be careful that any tape is suitable for the surface and does not damage the floor or create a slipping hazard.
For regular play, clear permanent lines are naturally significantly better.
Can you build your own pickleball court?
Yes. For a permanent court, you primarily need a sufficiently large and even surface, correct court marking, and a net of the right height.
If the court is to be used seriously, you should also consider:
- clear space around the playing area
- surface
- drainage for outdoor courts
- lighting
- fencing or ball stop
- orientation in relation to the sun for outdoor play
For a simple try-out court, the needs can be significantly smaller, especially if you are using an existing badminton or tennis area.
The importance of the court for pickleball tactics
The small court is an important reason why pickleball gets its special playing style.
The distance between players becomes short when both teams stand at the kitchen line. Therefore, reactions, control, and placement become very important.
At the same time, the kitchen means that players cannot simply stand close to the net and hit volleys. This creates space for dinks, drops, and a more tactical net game.
If you want to develop how you use the different areas of the court, we recommend our guide on pickleball tactics.
Where can I find pickleball courts in Sweden?
Today, there are pickleball courts and organized play in many Swedish towns. Some facilities have permanent hardcourt pickleball courts, while others use badminton, tennis, or multi-sport halls.
At SwePickleball, we gather clubs, halls, and other playing opportunities around the country.
→ Find pickleball clubs and courts in Sweden
Summary – pickleball court dimensions
A pickleball court is 13.41 meters long and 6.10 meters wide. The same court size is used for both singles and doubles.
On each side of the net, there is a 2.13 meter deep kitchen, also called the non-volley zone. The net is approximately 91.4 cm high at the sidelines and 86.4 cm in the middle.
Pickleball can be played on both permanent hardcourts and temporarily marked courts in, for example, sports halls and on tennis courts.
If you want to learn more about the sport, you can continue to Learn pickleball.
Frequently asked questions about the pickleball court
How big is a pickleball court?
A pickleball court is 13.41 meters long and 6.10 meters wide. The same size is used in both singles and doubles.
Is a pickleball court the same size as a badminton court?
The outer dimensions of a pickleball court correspond to a double badminton court, which means that many badminton halls can be relatively easily used for pickleball.
How big is the kitchen in pickleball?
The kitchen, or non-volley zone, extends 2.13 meters from the net on both sides and across the entire width of the court.
How high is a pickleball net?
The net is approximately 91.4 cm high at the sidelines and approximately 86.4 cm high in the middle.
Can you play pickleball on a badminton court?
Yes. The outer dimensions of the courts are the same. However, you need the correct lines for the kitchen, among other things, and a net with an appropriate pickleball height.
Can you play pickleball on a tennis court?
Yes. A tennis court can be marked for pickleball, and since the pickleball court is smaller, it is often possible to fit several pickleball courts in the same tennis area.
What is the difference between hardcourt and sports flooring?
Hardcourt is a hard and often permanent court surface common in pickleball and tennis. Sports flooring is often used in Swedish sports halls and can consist of, for example, wood or synthetic materials. The bounce and playing feel can differ between the surfaces.
Can you play pickleball both indoors and outdoors?
Yes. Pickleball can be played both indoors and outdoors on several different surfaces.
Where can I find a pickleball court near me?
On SwePickleBall's page Pickleball Clubs & Courts, you can find clubs and playing opportunities in various locations in Sweden.
If you want to find a court near you, you can go directly to our guide on pickleball clubs and courts in Sweden.
