Pickleball is exploding in popularity because it delivers big-arena excitement on a small-arena footprint.
Whether you’re chalking lines on a driveway, converting a tennis complex, or pouring fresh concrete for a multi-court club, every rally begins with the numbers: 20 ft × 44 ft. Miss those figures or the safety zones around them, and you’ll chase shadows, not lobs.
Below is a 1 000-word masterclass that walks you from the baseline to the fence, from net knots to LED lux levels, so your next court plays like a pro venue.
The Non-Negotiable Playing Rectangle
| Element | Imperial | Metric | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total playing lines | 20 ft × 44 ft | 6.10 m × 13.41 m | Identical for singles & doubles |
| Baseline | 20 ft wide | 6.10 m | Runs parallel to the net |
| Sidelines | 44 ft long | 13.41 m | Perpendicular to the net |
| Line width | 2 in | 5 cm | High-contrast colour; white is default |
These four perimeter lines create 880 ft² (81.8 m²) of legal court surface—about one-quarter of a tennis court
Inside the Box: Zones & Markings
1 Net & Centerline
- Net height: 36 in (91.4 cm) at each sideline post, 34 in (86.4 cm) at center strap.
- Centerline bisects the 20-ft width, producing two 10-ft service courts per side.
2 The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)
- Depth: 7 ft (2.13 m) from net into each side.
- Length: spans the full 20-ft width.
- Rule bite: no volley may be struck while any part of the body or paddle is inside this zone or touching its line.
3 Service Courts
Four identical rectangles, each 10 ft wide × 15 ft long (3.05 m × 4.57 m), created by the centerline, sidelines, baseline and kitchen line.
Serves must land diagonally in the opposite box beyond the kitchen line.
Safety Run-Off: The Forgotten Real Estate
Players lunge, back-pedal and follow-through; balls roll under fences. USA Pickleball’s Construction Manual therefore mandates minimum total slab:
- 30 ft × 60 ft (9.14 m × 18.29 m)
– Gives 5 ft beyond each sideline and 8 ft behind each baseline. - Preferred pad:34 ft × 64 ft (10.4 m × 19.5 m)
– Adds another two feet on each side and four feet on ends—enough for the crowd-pleasing ATP (around-the-post) shot without kissing the fence.
For multi-court pods, leave 10 ft (3 m) between adjacent playing lines and use divider curtains or windscreen panels to stop balls rolling into neighbours’ kitchens.
Surface Science
| Type | Typical Build | Speed | Maintenance | Cost Index* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt + acrylic | 4″ asphalt + colour coat | Medium | Reseal every 5 yr | 1.0× |
| Post-tension concrete | Wire-tensioned slab | Fast | Minimal | 1.4× |
| Cushioned acrylic | Above systems + rubber layers | Medium-slow | 4–7 yr recoat | 1.8× |
| Modular tile (indoor) | Interlocking polypropylene | Variable | Sweep & mop | 1.3× |
*Base cost assumes outdoor asphalt court in continental U.S.
Slope & Drainage: 1 % (⅛ in per foot) from net-line to baselines prevents puddling; crown or longitudinal slope ≤ 0.5 %.
Lighting & Orientation
- Poles: 16–20 ft high, 4-corner or 6-pole layout.
- Lux: 30–50 fc (320–540 lux) for recreational; 70 fc (750 lux) for tournament streaming.
- Colour temp: 4000–5000 K; full-cutoff LEDs reduce spill and neighbour complaints.
- Azimuth: North-south axis keeps sunrise/sunset glare out of eyes during prime-time play.
Fencing & Gates
| Spec | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Height | 8–10 ft (2.4–3.0 m) |
| Mesh | 2 in × 2 in (5 cm) vinyl-coated chain-link |
| Distance to baseline | 10 ft preferred; 5 ft absolute minimum |
| Gates | 4-ft wide, corners, latch outward for emergency exit |
Windscreens (20–30 % porosity) kill cross-winds and improve ball visibility; darker colours (navy, forest) give the best contrast against neon pickleballs.
Net Assembly Down to the Bolt
- Width: 22 ft (6.7 m) post-to-post so the 20-ft court fits inside with 1 ft overlap each side.
- Material: 3 mm braided polyethylene, 2¼ in (5.7 cm) square mesh.
- Edge: 2 in white vinyl head-band with centre permanent marker.
- Tension: 40–45 lb (18–20 kg) via ratchet strap; too slack and the ball dribbles over on a block.
Portable nets must weigh ≥ 25 lb (11 kg) and have L-shaped base feet no wider than 8 in beyond sideline to avoid trip hazard.
Line-Taping Like a Pro
Layout Order
- Snap the 20-ft net line first; anchor with chalk at center.
- Measure 22 ft perpendicular to each sideline; plant stakes.
- Run diagonal check: 22² + 20² = 29.73 ft (9.06 m) diagonal; adjust until square.
- Mark kitchen line 7 ft from net on both sides.
- Split baseline with centerline; connect to kitchen line.
Paint or Tape?
- Acrylic paint lasts 3–4 years outdoors; needs primer on concrete.
- Court-tape (PVC, 2 in) is weekend-DIY friendly; peel after tournament if converting a school gym.
Converting Existing Courts
Tennis ➜ Pickleball
- One regulation doubles tennis court (36 × 78 ft playing) swallows four 30 × 60 pickleball pads with 8 ft alleys between.
- Use contrasting colour (maroon, forest, purple) for pickleball lines; temporary nets keep tennis playable.
Basketball ➜ Pickleball
- Place two courts length-wise on a 50 × 94 ft high-school gym; anchor posts into sleeve inserts or use weighted portable nets.
- Add 3 mm rubber roll-out mats to protect hardwood and provide cushioning.
Accessibility & Amenities
- ADA path: 36 in (91 cm) wide, ≤ 5 % slope to gate.
- Spectator buffer: 5 ft minimum behind fence; 10 ft if bleachers.
- Seating: Team benches 6 ft long per court; angle 30° to sun.
- Shade: Pergola or 9-ft umbrella tables every two courts.
- Hydration: Frost-proof fountain + bottle filler; count on ½ gallon per player per hour in 90 °F (32 °C) heat.
Budget Quick-Look (USD, 2025)
| Project Tier | Surface | Fencing | Lighting | Total / Court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY driveway | Tape on asphalt | $0 | $0 | $150 |
| Community pad | Asphalt + acrylic | 8-ft chain-link | 4 LED poles | $18–22 k |
| Tournament venue | Post-tension + cushioned | 10-ft with windscreen | 70 lux live-stream poles | $35–45 k |
Checklist Before You Crack the First Can of Paint
☐ Verify local zoning & HOA setback rules.
☐ Call 811 for utility mark-out.
☐ Grade soil to 98 % Standard Proctor density.
☐ Install 4-in perforated drain tile if clay soil.
☐ Order laser level; tolerance ± ¼ in in 10 ft.
☐ Stake corners, double-diagonal equals within ½ in.
☐ Snap lines, photograph before paint—mistakes love to hide under wet acrylic.
☐ Cure 72 hr before rolling nets; 7 days before league play.
Final Word
A pickleball court is tiny, one-ninth the area of a soccer field, but every inch matters.
Nail the 20 × 44 rectangle, respect the kitchen, give players room to breathe, and the sport repays you with rallies that sound like machine-gun fire and points that end with a grin.
Build it right the first time; your future self (and every aching knee in the club) will thank you.
Now grab the chalk, the tape, or the concrete truck and play by the numbers.