Backyard Pickleball: Court Dimensions and How to Set One Up
Quick answer: A pickleball court is 20 × 44 feet with the net 36 inches at the posts and 34 inches at the centre. For a comfortable backyard or driveway court you want closer to 30 × 60 feet of total space so you have room to run the ball down.
Home courts are the fastest-growing corner of the sport, mostly because the footprint is genuinely small — about a quarter of a tennis court. Here is what you actually need.
The dimensions
| Element | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Full court (doubles and singles) | 20 × 44 ft |
| Non-volley zone (kitchen) | 7 ft from net, each side |
| Service boxes | 10 × 15 ft each |
| Net height at posts | 36 in |
| Net height at centre | 34 in |
| Recommended total space | ~30 × 60 ft |
That last row is the one people skip. You can squeeze a court into exactly 20 × 44, but with no run-off every ball near the baseline ends in a fence or a flowerbed.
What you need to build one
- A flat, hard surface — driveway, patio, sport tile, or a resurfaced slab. Grass does not work; the ball will not bounce.
- A portable net — the standard home solution, typically $100–200. Look for one that tensions properly, since a saggy net changes the game.
- Lines — outdoor court tape or chalk if you want it temporary, court paint if permanent. Tape is the sane starting point.
- Paddles and outdoor balls — outdoor balls specifically; see indoor vs outdoor balls.
Two things worth knowing before you build
Noise is real. The paddle-on-ball pop carries, and it is the number-one source of neighbour complaints about home courts. If your court would sit close to a property line, talk to your neighbours before you paint anything, and consider playing with indoor balls, which are noticeably quieter.
Check local rules. Permanent courts, fencing and lighting can run into HOA rules, setback requirements or permits depending on where you live. A taped driveway court with a portable net avoids nearly all of that.
The cheapest version that actually works
A driveway, a $120 portable net, a roll of court tape and a two-paddle set with balls. That is a functioning court for roughly $200 all-in — our cost breakdown covers the rest of the gear, and The Court Set ($59) handles the paddles and balls in one box. If you would rather not build anything yet, our guide to finding courts near you is the free option.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a pickleball court?
20 feet wide by 44 feet long, with a 7-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net. The net is 36 inches high at the posts and 34 inches at the centre.
How much space do you need for a backyard pickleball court?
The court itself is 20 × 44 ft, but around 30 × 60 ft of total space is recommended so players have room to chase balls behind the baseline and outside the sidelines.
Can you play pickleball on a driveway?
Yes — a flat driveway with a portable net and taped or chalked lines is the most common home setup. You need a hard surface; the ball will not bounce properly on grass.
Court's ready — now the paddles. The Court Set. Play hard. Land soft.
Play and recover — from one place.
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