The pickleball court shares the exact dimensions of a doubles badminton court, but its unique lines and zones dictate a completely different style of play. Understanding the layout is the first step to mastering court positioning and strategy.

Overall Dimensions and the Net

A standard pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long for both singles and doubles play.

The net divides the court exactly in half. It is suspended at a height of 36 inches at the sidelines and dips slightly to 34 inches in the center. This subtle two-inch drop in the middle makes cross-court shots slightly more forgiving than shots hit straight down the sideline.

The Three Key Zones

1. The Non-Volley Zone (The Kitchen)

This is the defining feature of a pickleball court. The Kitchen is a 7-foot-deep rectangular area immediately adjacent to the net on both sides.

• The Rule: You cannot hit the ball out of the air (a volley) while any part of your body or gear is touching this zone or the line that borders it.
• The Purpose: It prevents players from standing right at the net and aggressively smashing every ball downwards. It forces the strategic, soft-touch game (dinking) that pickleball is famous for.

2. The Service Courts

Behind the Kitchen on each side are the service courts. A centreline divides this remaining 15-foot depth into two equal halves: the Right Service Court (even court) and the Left Service Court (odd court).

• Each service court measures 10 feet wide by 15 feet deep.
• When serving, the ball must clear the Kitchen and land diagonally in the opponent’s opposite service court.

3. The Transition Zone (“No Man’s Land”)

While not an officially drawn area, this is the strategic term for the space in the service courts between the baseline and the Kitchen line.

Players aim to move through this zone as quickly as possible. Standing here leaves you vulnerable, as opponents can easily hit the ball at your feet, forcing a difficult defensive pop-up.

The Lines of the Court

In pickleball, a ball contacting any part of a line is considered “in,” with one major exception involving the serve.

• Baselines: The lines running parallel to the net at the very back of the court (22 feet from the net). You must serve from behind this line.
• Sidelines: The lines running perpendicular to the net, marking the outer width of the court.
• Centreline: The line dissecting the service areas, extending from the Kitchen line to the baseline.
• Non-Volley Zone Line (Kitchen Line): The line parallel to the net, 7 feet back. Crucial rule: On a serve, if the ball hits the Kitchen line, it is considered a fault (out).