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Padel court dimensions and sizing guide
Padel is a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, played on an enclosed court with walls. Knowing the right dimensions and sizing is important for building or playing on an official court. This guide explains the official size in both feet and meters. It also compares padel courts to pickleball and tennis courts.
Padel court dimensions in feet
A standard padel court measures 66 feet long and 33 feet wide, creating a rectangular playing area. The court is enclosed by glass and mesh walls, which are integral to the game. The service boxes are located within this area, and the net divides the court into two equal halves of 33 feet by 33 feet.
The surrounding walls also play a crucial role in padel, allowing for strategic rebounds and extended rallies. The back wall is typically 10 feet high, while the side walls gradually decrease in height toward the net.
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Padel court dimensions in meters
For those using the metric system, a padel court size is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide. These measurements are consistent across all professional and amateur padel courts worldwide. The net stands at a maximum height of 0.88 meters (34.6 inches) at the center and 0.92 meters (36.2 inches) at the posts.
The back walls measure 3 meters (9.8 feet) in height, while the side walls transition from 3 meters to 2 meters (6.6 feet) as they move toward the net. This unique wall structure makes padel different from other racket sports.
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What is the height of a padel court?
The height of a padel court varies depending on the structure of the enclosure. The playing area is typically surrounded by walls with a height of 3 meters (9.8 feet) at the back and 2 meters (6.6 feet) on the sides. However, some courts have taller enclosures, reaching up to 4 meters (13.1 feet), to prevent the ball from leaving the court.
Indoor padel courts usually need very high ceilings, around 6 meters (19.7 feet) or more. This extra height allows players to hit high lobs without any trouble. A high ceiling also makes the game more enjoyable by giving players enough space to move and play freely.
Padel vs. pickleball court dimensions
Many people compare padel to pickleball, but the court dimensions differ significantly. A standard pickleball court measures 44 feet long and 20 feet wide, making it much smaller than a padel court size. Also, pickleball doesn’t use walls, but walls are a big part of padel.
In terms of height, pickleball nets are set at 34 inches (0.86 meters) in the center, which is slightly lower than a padel net. Since pickleball courts do not require high enclosures, they have fewer space constraints compared to padel.
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Padel vs. tennis court dimensions
A traditional tennis court is 78 feet long and 36 feet wide for doubles play, which is significantly larger than a padel tennis court size. This difference means that padel courts can fit into smaller spaces, making the sport more accessible in urban areas.
In tennis, the ball is out of play if it goes outside the court. But in padel, the ball can bounce off the walls and stay in play. This leads to longer rallies and allows for unique strategies. The net height in tennis is 3 feet (0.91 meters) at the center, slightly lower than in padel.
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In conclusion, knowing the official padel court size helps players and facility owners follow the rules. When comparing padel to pickleball or tennis, understanding these measurements shows what makes padel unique.
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