Padel court dimensions are 20 metres long by 10 metres wide, enclosed on all sides. The back walls are 3 metres high (glass) with additional 1 metre of mesh above (4m total at the back). The side walls step down from 3m at the back to 2m at the net. The net is 0.88m high at the centre and 0.92m at the posts. Total playing area is 200 square metres split equally by the net.
The 20x10 rectangle
Every regulation padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, measured inside the walls. The net divides the court into two 10x10 squares. This is the same size whether the court is indoor, outdoor, professional or club level.
The official specification is published by the International Padel Federation (FIP) and enforced worldwide. Deviating from these dimensions disqualifies a court from hosting ranked tournaments.
Walls: heights and materials
The enclosure is what makes padel padel. Wall specifications are precise.
Back walls
Both ends of the court have glass walls 3 metres tall. Above the glass, a metal mesh extends another 1 metre, giving the back of the court a total enclosed height of 4 metres.
Side walls
The side walls step down in height as they approach the net. From the back corner: 3 metres of glass for the first 2 metres, then 2 metres of glass for the next 2 metres, and finally metal mesh for the front section closer to the net (typically 2 metres tall).
The stepping pattern creates the distinctive padel profile and allows spectators to see clearly into the court from the sides while still enclosing the ball.
Net dimensions
The net runs across the middle of the court, perpendicular to the side walls.
| Measurement | Official size |
|---|---|
| Height at centre | 0.88 metres |
| Height at posts | 0.92 metres |
| Width (matches court) | 10 metres |
| Net post position | Flush with the side walls |
The net sags slightly in the middle by design - thats why the centre is 4cm lower than the posts. This is managed by tension on the net cord, which is adjustable.
Court lines and service boxes
The court floor has four painted lines that define the service boxes.
- Baseline: runs along the back wall (10m wide, same as court width)
- Service line: 3 metres in front of and parallel to the back wall - this is where the server stands behind
- Centre service line: runs from the net to the service line, dividing each side of the court into two equal service boxes
- Sidelines: run along each side wall (20m long, same as court length)
Each side of the net has two service boxes measuring roughly 5m wide by 3m deep - the space between the service line and the net, split by the centre service line.
Court surface
The playing surface is almost always artificial turf filled with sand. This gives a slower bounce than tennis clay or hard courts, more grip for quick direction changes, and reduces wear on players knees and ankles.
Variations exist - some courts use concrete, some use newer synthetic materials - but artificial turf with sand infill is by far the most common. See our court surfaces guide for how surface affects play.
Entrance and access
Each court has at least one entrance, typically a door or opening in the side wall near the centre of the court (near the net). Some courts have doors on both sides.
On some courts, small openings in the side walls near the net allow players to exit and re-enter during play - this is the "por cuatro" feature that allows advanced out-of-court shots. This is optional and not required by regulation.
Clearance: minimum height above the court
For indoor courts, the minimum clearance from the playing surface to the ceiling is 6 metres for recreational play. Tournament standard is 8 metres or more. This ensures lobs and high smashes do not hit the roof.
Outdoor courts have no ceiling constraint but often have lighting masts. Lights must be positioned outside the playing area - anything above the court counts as out of bounds.
Why these specific numbers
The 20x10 dimension came from the original padel court built by Enrique Corcuera in Mexico in 1969. He built it in his garden within the space he had available. When the sport spread and federations formalised the rules, his garden-sized court became the global standard.
The wall heights were designed to keep the game dynamic - tall enough that lobs remain a threat, short enough that almost any shot is playable. The net height of 0.88m is deliberately lower than tennis (0.914m) to compensate for the smaller court and the underarm serve.