All About Padel Tennis Court Dimensions

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. If you’ve ever stepped onto a court, you’ll know it’s not quite tennis, not quite squash – but an addictive mix of both. The court itself plays a huge role in how the game feels. Unlike tennis, the walls are very much part of the action, and the dimensions are designed to make rallies fast, strategic, and fun.

If you’re new to padel or just curious, here’s a complete breakdown of the official padel court dimensions.

A Quick Look at the History of Padel Tennis

Padel was invented in 1969 by Mexican Enrique Corcuera, who converted his backyard into a miniature covered tennis-style court. The sport gained tremendous momentum in Spain and Argentina, and now it’s popular in more than 90 nations with millions of followers.

The sport is always played in doubles mode, i.e., 4 players on the court, two on either side. This makes it extremely social and enjoyable as opposed to regular singles tennis.

Now, if you’re ever curious about how a padel court is different from a padel tennis court, the following is the secret: they aren’t. Both terms refer to the same court where players play padel. So, whenever you hear either of them mentioned, understand they’re referring to the same 20m x 10m playing area.

The Padel Court Size

A standard padel court is a rectangle with:

• Length: 20 meters (approximately 66 feet)
  
• Width: 10 meters (approximately 33 feet)
  

The playing area is completely enclosed, typically by a mix of glass and metal mesh. The enclosure is not cosmetic alone – the walls are actually part of the game, which distinguishes padel from tennis.

The Net

The court is divided down the middle by a net that:

• Measures 10 meters wide
  
• Stands 88 cm high at the centre and 92 cm at the posts
  

The slightly raised sides give the net its tension and shape.

The Service Boxes

Serving in padel resembles tennis, but the court lines follow a slightly different layout:

• The service line is marked 6.95 meters from the net (or roughly 3 meters from the back wall).
  
• A centre service line splits the space into two equal service boxes.
  
• All lines are 5 cm wide and clearly marked.
  

This layout keeps serves precise and rallies exciting.

The Walls & Enclosure

Walls are what make padel so special. Players use them like in squash to keep the rally alive. Here’s how they’re structured:

• Back wall: 3 meters of solid glass (or other approved material) topped with 1 meter of mesh – total 4 meters high
  
• Side walls: Usually 3 meters high along the centre and step up to 4 meters at the corners
  
• Players enter and exit through side openings, usually 1–2 meters wide.
  

Indoor Courts & Ceiling Height

If you’re playing indoors, there needs to be enough space for those high lobs:

• Minimum clearance: 6 meters above the court
  
• Recommended clearance: 8 meters for professional play

Suggested Reads: Check out this blog to understand the “Rules of Padel”

Why Dimensions Matter

The design of a padel court isn’t random. The smaller size compared to tennis courts keeps the action fast-paced and dynamic. The walls ensure longer rallies and encourage creative shot-making. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the dimensions make padel easy to pick up but hard to master – which is exactly why it’s growing so quickly worldwide.

Final Thoughts

So next time you step onto a padel court, you’ll know exactly why it feels the way it does. The 20 × 10 meters layout, 88 cm net, 4-meter walls, and smart service box setup all combine to make padel the fun, social, and competitive sport we love. Thinking of trying it out? Grab a racket, rally off the walls, and experience why padel is winning hearts across the globe with PLAYO.

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