Pickleball Basics · 1 of 10
The Court
Know the layout, play with confidence!
Playing Area Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone) Boundary Lines
What is the Court?
A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long — about a quarter of a tennis court, which is why the game feels fast and close.
The colored area inside the white lines is where the ball is in play. The red zone by the net is the kitchen (its real name is the non-volley zone), a 7-foot strip on each side of the net with its own special rule — page 5 is all about it.
The net stands 36 inches high at the sides and dips to 34 inches in the center.
Key Areas
- ✓Playing area — the blue surface inside the lines
- ✓Kitchen (non-volley zone) — the 7-foot zone by the net
- ✓Boundary lines — a ball landing on a line is in
- ✓Service boxes — the two boxes behind the kitchen on each side, where serves must land
Quick Facts
- ✓Court size: 20 ft × 44 ft (6.1 m × 13.4 m)
- ✓Kitchen zone: 7 ft (2.1 m) on each side of the net
- ✓Net height: 36 in (91 cm) at sidelines, 34 in (86 cm) at center
Curious what level you'd be?
Answer 12 quick questions and get your level (2.5 to 5.0), your weakest shot, and a plan built around both. Free, about two minutes.