Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the United States, where the sport is governed by USA Padel. It blends tennis and squash and is played almost entirely as doubles on a fully enclosed court with glass walls and metal mesh fencing. Understanding padel court dimensions is important because these walls, the court size, net height, and playing layout are all designed to shape how the game is played. Those walls are part of the game, which sets padel apart from tennis. For a wider look at the sport, see our padel court guide.
Every figure here is checked against the current Rules of Padel published by the International Padel Federation (FIP), the sport’s global governing body. Note that the correct abbreviation is FIP, not IPF, which is a common mistake online.
How big is a padel court?
A regulation padel court measures 65 ft 7 in long and 32 ft 10 in wide (20 m by 10 m). These are interior measurements, taken inside the enclosure.
The FIP allows a tolerance of 0.5 percent above or below these figures. Any court within that range is fit for official competitive play, and courts outside it can still be used for casual play.
Padel court dimensions in feet and meters
The US uses imperial units while the sport was standardized in metric, so this quick-reference table gives every key measurement in both.
| Element | Imperial (US) | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Court length | 65 ft 7 in | 20 m |
| Court width | 32 ft 10 in | 10 m |
| Playing area | ~2,153 sq ft | 200 sq m |
| Size tolerance | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Service line from net | 22 ft 10 in | 6.95 m |
| Line width | 2 in | 5 cm |
| Net height (center) | 2 ft 11 in | 0.88 m |
| Net height (posts) | 3 ft | 0.92 m |
| End wall height | 13 ft 1 in | 4 m |
| Minimum height clearance | 19 ft 8 in | 6 m |
These numbers are identical for every regulation court worldwide.
Padel court lines and service boxes
A service line runs across each side 22 ft 10 in (6.95 m) from the net. The space between the net and each service line is split down the middle by a central service line, forming the two service boxes on each side. That central line extends at least 8 in (20 cm) past the service line.
Every line is 2 in (5 cm) wide, and the FIP recommends white or black for contrast with the floor. The serve is underhand: it must bounce on your own side first, then travel diagonally into the opponent’s box.
Padel court net dimensions
The net stretches the full 32 ft 10 in (10 m) width with no gaps at the sides. It sits 2 ft 11 in (0.88 m) high at the center and rises to 3 ft (0.92 m) at the posts. It hangs from a metal cable no thicker than 0.39 in (0.01 m), anchored to posts up to 3 ft 5 in (1.05 m) tall, and is capped with a white band between 2 in and 2.5 in (5.0 to 6.3 cm).
Padel court walls and enclosures
The enclosure is the signature feature of a padel court. Balls can rebound off the walls and stay in play, producing the long rallies the sport is known for. The ends measure 32 ft 10 in (10 m) across and the sides run 65 ft 7 in (20 m).
Each end wall reaches a total height of 13 ft 1 in (4 m). The lower 9 ft 10 in (3 m) is solid wall, usually tempered glass, and the top 3 ft 3 in (1 m) is metal mesh fencing.
For the side walls, the FIP permits two approved layouts:
- Variant 1 (stepped): a first step 3 m high by 2 m long, then a second step 2 m high by 2 m long. Metal fencing completes the enclosure, reaching 3 m across the center and 4 m at the ends.
- Variant 2 (crystal): a single glass panel 3 m high by 4 m long with no step, with mesh completing the enclosure up to 4 m at the extremes.
The metal mesh must have diamond or square openings no smaller than 2 in (5 cm) and no larger than 2.79 in (7.08 cm).
How much space do you need for a padel court?
The court is only part of the footprint. Above it, you need at least 19 ft 8 in (6 m) of clear space free of lights. For new indoor builds the FIP suggests 26 ft 3 in (8 m), giving room for high lobs.
Around the court, the safety run-out on each side should be clear for at least 9 ft 10 in (3 m) wide and 13 ft 1 in (4 m) long. As a planning figure, many builders reserve a total plot of about 82 ft by 49 ft (25 m by 15 m) per court.
Padel court surface and materials
A solid, level foundation comes first, usually a concrete base reinforced with steel. On top, the FIP approves cement, synthetic material, or artificial grass, as long as it gives a regular bounce. Artificial turf filled with silica sand is the most popular choice for its grip and comfort.
Approved surface colors are green, blue, or terracotta, in a single tone that differs from the wall color, with blue the most common today. The walls are typically tempered glass and galvanized mesh on steel posts.
Singles and kids padel court dimensions
Almost all padel is doubles, but smaller formats exist. A singles court is narrower at about 6 m wide by 20 m long, and junior courts for young children are often around 5 m by 10 m. These sizes are coaching and manufacturer conventions rather than FIP competition standards, so treat them as practical variants.
How padel compares to tennis and pickleball
A padel court is much smaller than a tennis court. A doubles tennis court measures 78 ft by 36 ft (23.77 m by 10.97 m), close to twice the surface area, which is a big reason padel fits so well into tight urban spaces. The play differs too: in tennis a ball past the lines is out, while in padel it can rebound off the walls and stay live.
Pickleball courts are smaller still, at 44 ft by 20 ft (13.41 m by 6.10 m), with no walls at all.
How much does it cost to build a padel court?
Cost is not set by any governing body and varies with location, materials, and indoor versus outdoor construction. A single court commonly runs into the tens of thousands of dollars once you add the foundation, glass, turf, lighting, and installation, with indoor courts at the higher end. The only reliable figure is a quote from a professional court builder.
FAQs For Padel Court Dimensions
What are the official padel court dimensions?
65 ft 7 in by 32 ft 10 in (20 m by 10 m), set by the FIP with a 0.5 percent tolerance.
Is a padel court smaller than a tennis court?
Yes, it is roughly half the surface area of a doubles tennis court.
How high is a padel net?
2 ft 11 in (0.88 m) at the center, rising to 3 ft (0.92 m) at the posts.
Conclusion
Padel court dimensions come down to a standardized rectangle: 65 ft 7 in by 32 ft 10 in (20 m by 10 m), wrapped in glass and mesh, with a net just under 3 ft high at the center. These measurements keep the game fair and consistent wherever it is played. For any serious build project, the FIP Rules of Padel remain the definitive source.
