Padel has become an increasingly popular sport over recent years. In the UK, participation has surged from 15,000 in 2019 to over 400,000 at the end of 2024, according to the LTA.
Padel courts have specific measurements that impact the gameplay. Understanding the dimensions and layout of a padel court is essential for anybody interested in playing the sport (and especially for those responsible for lining the court).
In this blog, we’ll cover the exact dimensions of a padel court, wall height, net height, and the unique elements that define a standard padel court.
How big is a padel court?
A standard padel court measures 20 meters in length and 10 meters in width. The padel court size in feet works out at around 65 feet in length and 32 feet in width.
With these measurements, dynamic and strategic doubles play is much more efficient and enjoyable.
A key point with padel is that, unlike tennis, padel is almost exclusively played as doubles. So the smaller court is designed to accommodate four players while keeping rallies engaging and fast-paced.
Wall enclosure
One of the more unique elements of padel is that the entire court is surrounded by walls that players can use to rebound the ball.
The walls are typically made of glass or a similar material, and they’re key to the gameplay, as players are allowed to bounce the ball off the walls to extend rallies and create more opportunities.
Details of the padel court walls
Back walls
The back glass walls of a padel court are required to be 3 meters (around 9-10 feet) high.
As mentioned, the walls are usually made of glass to allow visibility from outside the court and are part of the gameplay.
Above the glass wall, there is an additional 1-meter mesh fence, making the total height 4 meters.
Side walls
The side walls are also part of the padel court design.
After the 3-meter-high glass ends, the mesh fence continues at 3 meters high along the court’s sides.
This design allows players to use the walls strategically in their shots, similar to that of squash.
Padel court dimensions: Net height and positioning
Net height
The padel court net is slightly lower than a tennis net, measuring 88 cm at the centre and 92 cm at the ends.
The height is essential for the game’s unique gameplay style, allowing for more accessible volleys and smashes over the net.
Net positioning
The net divides the court into two equal halves. Its height and positioning make it ideal for doubles play, as they encourage close-to-the-net interactions and precise shots.
The service boxes and their layout
Service line and boxes
Similar to tennis court markings, padel courts have boxes marked by lines. Each half of the padel court has a centre service line that divides the service area into two rectangular boxes.
The service boxes are crucial for initiating rallies and following padel’s unique serving rules, such as the underhand serve.
The no-volley zone
Unlike pickleball, padel courts do not have a no-volley zone (or “kitchen”), allowing players to approach the net freely for volleys (shots very close to the net without allowing the ball to bounce).
With this design, it keeps gameplay dynamic, as players must be skilled in both groundstrokes and volleys.
Surface and court markings
Court surface
Padel courts typically use artificial turf or a sand-covered material, providing players with sufficient traction.
This surface is gentler on joints and allows for a combination of sliding and quick movements, making it ideal for the intense, rapid pace of padel.
Court markings
The court markings on a padel court are quite similar to those on a tennis court, with lines indicating service areas and the centre line.
The dimensions and layout of these lines adhere to international padel standards set by the International Padel Federation, ensuring consistency across courts.
Why padel court dimensions matter for gameplay
Enhanced rally dynamics
Due to the court being smaller and the walls that enclose the court, longer rallies are encouraged.
This makes padel more strategic than many sports, as players use rebounds and positioning instead of relying on power shots.
Close-range play
The court and dimensions of padel promote playing at close range, making padel a great social sport as players are often in interaction.
Unlike tennis, where the larger court can create more distance, padel’s design keeps players close enough for intense volleys and quick exchanges.
Padel court construction: Key considerations
Space requirements
One of the most important considerations when it comes to assembling a padel court is space.
The court dimensions and the wall enclosures take up a lot of area, so make sure that your space is big enough.
The minimum space requirement should include the court dimensions plus additional area around the perimeter for the possibility of spectators or maintenance.
Materials and costs
Padel courts require specific materials for the walls and surface, as we’ve mentioned above, so the initial setup can be a hefty investment.
Roughly, the average cost in the UK would fall anywhere between £45,000 and £80,000.
Although initially a pricey investment, it can be worthwhile as padel has continued to gain traction over the past couple of years.
A final thought
Understanding padel court dimensions is crucial for anyone interested in the sport and for those tasked with laying out the court markings.
The uniqueness of the court is important to understand because of how it affects gameplay and strategy.
These dimensions make padel accessible yet challenging, which makes it a fun sport to play, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player.