World Pickleball Court Dimensions: Singles vs. Doubles Layout and Strategy Explained

Pickleball Court Dimensions Explained: Singles vs. Doubles Play

As pickleball continues its rapid rise in popularity, more players are stepping onto the court — and quickly realizing that understanding the layout is key to playing well. While the game may seem casual at first glance, its court design is carefully crafted to encourage exciting rallies, strategic shot-making, and accessible movement for players of all ages.

Whether you're playing singles or doubles, the dimensions remain mostly the same — but the way you use the court can vary dramatically. Here's what every player should know.

The Standard Pickleball Court: Size and Layout
A standard pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long — about the size of a badminton court.

The Net: The net stretches across the 20-foot width at a height of 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center. This slight dip encourages players to aim shots toward the middle and adds an extra layer of strategy.

The Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen): Extending 7 feet from the net on each side is the non-volley zone, commonly known as "the kitchen." Players cannot volley — hit the ball out of the air — while standing in this zone.

Service Areas: Each side of the court is divided into two service courts, separated by a centerline. These areas are crucial during serves and returns.

The pickleball court layout is the same whether you’re playing indoors or outdoors, though outdoor courts may have different surface materials and wind conditions to consider.

Singles Play: A Game of Coverage
In singles pickleball, each player covers the entire side of their court — all 20 feet of width and 22 feet of depth.

Because there’s only one player on each side:

Movement is more demanding. You have to cover more ground quickly, often sprinting from sideline to sideline.

Shots are different. Deep serves, passing shots, and lobs become essential tactics.

Endurance matters more. Singles tends to be more physically intense than doubles.

Despite the physical demands, the court itself does not shrink in singles. Players use the full width and full length of the court, just like in doubles.

“Singles is a more athletic game,” says Sarah Adams, a competitive pickleball coach in Texas. “You need quick feet, strong strokes, and good anticipation.”

Doubles Play: Teamwork in Tight Spaces
In doubles pickleball, two players share one side of the court. Again, the court dimensions are the same — 20 feet wide by 44 feet long — but now you have a partner to help cover it.

Key differences in doubles play:

Teamwork is essential. Communication and court positioning matter even more than speed.

More emphasis on the kitchen. Many doubles points are won and lost at the non-volley zone line, with players exchanging rapid, strategic dinks (soft shots) over the net.

Angles become critical. Teams aim to move opponents side-to-side, using angles to create openings.

“Doubles is like a chess match played at 100 miles per hour,” says Mark Lu, a 64-year-old pickleball veteran from California. “You don’t have to be the fastest — you have to be the smartest.”

Because two players share the same space, doubles can feel faster and more tactical. Reflexes and placement often trump power.

Key Measurements at a Glance
Here’s a simple breakdown of official pickleball court dimensions:

Court Length 44 feet
Court Width 20 feet
Net Height at Center 34 inches
Net Height at Sidelines 36 inches
Non-Volley Zone Depth 7 feet (each side)
Service Court Size 10 feet wide by 15 feet long (each quadrant)
Whether playing singles or doubles, these measurements never change. What changes is how you move, where you aim, and how you strategize based on the number of players.

How Court Size Shapes the Game
The relatively compact court is a big reason why pickleball is accessible to a wide range of players — from young kids to retirees in their 80s.

Shorter court distances mean less running than in tennis.

Tighter dimensions encourage creativity, soft touch, and smart placement over sheer power.

Smaller court spaces allow for more social interaction, as players are closer to each other.

It’s no accident that pickleball feels faster and more social than many other sports. The court’s design brings people — and their games — closer together.

“Pickleball is the perfect storm of strategy, fitness, and community," says Jenny Brooks, director of a pickleball club in Florida. "And it all starts with how the court is laid out.”

Building or Marking Your Own Court
Given the sport's boom, many schools, churches, and parks are creating their own pickleball courts — sometimes converting unused tennis or basketball courts.

Temporary Courts: You can mark off a standard pickleball court with chalk or tape. Portable nets are available that set up in under 10 minutes.

Converting Tennis Courts: Since a tennis court is much larger (78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles), multiple pickleball courts can fit onto one tennis court surface.

Permanent Courts: For those serious about the sport, resurfacing and installing permanent pickleball lines and nets is becoming more common in community centers and private homes.

Before marking or converting, it’s important to measure carefully. Precision matters to ensure fair play — especially around the non-volley zone and service lines.

Final Thoughts
While the court dimensions in pickleball are consistent across singles and doubles play, how you approach the game varies greatly depending on the number of players. Singles is a test of speed and stamina, while doubles focuses on communication and strategy.

No matter how you play, the compact court size, friendly pace, and emphasis on smart shot-making are part of what make pickleball so appealing to millions — and why it's set to continue growing in popularity for years to come.

Whether you're stepping onto the court for competition or just for fun, understanding the layout is your first step to mastering the game.