The kitchen in pickleball is 7 feet from the net on each side.
If you want to master rallies and avoid faults, you need to know this space well. In this guide, I’ll break down how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball, why it matters, and how to use it to win more points. I coach new and seasoned players, and I’ll share simple tips, clear rules, and real examples you can use today.
What is the kitchen in pickleball?
The kitchen is the non-volley zone at the front of the court. You cannot hit a volley while standing in it or touching its line. You can step in to play a ball that bounces, then step out to volley again.
This zone keeps the net game fair. It stops players from smashing every ball from right on top of the net. When a match feels smooth and tactical, thank the kitchen.
Exact dimensions: how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball?
Here is the clear answer. The kitchen is 7 feet deep from the net on each side of the court. It runs the full 20-foot width of the court. The kitchen line is part of the kitchen.
So, how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball across both sides combined? That span is 14 feet total, net to far edge on the other side. Each team guards a 7-foot zone near the net.
Extra facts that help:
- Court size is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long.
- From the kitchen line to the baseline is 15 feet.
- Each service box is 10 feet wide by 15 feet deep.
- One side’s kitchen area is 7 by 20 feet, or 140 square feet.
If you ever forget how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball, think 7 up front, 15 behind, and you are set.
Why the kitchen matters for strategy and safety
The kitchen shapes every point. It changes how you move, how you aim, and when you attack.
- It keeps net play honest. You cannot camp on the net and hammer volleys.
- It rewards soft hands. Dinks and drops at 7 feet test control, not brute force.
- It lowers injury risk. Less lunging and fewer wild swings in tight space.
When players ask how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball, they usually want more than a number. They want to know how that space affects choices. The answer is simple: it drives your plan for every shot near the net.
Personal tip: I coach players to “own the line.” Stand just outside the kitchen line with knees bent. From there, you can reach short balls without stepping in during volleys.
Kitchen rules you must know
These are the non-volley zone rules based on the official rulebook. Knowing them saves easy points.
- No volley while touching the kitchen. If any part of your body or paddle touches the kitchen or the kitchen line during a volley, it is a fault.
- Momentum counts. If you volley and your momentum carries you into the kitchen, it is a fault, even after the ball is dead.
- You can enter to play a bounce. If the ball bounces in the kitchen, you may step in, hit it, then step back out.
- The line is the kitchen. If your toe is on the line during a volley, that is a foot fault.
- Re-establish outside. After a volley, you must fully regain balance outside the kitchen before the next volley.
A quick way to remember how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball and why it matters: it is 7 feet of “no-volley” space that changes when you can attack.
How to measure and tape the kitchen at home
Setting up a court in your driveway or a gym? Here is a clear way to mark the kitchen.
- Measure the court. Mark a 20-foot width and 44-foot length.
- Find the net line. Place your net at the 22-foot line, halfway.
- Mark 7 feet from the net. Use a tape measure and make a small mark at 7 feet from the net on both sides, at several points.
- Snap the kitchen line. Connect the 7-foot marks across the full 20-foot width. Use chalk, painter’s tape, or court tape.
- Make the lines 2 inches wide. The line counts as part of the kitchen.
- Double-check square. Use a carpenter’s square or measure diagonals to keep lines straight.
If a friend asks how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball while you set up, say 7 feet from the net, then point to your fresh line. That anchors the rest of your layout.
Drills and tips to master play at the kitchen
To win more points, get comfy near the 7-foot line. Try these simple drills.
- Dink ladder. Stand at the kitchen line. Drop the ball softly cross-court, aiming at three targets: near net, mid-court, and deep corner.
- Third-shot drop reps. From the baseline, drop shots that land in the kitchen. Step in behind your drop and stop just outside the line.
- Volley reset. Partner fires medium pace balls. You block them down into the kitchen. Keep your paddle up at chest height.
- Footwork “tap back.” Step into the kitchen to play a bounce, tap the ball short, then step back out fast and reset.
Real-world note: The best players learn to breathe at the line. They know how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball by feel. They play soft first, hard second.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Here are frequent errors I see, plus quick fixes.
- Hovering over the line. You lean in and touch the line during a volley. Fix: Keep your weight on the balls of your feet, not your toes.
- Over-swinging dinks. You pop balls up. Fix: Short backswing, open paddle face, and soft hands.
- Forgetting momentum. You volley and stumble into the kitchen. Fix: Wide base and small recovery steps after contact.
- Poor depth control. Drops land too high. Fix: Aim for the front half of the kitchen.
- Not knowing the size. You forget how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball during play. Fix: Do a quick warm-up drill that uses the line as a visual cue.
Each fix is simple. Practice slow. Build good habits at the 7-foot line.
Frequently Asked Questions of how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball
Is the kitchen 7 feet on both sides of the net?
Yes. The kitchen extends 7 feet from the net on each side. That makes 14 feet total across both sides combined.
Does the kitchen line count as part of the kitchen?
Yes. The line is part of the non-volley zone. If you touch it during a volley, it is a fault.
Can I step into the kitchen after I hit a volley?
No. If your momentum carries you into the kitchen after a volley, it is a fault. You must re-establish fully outside the zone before your next volley.
How wide is the kitchen?
It is 20 feet wide, the full width of the court. The depth is 7 feet from the net.
How do I remember how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball?
Think “7 up front, 15 behind.” Seven feet is the kitchen, and 15 feet is from the kitchen line to the baseline. Say it before you serve to lock it in.
Can I volley if my paddle crosses over the kitchen but my feet are outside?
Yes, as long as you do not touch the kitchen or its line and your momentum does not carry you in. Crossing the plane with the paddle alone is not a fault.
Where should I stand in relation to the kitchen?
Stand just outside the kitchen line with knees bent and paddle up. This spot gives reach and balance without risking a foot fault.
Conclusion
You now know how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball: 7 feet on each side of the net, 20 feet wide, and the line counts. Use that clear picture to move better, avoid faults, and build a smart net game. Practice soft shots first, guard the line, and let the 7-foot zone work for you.
Ready to level up? Try the drills, tape your court right, and share this guide with a friend who asks how many feet is the kitchen in pickleball. Want more tips like this? Subscribe and drop your questions in the comments.