Guide · Dimensions and space
Padel court dimensions and the space you need
Padel court size, wall and clear heights, and the area needed for one to six courts, from the LTA's construction guidance. Plus what makes a site suitable.
By Alejandro Pesquero, Founder and CEO · Last reviewed
In short
- A padel court's playing area is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, about a third of the size of a tennis court.
- Allow 20.8 × 10.8 metres for one court including its foundations, and 20.8 × 45.3 metres for four courts side by side.
- The walls at each end are 4 metres high: 3 metres of glass with 1 metre of mesh above.
- Floodlights and any canopy must leave at least 6 metres of clear height; a canopy should reach 8 metres above the net.
The court
- Playing area: 20 metres long and 10 metres wide.
- Service lines: 6.95 metres from the net on each side, with a centre line between them.
- Net: 10 metres long, 0.88 metres high in the centre and 0.92 metres at the ends.
- End walls: 4 metres high in total, with the lower 3 metres in glass or another solid material and 1 metre of mesh above.
- Access: openings in the side walls, with at least 1.2 metres between the net post and the enclosure so a sports wheelchair can reach either end.
How much land you need
The area below includes the 400 mm concrete ring beam around each court and a 1.5-metre gap between courts. It doesn't include an extra out-of-court play area, which is only needed for elite tournaments.
Minimum area for outdoor padel courts side by side
| Courts | Length | Width | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20.8 m | 10.8 m | about 225 m² |
| 2 | 20.8 m | 22.3 m | about 464 m² |
| 3 | 20.8 m | 33.8 m | about 703 m² |
| 4 | 20.8 m | 45.3 m | about 942 m² |
| 5 | 20.8 m | 56.8 m | about 1,181 m² |
| 6 | 20.8 m | 68.3 m | about 1,421 m² |
Clear height for lights and canopies
- Floodlights must leave at least 6 metres of clear space above the playing area.
- A canopy spanning from end to end should be at least 6 metres high at the ends of the court and 8 metres above the net.
- A canopy spanning from side to side should be at least 6 metres high at the sides and 8 metres at the ridge above the centre of the net.
- Elite competition needs at least 8 metres above the net.
What makes a site suitable
- Enough flat, well-drained land, or ground that can be levelled and drained.
- Room to bring in construction vehicles and materials.
- A power supply within reach for the floodlights.
- Distance from homes: within 50 metres, the LTA says noise and light surveys are likely to be needed for planning.
- Safe access for players, including step-free access to the courts.
Old hard courts, the edge of a playing field or a rarely used corner can all work. Converting tennis courts is an option too. Every site is different, so we check yours: request a site review.
Sources
- LTA: Padel court construction guidance note (2025)
- SAPCA and LTA: Code of Practice for the Construction of Padel Courts (September 2025)
Figures are guides, not quotes. Costs exclude VAT and fees, and rules change, so check the current position for your own site.