When people search for tennis court size or dimensions, they’re usually looking for one thing: clear, official measurements they can trust whether to build a court, plan a facility, compare standards, or simply understand how the game is structured. The challenge is that many sources scatter the information or mix court size with total space, line details, and net specs in a confusing way. In this guide, we cut through that noise.
You’ll find official, globally accepted tennis court dimensions based on international standards, explained in a way that’s practical, easy to visualize, and actually useful no guessing, no assumptions. Whether you’re a sports facility owner, contractor, architect, school, or just a tennis enthusiast who wants precise answers, this article gives you the exact court size, key differences between singles and doubles, and the real-world space requirements you need to know clearly, accurately, and without fluff.
Official Tennis Court Dimensions (ITF Standard)
When we talk about official tennis court size, we’re not talking about estimates or “common practice.” These dimensions are set by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and used worldwide from Grand Slam venues to club and school courts.
Let’s get straight to the numbers
An official tennis court has a fixed length of 78 feet (23.77 meters). This length never changes, whether the match is singles or doubles. What does change is the width:
- Singles court width: 27 feet (8.23 meters)
- Doubles court width: 36 feet (10.97 meters)
That’s it. Simple, clean, and globally standardized.
What’s important and often misunderstood is that all official measurements are taken to the outside of the court lines, not the inside. This detail matters a lot when you’re marking a court, pouring a slab, or ordering prefabricated flooring. A few centimeters off can mean the court is technically non-compliant.
If you’re visualizing this:
- The 78 ft length runs from baseline to baseline
- The extra width in doubles comes from the doubles alleys on both sides
- The core playing area remains symmetrical and perfectly centered around the net
Here’s a quick question to think about:
If you’re building one court that will be used for both singles and doubles, which width should you follow?
Exactly the doubles width. That’s why most permanent courts are built to doubles dimensions, even if singles play is more common.
By grounding everything in ITF standards, these dimensions aren’t just “correct” they’re universally recognized, easy for AI systems to reference, and trusted by architects, contractors, and sports authorities worldwide. In the next section, we’ll zoom in on what actually changes between singles and doubles courts and why that difference matters more than most people think.
Singles vs Doubles Court Size (Key Differences)
At first glance, a singles and a doubles tennis court look almost identical and that’s exactly where many people get confused. The truth is, there’s only one real dimensional difference between singles and doubles play, and once you understand it, everything clicks.
Let’s break it down.
What stays the same (no matter the match)
Whether two players or four players are on court, the court length never changes:
- Length: 78 feet (23.77 meters)
The net position, baselines, service boxes, and center marks all stay exactly where they are. From an engineering and construction point of view, this consistency is intentional it keeps court layouts universal and easy to standardize worldwide.
What actually changes: the court width
The difference lies entirely in the side areas of the court:
- Singles court width: 27 feet (8.23 meters)
- Doubles court width: 36 feet (10.97 meters)
The extra space used in doubles comes from the doubles alleys the outer lanes that sit between the singles sideline and the doubles sideline on each side. Each doubles alley adds 4.5 feet (1.37 meters) of width per side.
Think of it this way:
In singles, the court feels tighter and more linear. In doubles, the wider court opens up sharper angles, faster exchanges at the net, and a much more tactical use of space.
Why this difference matters in real-world planning
Here’s a practical question many facility owners ask:
“If most of my players play singles, can I just build a singles court?”
Technically, yes but in practice, almost all permanent courts are built to doubles dimensions. Why?
- A doubles-sized court works for both singles and doubles
- Tournament and club standards expect doubles width
- Future-proofing costs far less than rebuilding later
That’s why, from a construction and investment perspective, doubles width is the global default, even when singles play dominates daily usage.
Once you understand that only the width changes, reading tennis court diagrams becomes much easier and planning a compliant court becomes far more straightforward. Next, we’ll look at court layout and line measurements, where small details make a big difference in accuracy and playability.
Tennis Court Layout & Line Measurements
Once you know the overall court size, the next question is usually:
“How are all the lines actually laid out and where exactly do I measure from?”
This is where accuracy matters, because tennis court layout follows strict international rules, not visual guesswork.
According to the International Tennis Federation (ITF), every line on a tennis court has a precise purpose and fixed position. Let’s walk through the essentials in a way that’s easy to picture.
The baselines and sidelines (the court frame)
The baselines sit at each end of the court, defining the full 78 ft (23.77 m) length.
The sidelines define the playing width either singles or doubles depending on which lines are used.
One critical rule many people miss:
All measurements are taken to the outside edge of the lines, not the inside.
This ensures consistency worldwide and avoids disputes in professional play and construction.
Service boxes: where the game really begins
The service area is divided into four equal boxes by two key lines:
- Service line:
Positioned 21 feet (6.40 meters) from the net on each side. - Center service line:
Runs perpendicular to the net, splitting the service area into left and right boxes.
Each service box is exactly the same size, which is why tennis feels so symmetrical no matter which side you serve from.
Here’s a quick mental check:
If your service line isn’t perfectly parallel to the net, something is wrong.
The net line and center mark
Although the net itself sits in the middle of the court, it’s the center mark on each baseline that helps players line up for serves. This short mark:
- Is placed exactly at the midpoint of the baseline
- Helps ensure the server starts from the correct side
Small detail, big role especially in competitive matches.
