Padel Court Dimensions: Complete Size Guide (IPF Official)
Whether you’re planning a padel court installation, checking if your site is large enough, or simply want to understand the specifications — this guide covers everything you need to know about padel court dimensions.
All measurements follow International Padel Federation (IPF) standards.
Standard Padel Court Dimensions at a Glance
IPF Standard Padel Court
| Length | 20 metres |
| Width | 10 metres |
| Playing area | 200 m² |
| Minimum height | 6 metres (above playing area) |
| Net height (centre) | 0.88 metres |
| Net height (posts) | 0.92 metres |
Source: IPF (International Padel Federation) Technical Regulations
Detailed Court Dimensions
Overall Court Size
| Dimension | Measurement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total length | 20.00m | End wall to end wall |
| Total width | 10.00m | Side wall to side wall |
| Tolerance | ±0.5% | Maximum permitted deviation |
Court Lines
| Line | Position | Width |
|---|---|---|
| Service line | 3.00m from net, parallel | 5cm |
| Centre service line | Perpendicular to net, bisects service boxes | 5cm |
| Baseline | At the back wall | 5cm |
| All lines | White or light-coloured | 5cm |
Net Specifications
| Specification | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Net height at centre | 0.88m (88cm) |
| Net height at posts | 0.92m (92cm) |
| Net length | 10.00m (full width of court) |
| Net post positions | 0.00m from side wall (on the wall or integrated) |
| Mesh size | Maximum 4.5cm × 4.5cm |
Walls and Glass
| Element | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| End walls (back) | 3.00m minimum | Solid wall or full glass depending on model |
| Side walls (lower section) | 1.00m from ground | Solid or glass |
| Side walls (upper section) | 2.00m above lower section | Mesh or glass depending on model |
| Total side wall height | 3.00m | |
| Glass specification (standard) | 10mm tempered | IPF compliant |
| Glass specification (panoramic) | 12mm tempered | IPF compliant (Elite Court) |
Minimum Overhead Clearance
The IPF requires a minimum overhead clearance of 6 metres above the playing surface. This is critical for indoor courts — standard ceiling heights in sports halls may not be sufficient without modification.
| Court type | Minimum overhead clearance |
|---|---|
| Outdoor court | No restriction (open sky) |
| Indoor court | 6.00m minimum above playing surface |
| Court under canopy | 6.00m minimum at lowest point of canopy |
Space Planning: How Much Land Do You Need?
The court itself is 20m × 10m, but you need additional clearance for construction access, structural elements, and safe use of the facility.
| Requirement | Recommended minimum |
|---|---|
| Clearance behind each end wall | 2.0m |
| Clearance alongside each side wall | 2.0m |
| Total site area (single court) | ~24m × 14m (336m²) |
| Separation between 2 courts (side by side) | 2.0m minimum between structures |
| Total site area (2 courts side by side) | ~24m × 26m (624m²) |
These are minimum recommendations. More clearance is better — particularly behind the end walls where players run off the court and access the gate. Adequate space also makes maintenance and emergency access easier.
Is a Half-Size Padel Court Possible?
A reduced-size padel court (sometimes called “padel kid” or junior padel) exists, typically 10m × 6m, and is used for youth coaching programmes and beginner development. It is not IPF-compliant for adult competition use.
For adult play and competition, the full 20m × 10m dimension is required.
How Does Padel Court Size Compare to Tennis?
| Sport | Court dimensions | Total area |
|---|---|---|
| Padel | 20m × 10m | 200m² |
| Tennis (singles) | 23.77m × 8.23m | 196m² |
| Tennis (doubles) | 23.77m × 10.97m | 261m² |
| Pickleball | 13.41m × 6.10m | 82m² |
A padel court is similar in total area to a singles tennis court — which is why many tennis clubs can convert or add padel courts within their existing site footprint.
FAQ
What are the official IPF padel court dimensions?
The official IPF padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, giving a 200m² playing area. The net is 0.88m high at the centre and 0.92m at the posts. Walls are 3m high.
How much space do I need to build a padel court?
The court itself is 20m × 10m, but you need approximately 24m × 14m of total site space to allow for structural elements, clearance and safe access around the court.
Can a padel court fit in a standard sports hall?
It depends on the hall dimensions and ceiling height. You need at least 20m × 10m of floor space and 6m of overhead clearance. Many standard sports halls are wide enough but may need ceiling height verification.
Is a padel court the same size as a tennis court?
Similar but not identical. A padel court (200m²) is close in area to a singles tennis court (196m²), but shorter and wider. Doubles tennis (261m²) is larger than padel.
Ready to Check If Your Site Can Fit a Padel Court? Send us your site measurements or photos and we’ll give you a quick assessment — at no cost.
Related: our court models · planning permission