A badminton doubles court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide (13.4 m x 6.1 m), which is 880 square feet. A singles court is 44 feet long and 17 feet wide (13.4 m x 5.18 m), which is 748 square feet. The net is 5 ft 1 in high at the posts and 5 ft high in the center. You also need clear space around the court and enough ceiling height.
Quick takeaways
- The court is the same length for singles and doubles. Only the width changes.
- Doubles: 44 x 20 ft (880 sq ft). Singles: 44 x 17 ft (748 sq ft).
- Net height: 5 ft 1 in at the posts, 5 ft at the center.
- Short service line: 6 ft 6 in from the net.
- Plan extra space for clearance and a high ceiling. A full indoor court usually needs about 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft.
Official badminton court dimensions
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) sets the official sizes [add link to the Laws of Badminton].
| Feature | Feet and inches | Metres |
|---|---|---|
| Court length | 44 ft | 13.4 m |
| Doubles width | 20 ft | 6.1 m |
| Singles width | 17 ft | 5.18 m |
| Each half of the court | 22 ft long | 6.7 m |
| Doubles court area | 880 sq ft | 81.7 sq m |
| Singles court area | 748 sq ft | 69.4 sq m |
| Short service line (from the net) | 6 ft 6 in | 1.98 m |
| Long service line, doubles (inside the back line) | 2 ft 6 in | 0.76 m |
| Line width | about 1.5 in | 40 mm |
| Net height at the posts | 5 ft 1 in | 1.55 m |
| Net height at the centre | 5 ft | 1.524 m |
| Net depth | 2 ft 6 in | 0.76 m |
| Net width | at least 20 ft | at least 6.1 m |
The lines are part of the area they mark. A shuttle that lands on a line is in.
How the court is laid out
- Back boundary lines: the two short lines at each end of the court.
- Sidelines: two pairs. The inner lines mark the singles court, and the outer lines mark the doubles court.
- Centre line: runs from the short service line to the back boundary, splitting the service area into left and right courts.
- Short service line: 6 ft 6 in from the net. A serve must land beyond it.
- Long service line for doubles: 2 ft 6 in inside the back boundary. In singles, the back boundary is the long service line.
- Net: stretches across the middle, and the posts stand on the doubles sidelines, even in a singles match.
Singles vs doubles court size
The length stays the same. Only the width changes.
| Match type | Length | Width | Area | Long service line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singles | 44 ft | 17 ft | 748 sq ft | Back boundary |
| Doubles | 44 ft | 20 ft | 880 sq ft | 2 ft 6 in inside the back boundary |
Badminton net height and size
The net is 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) high at the posts and 5 ft (1.524 m) high in the middle, so it dips slightly at the centre. The net is 2 ft 6 in (0.76 m) deep and at least 20 ft (6.1 m) wide. It must reach the full width of the doubles court.
How much space do you need? Clearance and ceiling height
The court is only part of the space. Players need room to move, and shuttles need height.
| Requirement | Typical guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Side clearance | About 6 ft (about 2 m) at minimum | Competition venues need more [verify with BWF facilities guide] |
| Back clearance | About 7 to 10 ft | Competition venues need more [verify] |
| Ceiling height, recreational | At least about 24 ft (7.3 m) | [verify] |
| Ceiling height, tournament level | About 30 ft (9 m) or more | [verify with BWF guidance] |
| Total area for one indoor court | About 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft | Includes clearance. Example: 32 ft x 58 ft = 1,856 sq ft |
If you plan several courts, add space between them. Check that beams, lights and fans do not hang in the shuttle’s path.
Why indoor courts work best
A badminton shuttle is light, so even a small breeze changes its flight. That is why serious play happens indoors, away from wind and fans. Outdoor courts work for casual play, but they cannot give the same control. See indoor sports halls.
Badminton court flooring options
| Flooring | Best for | Why choose it | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden floor | Professional indoor courts | Good grip and shock absorption, premium finish | |
| PVC vinyl sports flooring | Schools, academies and clubs | Cushioned, durable, easy to maintain | PVC vinyl flooring |
| PU sports flooring | Premium indoor courts | Comfort and joint protection | |
| Acrylic surface | Outdoor courts | Weather and slip resistance | |
| Modular sports tiles | Multi-sport halls | Quick installation, easy repair | Sports interlocking tiles |
For international events, check whether flooring needs BWF approval [add requirement]. Read our guide to types of badminton court.