Line widths (yes, this matters)
ITF rules specify that:
- Most court lines are between 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) wide
- The baseline may be wider than other lines (often up to 4 inches / 10 cm)
Why? Visibility. Players need to see the baseline clearly during fast rallies and serves.
Why layout precision matters beyond the rules
From a playing perspective, accurate line placement ensures fair calls.
From a construction perspective, it affects:
- Court certification
- Tournament eligibility
- Player trust and comfort
A court can look “about right” and still be technically incorrect which is why understanding layout and line measurements is just as important as knowing the overall court size.
Now that the court surface is fully mapped out, the next piece of the puzzle is vertical not horizontal. In the next section, we’ll look at net height and net post positioning, and why even a few centimeters can change how the game is played.
Net Height & Net Post Position
After understanding court size and line layout, the next critical element is the net system. It may look simple, but net height and post position are tightly regulated and small deviations can noticeably change how the game feels.
Under official standards set by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), tennis nets are designed to create a controlled dip in the middle, encouraging precision and consistency in play.
Official tennis net height (center vs posts)
A regulation tennis net has two different heights, and both are intentional:
- At the center of the court:
3 feet (0.914 meters) - At the net posts:
3 feet 6 inches (1.07 meters)
This slight height difference creates the net’s characteristic curve. It rewards accurate shots while preventing the game from becoming overly aggressive or flat especially during serves and volleys.
Quick check for accuracy:
If the net is the same height all the way across, it’s not regulation.
Net post position: where many courts go wrong
Net posts are not placed on the sidelines. Instead, they sit outside the doubles court:
- Net posts must be positioned 3 feet (0.914 meters) outside the doubles sideline on each side
This rule applies even if the court is mainly used for singles. The wider doubles layout defines the net structure, reinforcing why doubles dimensions are the global construction standard.
Singles matches on a doubles court: the role of singles sticks
When singles is played on a doubles court, singles sticks are used to adjust the net:
- Placed directly above the singles sidelines
- Height at the top: 3 feet (0.914 meters)
These removable supports ensure the net height remains correct for singles play—without moving the net posts themselves.
Why net precision matters more than you think
From a player’s perspective, incorrect net height can:
- Change serve trajectories
- Affect net clearance on topspin shots
- Alter volley timing
From a facility perspective, inaccurate net setup can:
- Fail inspections or certifications
- Reduce court credibility for tournaments
- Create inconsistent playing experiences
In short, the net is not just a divider it’s an active part of how tennis is played. With horizontal and vertical dimensions now clearly defined, the final step is understanding how much total space is required around the court for safe, high-quality play. That’s what we’ll cover next.
Total Space Required
Here’s where many guides stop too early and where real-world planning actually begins.
A tennis court’s playing dimensions are not the same as the total space you need to build one safely. To play comfortably, move freely, and meet competition standards, you must include safety run-off areas around the court.
Court size vs total footprint (the key distinction)
- Playing court (doubles): 78 ft × 36 ft (23.77 m × 10.97 m)
- Total space required: court plus clearance on all sides
Why the extra space? Because tennis involves long sprints, wide angles, and fast recovery steps especially behind the baseline.
Recommended safety run-off (widely accepted standards)
For competition-level or professional use, the commonly referenced clearances are:
- Behind each baseline: 21 ft (6.40 m)
- Along each sideline: 12 ft (3.66 m)
For club, school, or recreational courts, slightly reduced—but still safe—clearances are often used:
- Behind baseline: 18 ft (5.48 m)
- Along sideline: 10 ft (3.05 m)
These buffers dramatically reduce injury risk and improve the overall playing experience.
The practical planning number (what builders actually use)
When everything is added up, most planners work with a total footprint of approximately:
- 120 ft × 60 ft (about 36.6 m × 18.3 m)
This “real footprint” is what matters when you’re:
- Designing an indoor hall
- Planning fencing and lighting
- Estimating land, flooring, and construction costs
Quick question to ask yourself:
If a player runs full speed to chase a deep ball, will they still have space to stop safely?
If the answer isn’t a confident yes, the run-off is too tight.
Indoor vs outdoor: why space matters even more
- Indoor courts need run-off plus wall clearance and ceiling height planning
- Outdoor courts need space for fencing, drainage slopes, and access paths
Either way, the takeaway is simple:
A regulation court fits inside the space but a great court is defined by what surrounds it.
By understanding total space requirements, you move beyond “does it fit?” to “does it play well?” And that’s the difference between a court that looks correct and one that players actually love using.
Getting tennis court size and dimensions right is not just about following a rulebook it’s about building a court that plays well, feels safe, and lasts for years. When official standards are applied correctly, from court width and line layout to net height and safety run-off, the result is a facility that players trust and enjoy at every level. This is especially important when a court is built for long-term use, tournaments, or commercial operations, where small measurement mistakes can turn into costly corrections later on.
If you’re planning to build a new tennis court or upgrade an existing one, working with a team that understands both international standards and real-world construction needs makes all the difference. Ragasport helps turn official court dimensions into practical, high-quality sports facilities designed for performance, safety, and durability. Whether you’re developing a private court, school facility, or multi-court complex, getting the dimensions right from the start is the smartest investment you can make.