Understanding the Padel Court: Size, Walls, and Playing Surface
If you have ever stepped onto a padel court for the first time, you probably noticed right away that it looks nothing like a tennis court. The enclosed glass walls, the smaller footprint, and the unique layout all play a role in what makes padel such a fast and exciting sport. Knowing the exact dimensions and features of the court helps you understand positioning, shot selection, and why the game flows the way it does.
Official Court Dimensions
According to the International Padel Federation (FIP), a regulation padel court measures 20 meters long by 10 meters wide. That works out to roughly 66 feet by 33 feet, which is about 25% smaller than a standard tennis doubles court.
The court is divided in half by a net, giving each team a 10-meter-deep playing area. The net height sits at 88 centimeters (34.6 inches) at the center and rises slightly to 92 centimeters (36.2 inches) at the posts on each side. This is slightly lower than a tennis net, which contributes to padel's faster exchanges at the net.
The Service Boxes
Each half of the court is split into two service boxes by a center line that runs from the net back to the service line. The service line sits 6.95 meters from the back wall, creating a rectangular service box on each side.
When serving, you must stand behind the service line on your side and hit the ball diagonally into the opponent's service box. The ball must bounce in the box before the returner plays it. This is similar to tennis, but the smaller court and enclosed walls make the serve a setup shot rather than a weapon.
Walls and Enclosures
The walls are what make padel unique. Here is how the enclosure breaks down:
- Back walls: 4 meters high, made of solid material (concrete, brick, or glass) for the bottom 3 meters, with metallic mesh for the top 1 meter
- Side walls: The back portion of each side wall is 4 meters high and solid for 3 meters, matching the back wall. As you move toward the net, the side walls step down
- Side fencing: The front portion of each side wall uses metallic mesh that extends 3 meters high, allowing spectators to see the action