Lighting and walls
Good lighting is as important as the flooring. Use even, glare-free lighting that does not shine into the players’ eyes, and avoid bright spots on the floor. Plain, non-reflective walls behind the court help players follow the shuttle. Lux levels: [add recommended level from BWF or your federation]. See our stadium lights.
How to mark a badminton court, step by step
- Mark the outer boundary: 44 ft x 20 ft for a doubles court.
- Check the diagonals: measure corner to opposite corner. Both should be equal, about 48 ft 4 in (14.7 m).
- Mark the net line: halfway along the length, at 22 ft from each end.
- Mark the singles sidelines: 1 ft 6 in inside each doubles sideline, which gives 17 ft.
- Mark the short service lines: 6 ft 6 in on each side of the net.
- Mark the long service lines for doubles: 2 ft 6 in inside each back line.
- Mark the center lines: from each short service line to the back boundary.
- Install the posts and the net, and check the height at the posts and the centre.
Use a steel tape and proper sports line tape or paint, 40 mm wide. Use a colour that stands out from the floor.
Sharing a hall with other sports
A doubles badminton court is the same size as a pickleball court. A volleyball court is larger. Use different line colours when courts overlap.
| Sport | Court size |
|---|---|
| Badminton (doubles) | 44 ft x 20 ft (13.4 m x 6.1 m) |
| Pickleball | 44 ft x 20 ft (13.4 m x 6.1 m) |
| Volleyball | 59 ft x 29.5 ft (18 m x 9 m) |
See our guides to pickleball court surfaces and volleyball court dimensions, and our multisport solutions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Marking the court without checking the diagonals.
- Too little clearance around the court.
- A low ceiling, or beams and lights in the shuttle’s path.
- Slippery or hard flooring.
- Glare, or uneven lighting.
- Drafts from doors, fans, or air conditioning.
What affects the cost of a badminton court?
- Number of courts and size of the hall.
- Flooring type: wood, PVC, PU or tiles.
- Floor preparation, lighting, and ceiling work.
- Net posts, line marking, and extras.
- Ventilation, draft control, and site access.
For an exact quote, talk to our team. Or ask our consulting team to plan your hall.
FAQs
1. What is the size of a badminton court in feet?
Answer: A doubles court is 44 ft x 20 ft. A singles court is 44 ft x 17 ft.
2. What is the badminton court size in meters?
Answer: A doubles court is 13.4 m x 6.1 m, and a singles court is 13.4 m x 5.18 m.
3. What is the area of a badminton court in square feet?
Answer: 880 sq ft for doubles (44 x 20) and 748 sq ft for singles (44 x 17), without clearance.
2. How much total space is needed for one badminton court?
Answer: About 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft indoors, including the clearance around the court.
3. What is the net height in badminton?
Answer: 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) at the posts and 5 ft (1.524 m) at the center.
4. How far is the short service line from the net?
Answer: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m).
5. What is the difference between the singles and doubles long service lines?
Answer: In singles, the long service line is the back boundary. In doubles, it is 2 ft 6 in inside the back boundary.
6. What ceiling height does a badminton court need?
Answer: At least about 24 ft for recreational play, and about 30 ft (9 m) or more for tournaments [verify].
7. Is a badminton court the same size as a pickleball court?
Answer: A doubles badminton court and a pickleball court are both 44 ft x 20 ft.
8. Which flooring is best for a badminton court?
Answer: Wood or PVC sports flooring for indoor courts, and acrylic for outdoor courts. The best choice depends on use and budget.
The bottom line
A doubles badminton court is 44 ft x 20 ft (880 sq ft) and a singles court is 44 ft x 17 ft (748 sq ft). Plan for the net height, the clearance and a high ceiling, choose flooring that suits your use, and check your diagonals when marking. Gallant Sports can help you plan, build and mark your court.
Talk to us: call +91 99586 77005 or email info@gallantsports.in. Explore our badminton court solutions and PVC vinyl flooring
