A standard pickleball court is 20 by 44 feet, which equals 880 square feet.
If you want more than a quick number, you’re in the right place. I’ve planned and lined dozens of courts, from driveways to full complexes. In this guide, we’ll unpack how many square feet is a pickleball court, what space you really need, and how to fit one in the space you have. You’ll get clear numbers, pro tips, and simple layouts you can use today.
Official court size in square feet
The official pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. That equals 880 square feet for the painted playing surface. If you came here asking how many square feet is a pickleball court, that is the standard answer.
For real play, you also need room to move. The most common recommended total play area is 30 by 60 feet. That is 1,800 square feet and works well for most parks and schools. For events or higher play, many builders prefer 34 by 64 feet. That is 2,176 square feet and allows safer run-offs and better sight lines.
These sizes match guidance used by USA Pickleball and sport builders. The 880-square-foot court stays the same indoors or outdoors. The extra room is your safety buffer and comfort zone.
Dimensions breakdown: lines and key zones
It helps to see how the 880 square feet is built. The court has clear parts that add up like puzzle pieces.
- Non-volley zone (the kitchen): It is 7 feet from the net on each side. The full kitchen area is 14 by 20 feet. That equals 280 square feet.
- Service boxes: From the kitchen line to the baseline is 15 feet. The centerline splits the width into two 10-foot boxes. Each service box is 10 by 15 feet, or 150 square feet. There are four boxes total, which equals 600 square feet.
- Lines: Standard line width is 2 inches. The line area is small and part of the 880 square feet.
When people search how many square feet is a pickleball court, they often want to plan paint and tape. Knowing each zone helps you order the right amount of material and avoid waste.
Indoor vs outdoor court footprint
Indoors, you may tape lines on a gym floor. Outdoors, you usually paint on asphalt or post-tension concrete. In both cases, the court is still 880 square feet.
The big change is the safety space. Indoors, try to get 30 by 60 feet. This gives room behind the baselines and along the sides. Outdoors, aim for 34 by 64 feet if you can. You will feel the difference on lobs and wide dinks.
If you run a league and wonder how many square feet is a pickleball court in a gym, plan for 1,800 square feet per court. That count keeps players safe and keeps play smooth.
Space needed around the court
Good clearances make play safer and more fun. Here is what I use when laying out new courts.
- Side clearance: 5 to 10 feet on each sideline. Ten feet feels great if you have it.
- Baseline clearance: 8 to 15 feet behind each baseline. More is better for lobs and defense.
- Fencing: 8 to 10 feet high works for most sites. Windscreens help in breezy areas.
- Lighting: For rec play, 30 to 50 foot-candles on the surface is common. Use shielded fixtures to cut glare.
- Access: Leave room for benches and bags outside play lines. Keep gates wide and smooth for wheelchairs and carts.
If a client asks how many square feet is a pickleball court with safe space, I say 1,800 to 2,176 square feet per court. That covers the 880-square-foot court and the buffer.
Converting existing spaces: tennis, basketball, and driveways
You can fit a lot of pickleball in spaces you already have. Here is what works in real life.
- Tennis court (60 by 120 feet): You can fit two to four pickleball courts. Four courts is popular in clubs with shared aisles. Two courts gives larger buffers.
- Basketball court (50 by 94 feet): Two pickleball courts fit well with smart layout. Use cross-court lines to reduce glare from existing markings.
- Volleyball court (30 by 60 feet): That is the exact recommended total area for one court. It is a simple one-to-one conversion with tape or paint.
- Driveways and cul-de-sacs: A two-car driveway is often 20 by 20 feet, which is too small for a full court. It is perfect for kitchen drills, serves, and target work.
When planning, start with the question how many square feet is a pickleball court. Then check if your site can give the extra space for safety and comfort.
Cost and materials per square foot
Budgets vary by region and site. Still, square footage helps you plan.
- New outdoor court build: Many projects fall between $25,000 and $60,000 for a single court with fencing. If you use the 1,800-square-foot area, that can range from roughly $14 to $33 per square foot. Soil work, drainage, and lighting can raise costs.
- Surfacing and coatings: Acrylic sport coatings often run $3 to $7 per square foot for prep and color on an existing slab.
- Fencing: Chain link with gates often runs $25 to $60 per linear foot, depending on height and windscreen.
- Nets and posts: Budget $300 to $800 for quality gear. Portable nets cost less but need storage space.
- Lighting: A basic two- to four-pole LED setup can run $4,000 to $12,000 per court.
If you ask a builder how many square feet is a pickleball court to price it, they will use both the 880 square feet for the court and the full 1,800 to 2,176 square feet for site work.
Layout tips and mistakes to avoid
I have made the mistakes so you do not have to. These tips save time and headache.
- Orient north–south if you can. This keeps sun out of eyes at most hours.
- Ensure drainage. A gentle slope of about 1 percent protects your surface.
- Use good contrast colors. A clear kitchen color boosts footwork and line calls.
- Respect buffers. Tight space is the top reason for rolled ankles and crashes.
- Choose the right tape indoors. Low-residue tape saves your gym floor and your budget.
- Plan access. Keep at least one gate wide for maintenance and wheelchairs.
A common question is how many square feet is a pickleball court with all the extras. My answer is the court is 880 square feet, but the best layout plans for about 1,800 to 2,176 square feet per court to keep people safe.
Frequently Asked Questions of how many square feet is a pickleball court
How many square feet is a pickleball court without extra space?
The court lines enclose 20 by 44 feet, which equals 880 square feet. That is the same indoors and outdoors.
How many square feet is a pickleball court including safety space?
Most builders use 30 by 60 feet, or 1,800 square feet. Premium sites use 34 by 64 feet, or 2,176 square feet.
Can I fit a pickleball court in my backyard?
Measure your open rectangle and check for 30 by 60 feet. You can still build a playable court with less, but leave as much buffer as you can.
How many pickleball courts fit on one tennis court?
You can fit four courts with shared aisles on a 60 by 120 foot tennis court. Some sites choose two courts to get larger run-offs.
What is the size of the non-volley zone in square feet?
The kitchen is 7 feet from the net on each side, so 14 by 20 feet total. That equals 280 square feet.
Is the answer to how many square feet is a pickleball court the same for indoor courts?
Yes, the 880 square feet does not change. What changes is the safety space you can provide.
How many square feet is a pickleball court if I only tape lines on a gym floor?
The taped court is still 880 square feet. Try to set up in a 30 by 60 foot zone to keep play safe.
Conclusion
Now you know how many square feet is a pickleball court and what space you need around it. The court itself is 880 square feet, and the sweet spot for total play area is 1,800 to 2,176 square feet. That space lets you move, compete, and stay safe.
Ready to plan your court? Grab a tape measure, sketch your layout, and choose the space that fits your goals. Want more guides like this? Subscribe, share this with a pickleball friend, or leave a comment with your site size and I will help you map it out.