A badminton court is a rectangular area where the sport of badminton is played. It is divided by a net into two halves, each occupied by one or two players.
The court has specific dimensions and markings that regulate the game and affect the players’ strategies and tactics.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive resource on all aspects of badminton court measurements. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, a coach or an official, a court owner or a builder, you will find all the information you need to know about the size, shape, and layout of a badminton court.
Section 1: Standard Badminton Court Dimensions
Subsection: Dimensions in feet
The standard badminton court dimensions are 44 feet long and 20 feet wide for doubles matches. For singles matches, the width is reduced to 17 feet. The court is divided into two equal halves by a net that is 5 feet high at the center and 5 feet 1 inch high at the posts.
The court has several lines that mark the boundaries and service areas. The back boundary line is the outermost line along the length of the court. The side boundary line is the outermost line along the width of the court for doubles matches. The singles sideline is the inner line along the width of the court for singles matches. The center line runs from the back boundary line to the net, dividing each half of the court into two equal parts.
The service line is the line parallel to the net that marks the front boundary of the service area. The service line is 6.5 feet from the net for both singles and doubles matches.
Subsection: Dimensions in meters
The equivalent measurements of a standard badminton court in meters are 13.4 meters long and 6.1 meters wide for doubles matches. For singles matches, the width is reduced to 5.18 meters. The net is 1.524 meters high at the center and 1.55 meters high at the posts.
The service line is 1.98 meters from the net for both singles and doubles matches.
Subsection: Court areas in sq feet and sq meters
The total area of a standard badminton court is 880 sq feet or 81.75 sq meters.
The area of each half of the court is 440 sq feet or 40.88 sq meters.
The area of each service area for both singles and doubles matches is 130 sq feet or 12.08 sq meters.
Section 2: Variations from Standard Court
Subsection: Singles court dimensions
A singles badminton court has narrower dimensions than a doubles court. The width of a singles court is 17 feet or 5.18 meters, which is marked by the singles sideline. The length of a singles court remains the same as a standard court, which is 44 feet or 13.4 meters.
Subsection: Alley dimensions
An alley is the area between the singles sideline and the doubles sideline on each side of the court. An alley is only used for doubles matches and adds an extra 1.5 feet or 0.46 meters to each side of the court (alongside length of 44 feet). The alley can make a significant difference in doubles strategy and tactics, as it creates more space for attacking shots and more angles for defensive shots.
Section 3: Service Areas
The service areas are different for singles and doubles matches. For both singles and doubles matches, the service area extends from the center line to the respective sideline (singles or doubles) and from the service line to the back boundary line.
For doubles matches, there are two service areas on each side of the court: one for serving from right to left and one for serving from left to right. The service area for serving from right to left extends from the center line to the doubles sideline and from the service line to the long service line for doubles. The long service line for doubles is the innermost line along the length of the court that marks the back boundary of the service area for doubles matches.
The long service line for doubles is 2.36 feet or 0.72 meters from the back boundary line. The service area for serving from left to right is the mirror image of the service area for serving from right to left.
Section 4: Additional Court Specifications
Subsection: Net dimensions
The net is one of the most important elements of a badminton court, as it separates the two sides and affects the trajectory and speed of the shuttlecock. The net has specific dimensions and characteristics that must be followed for a regulation game.
The net is 5 feet or 1.524 meters high at the center and 5 feet 1 inch or 1.55 meters high at the posts. The net is 20 feet or 6.1 meters wide, which is the same as the width of the court. The net is made of fine cord of dark color and even thickness, with a mesh of not less than 15 mm and not more than 20 mm.
The net is attached to two vertical posts that are placed on the doubles sideline, regardless of whether the game is singles or doubles. The posts are 1.55 meters high and must be strong enough to keep the net taut. The posts are not more than 0.03 meters in diameter and preferably have grooves on top to prevent the net from slipping.
