FIP rules and planning dimensions

Padel court dimensions: all official measurements at a glance

Quick answer

A doubles padel court measures 20 × 10 m internally under FIP rules, with a tolerance of ±0.5%. The back walls are 4 m high (3 m glass plus 1 m mesh), while the side walls are 3 to 4 m high. Indoors, the minimum clear height is 6 m, and FIP recommends 8 m for new venues. For plot planning, allow approximately 22 × 12 m per court including the structure and circulation space.

The figures are based on FIP regulations and PadelCompass planning assumptions. All planning and space figures are indicative and not guaranteed. View methodology and sources.


The standard

Doubles court in detail: 20 × 10 m.

The doubles court is the standard. Virtually every commercial venue, club court and tournament uses this format. The dimensions are measured internally between the walls, with a tolerance of ±0.5%.

Playing area
20 × 10 m
Internal dimensions under FIP rules, tolerance ±0.5%.
Net
10 m wide
0.88 m high at the centre and no more than 0.92 m at the posts.
Service lines
6.95 m
Distance from the net on both halves of the court.
Centre service line
2 × 5 m
Divides each service area into two equal-width boxes.
  • straightenLines: The service lines run parallel to the net at a distance of 6.95 m. The centre service line runs perpendicular to them and divides each service area into two service boxes. There are no other lines on a padel court.
  • door_openAccess openings: The access openings are located in the side walls on both sides at net level. Depending on the court model, they are open or fitted with doors.
  • sports_tennisNet: 10 m wide across the full court, 0.88 m high at the centre and no more than 0.92 m at the posts.

Plan view

A scale drawing of the padel court.

Plan view of the 20 × 10 m playing area with the net, service lines and centre service lines. There are no further court markings; the padel layout is deliberately simple.

Net (0.88 m high) Service line Service line Centre service line Centre service line 20 m 10 m 6.95 m

Plan view, scale 30 px per metre. The glass and mesh wall structure lies outside the internal dimensions shown.


The exception

Singles court: 20 × 6 m.

In addition to the doubles court, there is also the 20 × 6 m singles padel court. The length remains the same, but the width is reduced from 10 m to 6 m. It is designed for one-on-one play.

In practice, singles courts are rare. Commercial venues use doubles courts almost exclusively because four paying players per hour provide stronger economics and doubles is the social core of the sport. A singles court is most relevant for private use, when the plot is not wide enough for the full 10 m plus the structure and circulation space. If you are building privately, see our page Private padel court.


The third dimension

Walls and mesh: 3 to 4 m high.

A padel court is an enclosure of glass and steel mesh. Wall heights are standardized because the walls are an active part of play.

Back walls
4 m
3 m of glass below and 1 m of mesh above across the full 10 m width.
Side walls
3 to 4 m
Stepped profile: 4 m near the back wall, reducing to 3 m towards the centre of the court.
Glass
10 to 12 mm
Toughened safety glass; 12 mm is regarded as a robust standard for heavily used venues.

Our buying guide explains what to look for in glass thickness, steel frames and workmanship: Buying a padel court.


Indoor

Clear indoor height: 6 m minimum, 8 m recommended.

  • heightMinimum height of 6 m: There must be at least 6 m of clear, unobstructed height above the entire playing area. Beams, lights and ventilation ducts must not project into this clear space.
  • vertical_align_topFIP recommendation of 8 m: FIP recommends 8 m for new venues. Lobs are a central part of the game, so planning for only 6 m creates a noticeable restriction.
  • lightbulbLighting: Provide at least 500 lux on the playing area and correspondingly more for competition use. Lights must be installed above or outside the unobstructed clear space.
  • warningCheck existing halls: Many tennis and industrial halls do not provide 6 m at every point above the court. Before leasing or converting a hall, measure the actual clear height across the entire playing area, not only at the ridge.

From playing area to plot

Planning dimensions: the space you really need.

The 20 × 10 m figure is only the internal playing area. Plot planning must also include the wall structure, foundation edges, circulation space and access. These corridors are non-binding rules of thumb for early planning.

Planning dimension per court
22 × 12 m
PadelCompass planning dimension including the structure and circulation space.
Comfortable layout
approx. 26 × 16 m
Including safety and access zones, pathways and space for benches.
Gross area per court
550 to 600 m²
Approximate land requirement including reception, parking and pathways. Rule of thumb, not guaranteed.
Continue with the interactive planner

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about padel court dimensions.

Find more answers on costs, permits and construction on the comprehensive FAQ page.

How large is a padel court?

A doubles padel court measures 20 m × 10 m internally under FIP rules, with a tolerance of ±0.5%. The glass and mesh wall structure and surrounding clearance must be added, so early planning generally allows around 22 m × 12 m per court.

How much land does one padel court require?

PadelCompass uses a planning dimension of approximately 22 m × 12 m per court including the structure and circulation space. A more comfortable layout with safety and access zones is closer to 26 m × 16 m. Including reception, parking and pathways, the gross land requirement is roughly 550 to 600 m² per court. These are non-binding rules of thumb; the actual requirement depends heavily on the plot shape. The fastest way to check is with the Space planner.

How high does a padel hall need to be?

There must be at least 6 m of clear, unobstructed height above the entire playing area. FIP recommends 8 m for new venues. Beams, lights and technical equipment must not project into this clear space; in existing halls, the height must be checked across the full playing area.

How large is a singles court?

A singles padel court measures 20 m × 6 m. It has the same length as a doubles court but is narrower. Singles courts are much less common and are most relevant for private use when the plot is not wide enough for a doubles court.

How high is a padel net?

The padel net is 10 m wide and 0.88 m high at the centre. At the net posts, it may be no higher than 0.92 m.


Next step

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