Tennis Court Dimensions & How Much Space a Home Court Needs
Updated
Official tennis court dimensions are 78 feet long by 36 feet wide for doubles. Singles uses the same length, but only 27 feet of width. Those are just the lines.
With room to run, a court takes much more space. The recommended total area is 60 × 120 feet.
This guide covers every line, the space around them, and what a home court needs. If you already have a court that's showing wear, see tennis court resurfacing.
Official tennis court dimensions (78 × 36 ft)
The ITF Rules of Tennis (opens in new tab) set the court size in Rule 1.
| Part of the court | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Court length | 78 ft | ITF Rule 1 |
| Doubles width | 36 ft | ITF Rule 1 |
| Singles width | 27 ft | ITF Rule 1 |
| Doubles alley, each side | 4.5 ft | Math: (36 − 27) ÷ 2 |
| Service line, from the net | 21 ft | ITF Rule 1 |
| Service box | 21 × 13.5 ft | Math: 27 ÷ 2 = 13.5 |
| Service line to baseline | 18 ft | Math: 39 − 21 |
| Net height at the posts | 3.5 ft (42 in) | ITF Rule 1 |
| Net height at the center | 3 ft (36 in) | ITF Rule 1 |
| Net post centers | 3 ft outside each doubles sideline | ITF Rule 1 |
| Center mark on each baseline | 4 in long | ITF Rule 1 |
A doubles court covers 2,808 square feet (78 × 36). A singles court covers 2,106 (78 × 27).
Measure to the outside of the lines
ITF Rule 1 says all court measurements go to the outside of the lines. The center service line and center mark are 2 inches wide. Other lines can be 1 to 2 inches wide, and baselines can be up to 4 inches.
All lines must be one color that clearly contrasts with the court.
Set the net at 42 inches at the posts and 36 at the center
The net hangs from posts at 3.5 feet and is strapped down to 3 feet at the center. The post centers sit 3 feet outside each doubles sideline. That puts them 42 feet apart, center to center (36 + 3 + 3).
Total area: 60 × 120 recommended, 56 × 114 minimum
Players run well behind the baseline and wide of the sidelines. USTA/ASBA court guidance, reproduced by Tennis Ontario (opens in new tab), recommends a 60 × 120 ft playing area. Where space is tight, it lists 56 × 114 feet as the minimum for comfortable play.
The ITF's runout guidance, in Appendix X of its rules, adds up to the same two sizes:
| Layout | Behind each baseline | Beside each sideline | Total area | Square feet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doubles lines only | 0 | 0 | 36 × 78 ft | 2,808 |
| Recreational and club minimum | 18 ft | 10 ft | 56 × 114 ft | 6,384 |
| Recommended standard (ITF: international play) | 21 ft | 12 ft | 60 × 120 ft | 7,200 |
| Stadium court (USTA guidance) | Not listed | Not listed | 70 × 130 ft | 9,100 |
Runout from ITF Appendix X. Totals are simple math: 36 + 10 + 10 = 56, and 78 + 18 + 18 = 114. The same math with 12 and 21 feet gives 60 × 120.
Put the fence around the whole area
The 60 × 120 area is the space inside the fence. HomeGuide (opens in new tab) says this area leaves room for sitting, walking, and a fence. Fencing all four sides of a 60 × 120 area takes 360 feet of fence (60 + 120 + 60 + 120).
Leave room outside the fence for a gate, a path, and any setback your city requires.
Add 48 feet for each court beside it
Planning for an HOA or club? The USTA guidance uses 12 feet between courts that sit side by side. At that spacing, each added court adds 48 feet of width.
- Two courts: 108 × 120 feet
- Three courts: 156 × 120 feet
Residential tennis courts
A backyard court doesn't have to follow tournament rules. Here's what to plan for.
Know the common home sizes
A home court can use the full 78 × 36 ft lines. If your yard is smaller, Angi (opens in new tab) says many backyard recreational courts are about 60 × 30 feet. That's a common size, not a rulebook size.
