Padel Court Dimensions and Layout Explained
Understanding padel court dimensions helps players read the game, coaches plan sessions, and facility owners build to specification. Unlike tennis, padel is played in an enclosed court where walls are integral to gameplay — and those wall dimensions, materials, and angles matter as much as the surface itself. Here's everything you need to know about padel court specifications.
Standard Padel Court Dimensions
A regulation padel court measures:
- Length: 20 meters (65.6 feet)
- Width: 10 meters (32.8 feet)
- Total playing area: 200 square meters (2,153 sq ft)
- Enclosed area (with structure): Typically 21 × 11 meters including the frame
These dimensions are standardized by the International Padel Federation (FIP) and the World Padel Tour and apply uniformly to both recreational and professional facilities. There are no variation tiers for court size the way there are for some racket sports.
Court Zones and Lines
Service Box
The court is divided at the net and then further divided by service lines 6.95 meters from the back wall on each side, creating two service boxes per team's half. Each service box measures 5 meters wide × 6.95 meters deep. The middle service line runs parallel to the side walls, splitting the two boxes.
The Net
- Net height at center: 88 centimeters (34.6 inches)
- Net height at posts: 92 centimeters (36.2 inches)
- Net width: spans the full 10-meter court width
- Net material: Mesh with maximum 4 cm × 4 cm aperture
Service Line Markings
The only lines on the court are:
- The center line (short line, perpendicular to net, dividing service boxes)
- The service lines (parallel to net at 6.95 m from back wall)
There are no baseline or sideline markings visible on the floor — the walls define the boundaries.
Wall Specifications
The walls are the defining feature of a padel court and have precise specifications:
Back Walls (Fondos)
- Height: 3 meters (9.8 feet) for the solid lower section
- Material: Solid glass (tempered safety glass) or solid concrete/brick covered with a smooth surface
- Above 3 meters: Wire mesh fencing continuing to overall court height of 4 meters
- Total back wall height: 4 meters (13.1 feet)
Side Walls (Laterales)
Side walls have a mixed construction per the FIP specification:
- The first 3 meters from the back wall on each side: solid glass panel, 3 meters high
- The remaining 7 meters toward the net: wire mesh fence, 3 meters high
This creates the characteristic padel court visual — glass panels at corners, mesh in the mid-section and upper areas.
Glass Standards
All glass must be tempered (safety glass) to a minimum thickness of 10–12 mm. Laminated glass is increasingly used for greater impact resistance. Glass panels must be smooth, transparent, and free of defects that would affect ball bounce consistency.
Surface Types
Court surfaces affect bounce, traction, and durability. The main options are:
Artificial Grass (Most Common)
Short-pile synthetic turf infilled with sand is the dominant surface globally and required for World Padel Tour events. It provides excellent traction, consistent ball bounce, and knee-friendly cushioning. The sand infill is critical — court owners must maintain infill depth or bounce characteristics degrade.
Concrete
Rare in modern facilities but found in older courts. Hard, durable, and low maintenance but less forgiving on joints and provides a faster, lower bounce than grass.
Porous Asphalt
Used at some outdoor facilities for weather drainage. Harder than grass but cheaper to install than glass-enclosed grass courts for entry-level facilities.
Lighting Requirements
Professional padel courts require:
- Minimum illuminance: 500 lux for recreational; 750–1000 lux for competition
- Uniformity ratio: Maximum 1.5:1 (brightest to dimmest point)
- Light placement: 4–6 poles positioned outside the court perimeter to minimize glare and shadow within the play area
- Color temperature: 4000–5000K (neutral to cool white) for best ball visibility
LED lighting systems have become standard for new installations due to energy efficiency and superior uniformity. Older courts with metal halide or sodium vapor lighting often have uneven illumination that affects play quality.
Padel Court vs. Tennis Court: Key Differences
| Specification | Padel Court | Tennis Court (Singles) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 20 m (65.6 ft) | 23.77 m (78 ft) |
| Width | 10 m (32.8 ft) | 8.23 m (27 ft) |
| Area | 200 m² | 195.6 m² |
| Net Height (center) | 88 cm (34.6 in) | 91.4 cm (36 in) |
| Walls | Required (glass + mesh) | None |
| Surface | Artificial grass | Hard, clay, or grass |
Despite similar total areas, padel courts feel larger in play due to the ability to use walls as playable surfaces. The enclosed structure also significantly reduces wind interference, making padel more consistent in outdoor settings than tennis.
Finding a Padel Court Near You
Use our padel court finder to locate facilities near you. Listings include court surface type, indoor vs. outdoor, and whether the facility offers equipment rental. Also check our padel equipment guide and padel rules guide before your first session.
Frequently Asked Questions About Padel Court Dimensions
What are the official dimensions of a padel court?
A regulation padel court measures 20 meters long by 10 meters wide (65.6 ft × 32.8 ft), giving a total playing surface of 200 square meters. The overall enclosed structure including the frame is typically 21 × 11 meters. These dimensions are set by the International Padel Federation and are the same for recreational and professional play worldwide.
How high are the walls on a padel court?
Back walls on a padel court are 4 meters (13.1 feet) total — a solid glass or concrete section 3 meters high topped by 1 meter of wire mesh fencing. Side walls are 3 meters high throughout, using glass panels in the corners nearest the back wall and wire mesh for the remaining section toward the net.
Is a padel court the same size as a tennis court?
No. A padel court (20 × 10 m) is shorter and wider than a singles tennis court (23.77 × 8.23 m). The total areas are similar — about 200 m² for padel vs. 195 m² for tennis singles — but padel courts are always played as doubles, making the effective space per player much smaller. The enclosed walls fundamentally change the geometry and game strategy.
What surface is a padel court made of?
Most modern padel courts use artificial grass (synthetic turf) with a sand infill, which is the surface required for professional World Padel Tour events. Some older or budget facilities use concrete or porous asphalt. Artificial grass provides the best combination of traction, consistent bounce, and joint comfort for players.
How much space do you need to build a padel court?
A single padel court structure requires approximately 21 × 11 meters (231 m²) for the enclosed playing area. Add a recommended 3-meter safety buffer around the structure for spectator walkways and equipment access, bringing the total land footprint to roughly 27 × 17 meters (459 m²) per court. Multi-court installations often share perimeter space to reduce the per-court land requirement.