Padel court dimensions and how much space you need
The official measurements in meters and feet, plus the footprint you really need on site before anyone pours concrete.
A padel court’s playing area is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide, about 66 by 33 feet. Allow roughly 21 by 11 meters (about 69 by 36 feet) of flat, level ground for the full structure, and more if you want walkways, seating or room for maintenance access.
Official padel court measurements
| Element | Metric | Imperial (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Playing area | 20 m x 10 m | 65.6 ft x 32.8 ft |
| Net height at center | 0.88 m | 2 ft 10.6 in |
| Net height at posts | 0.92 m | 3 ft 0.2 in |
| Back wall total height | 4 m (glass plus mesh above) | 13.1 ft |
| Service line distance from net | 6.95 m | 22.8 ft |
The court is split by the net into two halves of 10 by 10 meters. Each half has a service line and a center line that divides the service area into two boxes.
How much space you really need
The 20 by 10 meter figure is the inside of the enclosure. The steel frame and walls sit just outside it, so the structure itself needs a little more room. A practical minimum is about 21 by 11 meters of flat ground.
On top of that, think about:
- Access: a clear path to the doors and room for a small machine to reach the court for maintenance.
- Lighting: poles usually sit outside the enclosure, so leave space for them.
- Drainage: outdoor slabs need a slight fall and somewhere for water to go.
- Setbacks: your town may require the court to sit a set distance from property lines.
Indoor clearance
Lobs are a big part of padel, so height matters indoors. Six meters (about 20 feet) of clear height over the court is the usual minimum, and eight meters (about 26 feet) is recommended for new facilities. Beams, ducts and light fixtures all count against that clearance.
Single courts
There is also a narrower singles court at 20 by 6 meters. It’s far less common and rarely used for club or resort builds, but it can work where space is very tight.
Common questions
Is a padel court smaller than a tennis court?
Yes. A padel court is roughly a third the size of a tennis court once you include tennis runoff, which is why several padel courts can often fit in one tennis footprint.
Can I build a smaller court for my yard?
You can, but the game plays very differently on a non-standard court. A singles court (20 by 6 meters) is the main official option for tight sites.
Does the ground need to be perfectly flat?
The finished slab must be very level, with only a slight slope for drainage. Your installer will set the exact tolerance.
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