A standard badminton court measures 44 feet long and 20 feet wide for doubles play.
For singles, the width narrows to 17 feet, following official regulation dimensions.
These are the official BWF (Badminton World Federation) measurements used on every regulation court worldwide.
Whether you are setting up a home badminton ground, managing a sports facility, or simply trying to understand the game better — getting the badminton court dimensions right matters more than most people think.
Standard Badminton Court Dimensions (Official BWF Measurements)
The Badminton World Federation sets every official measurement standard. These numbers do not change by country or region.
Overall Court Size – Length and Width
The total badminton court size is 13.4 meters (44 feet) long. This length stays the same for both singles and doubles matches.
Doubles width is 6.1 meters (20 feet). Singles width is 5.18 meters (17 feet).
The full doubles court covers 880 square feet (81.74 square meters). The singles court covers 747 square feet (69.41 square meters).
Singles Court Dimensions
The singles badminton court size in feet is 44 feet × 17 feet.
The two outer side tramlines on each side go out of bounds during singles play. The valid service zone is also slightly shorter — the long service line sits 2.5 feet (0.76 m) inside the back boundary.
This narrower layout puts more focus on precision and footwork rather than width coverage.
Doubles Court Dimensions
The doubles court uses the full 20-foot width. All four tramlines are in play during rallies.
The long service line for doubles is placed 2.5 feet (0.76 m) inside the back boundary line — but only for serves. During a rally, the full court length is live.
This is one of the most misunderstood rules in badminton. The service boundaries and rally boundaries are different in doubles.
Badminton Court Lines, Markings & Service Zones
Every line on a badminton ground has a specific job. Understanding these lines directly affects how you serve, rally, and judge whether a shot is in or out.
All court lines are 40mm (1.57 inches) wide. According to BWF rules, lines are part of the playing area — meaning a shuttlecock landing on any line is considered in bounds.
Short Service Line
The short service line runs parallel to the net at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters) from the net on each side.
Every serve — in both singles and doubles — must land beyond this line. Any serve that falls short of it is an automatic fault. This rule exists to prevent players from dropping the shuttle just over the net on serves.
Long Service Line – Singles vs Doubles
This is where many players get confused.
In singles, the long service line is 2.5 feet (0.76 m) inside the back boundary. Serves cannot reach all the way to the baseline.
In doubles, the long service line is also 2.5 feet inside the back boundary — but rallies use the full court length up to the baseline.
Key point: The back tramline is in play during doubles rallies but is out for doubles serves.
Center Line
The center line splits each half of the court into a left and right service box. It runs from the short service line all the way back to the baseline on each side.
This line determines which service box a player must serve into. The server must always direct the serve diagonally into the opponent’s opposite service court.
Court Line Width & Marking Standards
BWF mandates all lines be exactly 40mm wide. Lines should be marked in white or yellow for clear visibility against the court surface.
The lines are included within the court boundaries — they are not additions to the court size. So the 44-foot length includes the baseline lines, not measured from outside them.
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Badminton Net Height & Placement
The net is the centerpiece of every badminton court. Its height directly affects shot angles, serve trajectories, and smash clearance.
Net Height at Center vs Posts
The badminton net height at the center is exactly 5 feet (1.524 meters). At the posts, it rises slightly to 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 meters).
That 1-inch difference is not a mistake. It is caused by the natural tension and gravity pulling the net cord downward at the center. This slight dip is part of the official BWF specification.
Net Post Positioning Rules
Net posts must always be placed on the doubles sidelines — regardless of whether a singles or doubles match is being played.
The post position never moves. Even during a singles match, the posts stay on the outer sidelines. This is a detail many recreational courts get wrong.
Net Specifications (Width & Material)
The net must be at least 2 feet 6 inches (0.76 m) deep from top to bottom. It should be made of fine cord with dark coloring — typically dark green or black.
The top of the net has a 3-inch (75mm) white tape folded over a cord or cable that runs along the full width. This tape keeps the top edge firm and visible.
Badminton Court Size Compared to Other Sports
Understanding how a badminton court relates to other sport courts helps with multi-use facility planning.
Badminton Court vs Pickleball Court
Badminton and pickleball courts share the exact same footprint — both measure 44 feet long and 20 feet wide.
The key difference is the net height. A pickleball net sits at just 34 inches (2.83 feet) at the center — far lower than badminton’s 5-foot net. Many facilities convert between the two sports simply by adjusting net height.
Pickleball also includes a 7-foot non-volley zone (called the “kitchen”) that does not exist in badminton.
Badminton Court vs Tennis Court
A tennis doubles court measures 78 feet long × 36 feet wide — covering approximately 2,808 square feet.
That is more than 3 times the size of a doubles badminton court (880 square feet). One full tennis court can comfortably fit three badminton courts side by side.
Tennis nets also sit lower — at 36 inches at center — compared to badminton’s 60 inches.
Badminton Court vs Volleyball Court
A standard volleyball court measures 59 feet × 29.5 feet (18 m × 9 m).
The badminton ground is shorter and narrower than a volleyball court. However, the two courts are close enough in size that many schools and gyms use the same floor space for both — with different net heights and line overlays.
FAQ’s Badminton Court Dimensions
Is a badminton court 20 feet by 44 feet?
Yes. A doubles badminton court is exactly 44 feet long and 20 feet wide. For singles, the width reduces to 17 feet while the length stays the same.
What are the dimensions of a badminton court in meters?
The standard badminton court measurement is 13.4 meters long. Doubles width is 6.1 meters and singles width is 5.18 meters.
How much space do I need for a home badminton court?
You need at least 52 feet × 28 feet of total space. This includes the 44 × 20 foot court plus a minimum 4-foot safety clearance on all sides.
Is a pickleball court the same size as a badminton court?
Yes — both courts are 44 feet long and 20 feet wide. The major difference is net height: badminton uses a 5-foot net while pickleball uses a 34-inch net.
What is the net height for badminton?
The badminton net height is 5 feet (1.524 m) at the center and 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 m) at the posts. The slight difference is due to natural net tension.
What is the difference between singles and doubles court dimensions?
Both use the same 44-foot length. The difference is width — doubles uses 20 feet while singles uses 17 feet. Service line rules and boundary lines also differ between the two formats.
Hi, I’m Ava Addams, the author at HowIsLong.com. I help simplify measurements with easy-to-use tools and clear explanations—so you can convert units quickly and accurately.Explore our guides to understand lengths, distances, and everyday measurements with confidence.
