Padel Court Dimensions & Layout Explained

Understanding padel court dimensions is fundamental to playing effectively. The court's unique structure with glass walls and mesh fencing creates a distinctive playing environment.

Official Dimensions

A padel court measures 20 meters long by 10 meters wide (200 square meters). For comparison, a tennis doubles court is 23.77m x 10.97m. The smaller padel court means less ground to cover, making the sport accessible to all fitness levels.

Glass Walls

The back walls are tempered glass, approximately 3 meters tall, and are in play during rallies. Players use them strategically like in squash, creating spectacular recovery shots and winners.

Side walls also feature glass running the court length. All glass is reinforced to withstand high-speed ball impacts.

Mesh Fencing

Above the glass walls, mesh fencing extends 2-3 meters higher, reaching a total enclosure height of 5-6 meters. The mesh contains balls, allows spectator visibility, and manages noise levels.

Net Specifications

Center height: 0.88 meters (88 cm)
Edge height: 0.92 meters
Position: Midpoint of the court

The padel net is slightly lower than tennis (0.914m), encouraging aggressive net play and passing shots.

Service Boxes

Each service box extends 6.95 meters from the net and 3.05 meters from the center line to the sideline. Serves must land diagonally in the opposite service box.

Court Surfaces

Artificial grass is the most common surface, providing consistent bounce, good grip, and low maintenance. Hard courts offer faster play, while clay surfaces provide more friction and higher bounce.

Court Zones

Baseline zone: Defensive area near the back wall
Mid-court: Neutral rally zone
Net zone: Aggressive position for finishing points

Padel strategy involves progressing from baseline toward the net to take advantageous positions.

Facility Layout

The compact 20x10m dimensions allow facilities to fit more courts than tennis. A typical padel club has 4-8 courts, making efficient use of space. All courts must comply with International Padel Federation (FIP) standards for competitive play.