The net is edged with a white tape that is 3 inches or 0.076 meters wide on the top and 2 inches or 0.05 meters wide on the sides. The tape forms a double fold over a cord or cable that runs through the tape and attaches to the posts.
Subsection: Line widths
The lines that mark the boundaries and service areas of a badminton court have specific widths that must be followed for a regulation game. The lines are made of white material that contrasts with the color of the court surface.
The width of all lines is 1.6 inches or 0.04 meters. The lines are considered part of the area they enclose, which means that a shuttlecock landing on a line is considered in.
Subsection: Clearances around court
The clearances around a badminton court are the minimum distances that must be maintained between the court and any walls, ceilings, or other obstructions. The clearances ensure that players have enough space to move freely and safely, and that shuttlecocks do not hit any objects that could interfere with the game.
The recommended clearances around a badminton court are:
- At least 6 feet or 1.83 meters from the side boundary line to any wall or other obstruction.
- At least 4 feet or 1.22 meters from the back boundary line to any wall or other obstruction.
- At least 20 feet or 6.1 meters from the floor to any ceiling or overhead obstruction.
Section 5: Maintaining Regulation Sizes
To ensure that a badminton court meets the regulation sizes and specifications, it is important to follow some tips for proper court installation and maintenance.
- Use a measuring tape or a laser device to measure the dimensions and markings of the court accurately and precisely.
- Use durable and weather-resistant materials for the court surface, lines, net, posts, and tape.
- Use paint or tape that contrasts with the color of the court surface for the lines.
- Check the net regularly for any tears, holes, or sagging, and replace it if necessary.
- Check the posts regularly for any damage, looseness, or misalignment, and fix them if necessary.
- Check the tape regularly for any fading, peeling, or fraying, and replace it if necessary.
- Clean the court surface regularly to remove any dirt, dust, debris, or stains that could affect the visibility of the lines or the performance of the shuttlecock.
- Avoid placing any objects on or near the court that could pose a hazard or distraction to players.
Some common mistakes that are often made
Building or designing a badminton court requires careful planning and execution
- Inadequate Flooring and Lighting: Some court owners miss the basic requirement of having good badminton flooring and ambient light. It’s crucial to have a wooden sub-structure below the PVC mat to provide the right bounce and grip.
- Uneven Ground: The ground should be plain and not uneven to facilitate easy movement during matches. Any jagged areas on the ground, such as rocks, stones, and pebbles, should be removed.
- Ignoring Wind Flow: If you’re constructing an outdoor badminton court, it’s suitable to construct it adjacent to a building or any structure which might help in avoiding wind flow. The location must be away from trees and other windy objects.
- Incorrect Net Dimensions: The net should be 5 feet high at the center and 5 feet 1 inch high at the posts. It should be made of fine cord of dark color and even thickness, with a mesh of not less than 15 mm and not more than 20 mm.
- Incorrect Net Height: The top of the net should be 1.55 meters high from the surface of the court for doubles and 1.524 meters high for singles
- Incorrect Line Widths: The width of all lines should be 1.6 inches or 0.04 meters, except for the center line, which should be 2 inches or 0.05 meters wide.
- Insufficient Clearances: There should be at least 6 feet or 1.83 meters from the side boundary line to any wall or other obstruction, at least 4 feet or 1.22 meters from the back boundary line to any wall or other obstruction, and at least 20 feet or 6.1 meters from the floor to any ceiling or overhead obstruction.
- Incorrect Court Dimensions: The court dimensions should be accurate and follow the standard measurements to ensure fair play
Conclusion
In this article, we have provided a complete guide to badminton court dimensions, sizes, and specifications in feet and meters. We have covered all aspects of badminton court measurements, including:
- The standard badminton court dimensions for doubles matches.
- The variations from standard court for singles matches.
- The additional court specifications for net dimensions, line widths, and clearances around court.
- The tips for maintaining regulation sizes.
By understanding these measurements and guidelines, you can ensure that your badminton court meets the standards set by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and provides a fair and enjoyable playing experience.