How Big Is a Padel Court? Dimensions, Layout and Net Height

Jun 21, 202610 min read

Padel court dimensions featured image with court layout and measuring tools

A standard padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, measured from the inside of the enclosure. The net is 10 metres wide, 0.88 metres high at the centre and 0.92 metres high at the ends.

That quick answer solves the basic search. The useful answer is slightly bigger: service lines, wall height, overhead clearance and side access all affect how a court plays, how a venue is planned and why padel feels so different from tennis.

This guide breaks down the official padel court dimensions, shows the layout visually, explains the net height, and gives a practical UK venue checklist without burying you in construction jargon.

Updated August 2026. Competition and venue requirements can change, so formal builds should be checked against the latest FIP and UK guidance.

A dimension map showing the official 20m by 10m internal padel court layout, net line, service lines and central service line.

Quick Answer: Padel Court Dimensions

A standard padel court measures 20m long by 10m wide internally. The court is split by a 10m net. Service lines sit 6.95m from the net on both sides, all court lines are 5cm wide, and the net is 0.88m high at the centre and 0.92m at the ends.

Why the 20m x 10m Number Matters

Padel is compact on purpose. The court is smaller than a tennis court, enclosed by rebound walls and designed around doubles movement. The tight dimensions make the game social and fast, but they also punish poor positioning.

For players, 20m x 10m means you are never far from the ball. You cannot rely on huge recovery space. Good padel is built on early reading, smart depth, soft hands and controlled movement.

For venues, the same number is only the internal playing box. A real installation also needs structure, access, safety space, lighting, drainage and maintenance allowance.

Padel Court Layout: What Goes Where

The court is divided in half by the net, creating two 10m x 10m halves. On each side, the service line runs parallel to the net at 6.95m. A central service line splits the area between the service line and the net into two receiving boxes.

The central service line extends at least 20cm beyond the service line. All lines are 5cm wide and should contrast clearly with the playing surface. That may sound like a small detail, but line visibility matters when players are reading fast low balls near the service box.

Practical read: if you remember one layout rule, remember that each half is 10m deep, with the service line 6.95m from the net. That explains most serve, return and positioning decisions.

Padel Net Height: Centre, Ends and Width

The padel net runs across the full 10m width of the court. It is 0.88m high at the centre and rises to 0.92m at the ends. That small dip helps create a playable crossing height while still making poor low-margin shots risky.

For beginners, this means the safest attacking lane is not always the hardest one. Controlled balls through the middle can be effective because the centre is fractionally lower and often creates communication pressure between opponents.

The net should fill the space between the posts and the court surface without leaving gaps at the sides. In formal settings, net posts, tensioning and top strip details also matter because loose or unsafe net hardware can affect play and player safety.

A net height guide showing the official 0.88m centre height, 0.92m end height, 10m net width and overhead clearance note.

How High Are Padel Court Walls?

Padel courts are enclosed because the walls are part of the game. The ends are typically built to a total height of 4m: the first 3m is a rebound wall area, which may be transparent or solid, and the upper 1m is metallic fence.

The side enclosure has regulation variations, combining wall and mesh areas. The important playing point is simple: glass or wall sections give a cleaner rebound, while mesh creates less predictable contact.

This is why a deep shot into the back glass can be defended, while a ball that catches mesh may die awkwardly. The dimensions shape the tactics.

Minimum Overhead Clearance

FIP rules state a minimum free height of 6m throughout the court with no obstruction. For new facilities, 8m free height is suggested. This matters because lobs are a core padel shot, not an emergency option.

If the roof, lighting or support structure sits too low, the court can feel cramped and tactical variety drops. A good court should let players use high lobs, defensive resets and overhead transitions without constantly hitting obstructions.

How Much Space Do You Need Beyond the Court?

If you are only trying to understand the sport, the answer is 20m x 10m. If you are planning a venue, that is not enough. You need to consider the enclosure footprint, access openings, safe circulation and any out-of-court play area.

LTA Padel guidance says multiple courts should have a 1.5m gap between each court, excluding any outer play area. FIP rules also define obstacle-free space for authorised out-of-court play: no less than 3m wide, 4m long and 3m high on either side, with 4m width recommended.

Most casual players will not need to calculate these numbers. Venue owners, schools, clubs and leisure operators do.

A space checklist showing the practical difference between the 20m by 10m court size and the wider venue planning numbers.

Padel Court Size Compared With Tennis

A tennis court is longer and, for doubles, slightly wider than a padel court. But the bigger difference is not just size. Tennis is played in an open rectangle. Padel is played in an enclosed rectangle where the walls extend rallies.

That is why padel can feel easier to start but harder to master. You have less distance to cover, but the ball can come back from the glass. Positioning is more important than sprinting in straight lines.

What the Dimensions Mean for Beginners

The court size tells you how to move. Stay compact with your partner rather than drifting into a tennis-style singles pattern. When you attack, move forward together. When you defend, use the back third and learn the glass instead of rushing every deep ball.

Because the court is only 10m wide, the middle is valuable. Many beginner pairs leave a gap between them, then lose points to simple balls through the centre. The dimensions reward pairs who move as a unit.

Because each half is 10m deep, depth control matters. A shot landing too short gives opponents an easy volley. A shot landing deep can bring the glass into play and make the return harder.

Buying Kit Based on Court Reality

A padel court is compact, but the movement is sharp. You turn, brake, rotate and defend off glass. That is why control, grip comfort and footwear matter more than raw racket power for most new players.

If you are building a setup for regular play, compare padel rackets, browse padel accessories, add racket overgrips for secure handling, or view the wider racquet sports range.

Common Dimension Mistakes

Measuring the outside instead of the inside: official court dimensions refer to internal measurements.
Forgetting overhead space: padel needs lobs, so ceiling clearance is not optional.
Assuming 20m x 10m is the whole venue footprint: access, structure and circulation add more space.
Ignoring wall height: the enclosure is part of the game, not just a fence.
Using tennis instincts: padel dimensions reward paired movement and wall awareness.

Official Sources Worth Checking

The FIP Rules of Padel 2026 PDF sets out the formal court, net, enclosure, access and safety-area requirements. For UK venue planning context, the LTA Padel construction guide explains court size, structure and multi-court spacing in Great Britain.

Bottom Line

A padel court is 20m x 10m internally, with a 10m net that is 0.88m high in the centre and 0.92m at the ends. Those numbers are the skeleton of the game.

The real value is knowing what they mean: compact doubles movement, tactical use of the walls, careful net height, enough overhead space and a venue footprint that goes beyond the playing rectangle.