The ITF also sets smaller courts for kids 10 and under (Appendix VIII):
| Kids' court | Length | Width | Net at center |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red (ages up to 8) | 36–42 ft | 14–20 ft | 31.5–33 in |
| Orange (ages 8 to 10) | 58–60 ft | 20–27 ft | 31.5–36 in |
A red court fits easily on a 30 × 60 ft backyard pad. That makes kids' tennis a good fit for a multi-use court with pickleball lines and a basketball hoop. See our basketball and pickleball combo court guide.
Face the court north to south
USTA guidance says to run the long side of the court north to south, so players don't look into the sun. In the southern U.S., play goes on through winter and the sun sits low. If a lot of your play happens between 3 and 4 p.m., the guidance suggests turning the court 15 to 25 degrees off true north, running northwest to southeast. The Gulf Coast is in that southern zone.
Choose an 8- or 10-foot fence
The same guidance calls for 10-foot backstops behind each baseline. For home courts, it says 8 feet is enough if balls that go over can be found easily without bothering the neighbors. HomeGuide also suggests 8 feet or taller.
Keep the side fence at full height for at least 20 feet from the back fence. The guidance recommends 30 feet.
Slope the court so rain runs off
A court should be one flat, tilted plane. USTA guidance prefers a side-to-side slope of about 1 inch every 10 feet, with 1% as the maximum. It should never slope toward or away from the net.
Across a 60-foot-wide area, 1 inch every 10 feet means about 6 inches of drop. Heavy Gulf Coast rain makes this step matter.
Keep trees back from the court
Trees block wind, but they also drop leaves, cast shade, and send roots under the court, according to the USTA guidance. Shade that stays damp can grow slick mold.
Tennis vs pickleball size
A pickleball court is much smaller. Its lines are 20 × 44 feet, or 880 square feet (USA Pickleball rulebook (opens in new tab), Rule 3.A.1). That's about a third of a doubles tennis court.
| Court | Lines | Recommended total area |
|---|---|---|
| Tennis, doubles | 78 × 36 ft (2,808 sq ft) | 60 × 120 ft |
| Pickleball | 20 × 44 ft (880 sq ft) | 34 × 64 ft, new construction |
A 60 × 120 tennis area holds four pickleball courts at USA Pickleball's 30 × 60 ft minimum surface. For layouts and line colors, see pickleball lines on a tennis court. For every pickleball measurement, see pickleball court dimensions.
Caring for an existing court
HomeGuide (opens in new tab) calls acrylic hard courts, with acrylic coats over concrete or asphalt, the most common tennis surface. It says they need resurfacing every 4 to 8 years. It lists $4,000 to $10,800 nationally to resurface a 120 × 60 ft court. That's a national figure, not a quote.
Watch for the warning signs
Fading lines, cracks, and water that pools after rain all mean it's time for a closer look. Our court resurfacing cost guide explains what the work includes and what drives the price.
Ask about your court
Have a court that needs work, or want to know if a tennis court area can hold pickleball too? Ask about your court with:
- The size inside your fence
- Photos from each corner
- Any cracks, puddles, or faded lines
You'll get a free answer on your options. Learn more about tennis court resurfacing on the Gulf Coast.
FAQ
How big is a tennis court in feet?
A tennis court is 78 feet long. It's 36 feet wide for doubles and 27 feet wide for singles, measured to the outside of the lines (ITF Rule 1).
How much land do you need for a tennis court?
Plan on 60 × 120 feet, or 7,200 square feet, inside the fence. USTA guidance lists 56 × 114 feet as the minimum. Add room outside the fence for a gate, path, and setbacks.
What size is a residential tennis court?
A home court can use full-size lines, 78 × 36 feet. For smaller yards, Angi says many backyard recreational courts are about 60 × 30 feet. That's a common size, not a rulebook one.
How high is a tennis court fence?
USTA guidance calls for 10-foot backstops. For home courts, 8 feet is enough if balls that go over are easy to get back.
How many pickleball courts fit in a tennis court?
Four. A 60 × 120 ft tennis area holds four 30 × 60 ft pickleball surfaces, two across and two long.