Padel Court Dimensions: Understanding the Playing Field
Padel is one of the fastest-growing racquet sports in the world, and its court is at the center of what makes the game unique. Smaller than a tennis court, larger than a squash court, and fully enclosed with glass and fencing, the padel court creates a style of play defined by teamwork, strategy, and extended rallies. At Padel United Sports Club, our indoor Galis courts are built to official specifications, giving members a professional playing field and a true padel experience.
Quick Reference: Official Court Specs
Length: 20 meters (65 ft 7 in)
Width: 10 meters (32 ft 10 in)
Wall height: 4 meters (13 ft 1 in)
Net height: 0.88 meters at center, 0.92 meters at posts
Total recommended footprint: 22 meters x 12 meters for safe play and access
These dimensions are standardized worldwide by the International Padel Federation, ensuring the same feel whether you’re playing casually in New Jersey or competing abroad.
A Court Built for Doubles
Unlike tennis, which is played in both singles and doubles formats, padel is almost exclusively a doubles game. The 20-by-10-meter rectangle reflects this design. Two players on each side have enough room to move and cover angles, but the compact size keeps them close enough for constant communication.
The enclosed space also contributes to the sport’s accessibility. Less ground to cover makes rallies easier for new players, while advanced athletes can use the dimensions to execute high-speed, tactical exchanges.
Why the Walls Matter
The most distinctive feature of a padel court is the use of walls in active play. At the back, three-meter glass panels are topped with an additional meter of metal fencing, creating a total height of four meters. Along the sides, glass and mesh complete the enclosure.
These walls transform the way points unfold. A ball that looks like it’s out in tennis may rebound off the glass and continue the rally in padel. Players must anticipate bounces, read angles, and shift seamlessly between defense and offense. This creates longer rallies where patience and positioning matter just as much as power.
At Padel United Sports Club, glass walls give clear visibility from outside the court, allowing members and guests to follow every exchange from mezzanine seating and lounge areas.
The Net and Its Role
While similar in appearance to a tennis net, the padel net is slightly different. It dips to 0.88 meters at the center and rises to 0.92 meters at the posts. That subtle slope changes gameplay: low drives must be precise, while volleys and net duels demand quick reactions.
Because doubles is the standard, the net becomes the battleground of the sport. Teams that move forward together and control this area usually dictate the point. The net height balances aggressive play with the option of tactical lobs, keeping matches varied and strategic.
Markings and Service Structure
The padel court includes a service line 6.95 meters from the net, with a central line dividing each half into two boxes. Serves must be underhand after a bounce and land diagonally in the opponent’s box.
Lines are 5 cm wide, painted in a contrasting color for clarity. While small in size, these markings dictate rhythm: every rally begins in a controlled, predictable way, leveling the playing field and encouraging longer points.
Ceiling Height for Indoor Courts
For indoor play, vertical space matters just as much as floor area. The International Padel Federation recommends a minimum ceiling height of six meters, while eight meters is preferred for new constructions. This clearance ensures that lobs, one of padel’s most reliable defensive tools, remain in play.
Our championship-level courts in Cresskill were designed with these standards in mind, so whether you’re defending with a lob or attacking with an overhead, the space supports every shot.
How Padel Compares to Other Racquet Sports
To appreciate padel’s dimensions, it helps to compare them to other sports:
Tennis (doubles): 23.77 m x 10.97 m — nearly twice the surface area of a padel court.
Pickleball: 13.4 m x 6.1 m — much smaller, no walls, shorter rallies.
Squash: 9.75 m x 6.4 m — fully enclosed, but smaller and played with a different ball dynamic.
Padel sits in between, borrowing elements from each sport but creating a playing field that encourages teamwork, creativity, and constant interaction.
Playing Surface and Movement
Most padel courts use synthetic turf with sand infill. This surface provides grip without locking players in place, allowing for smooth pivots and controlled slides. It’s easier on the joints than harder surfaces and helps maintain consistent bounce.
Movement on a padel court isn’t about sprinting long distances; it’s about anticipation. Players track angles, adjust for rebounds, and move in sync with their partner. The surface and size support this style of play, making it approachable for beginners yet challenging for advanced competitors.
Why Dimensions Shape the Game
Every element of the court: size, walls, net, and markings, has been carefully designed to make padel what it is today. The smaller footprint keeps all four players engaged, the walls extend rallies, and the net height adds balance between offense and defense. Together, these features create a sport that is as social as it is strategic.
Beyond the Court: Wellness at Padel United
The game doesn’t stop when the match ends. At Padel United Sports Club, players can move from the court to wellness facilities designed for recovery and performance. Members and Oasis Spa Day Pass guests have access to:
Sauna and steam room
Cold plunge and hot plunge
40-foot mineral pool
Fitness center and gym
Massage therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field treatments
These amenities support body and mind, allowing athletes to train hard, recover fully, and return stronger for their next match.
Final Thoughts
Padel court dimensions may look like simple numbers. 20 meters by 10 meters with four-meter walls and a net under a meter high, but they are the foundation of a sport built around rallies, teamwork, and strategy. At Padel United Sports Club, our regulation-size courts bring that design to life, giving members the opportunity to play the game the way it was meant to be played.
Pairing world-class courts with a full wellness oasis, our club offers more than matches. It provides an environment where players of all levels can grow their game, connect with others, and recover in comfort. Whether you’re stepping on court for the first time or refining advanced skills, understanding the playing field is the first step toward enjoying padel to the fullest.
