A badminton singles court is 13.40 m long and 5.18 m wide (about 44 ft x 17 ft). Singles uses the inner side lines and the back boundary line, which makes the court narrower than doubles but just as long.
Whether you are a beginner or a club player, knowing the singles court lines, serve rules, and scoring helps you avoid easy faults and play with confidence. This guide covers court dimensions, lines, serving, scoring, faults, and practical tips. For construction and setup, see our guides on badminton court measurements and court size, markings, and setup.
What Is a Badminton Singles Court?
A badminton court is a rectangular playing area split in two halves by a net. The same court is used for singles and doubles. The playing area changes by format, because singles use a narrower width.
A singles setup includes
- A flat, level rectangular surface
- Clearly marked boundary lines (lines are 40 mm wide and are part of the area they mark)
- A net across the center, 1.524 m (5 ft) high at the middle and 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) at the posts
- Short service lines and a center line that create the service courts
Badminton Singles Court Dimensions
| Feature | Metres | Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Court length | 13.40 m | about 44 ft |
| Court width, singles | 5.18 m | about 17 ft |
| Court width, doubles | 6.10 m | about 20 ft |
| Net height at centre | 1.524 m | 5 ft |
| Net height at posts | 1.55 m | about 5 ft 1 in |
| Short service line from net | 1.98 m | about 6 ft 6 in |
| Doubles long service line from the back line | 0.76 m | about 2 ft 6 in |
| Line width | 40 mm | about 1.6 in |
The posts stand on the doubles side lines, even when you play singles, so the net itself is the same for both formats.
Badminton Singles Court Lines Explained
- Inner side lines: the side boundary for singles
- Outer side lines: used for doubles only; ignored in singles
- Back boundary line: the end boundary for both formats. In singles, it is also the long service line
- Short service line: the server must land beyond it (1.98 m from the net)
- Center line: divides the left and right service courts
Important rule: if the shuttle touches any line, it is in.
Singles Service Court: Where the Serve Must Land
In singles, the serve goes diagonally into the opposite service court. That court is bounded by:
- the short service line at the front
- the centre line on one side
- the inner side line on the other side
- the back boundary line at the rear (the full length of the court)
A serve that lands short of the short service line, outside the inner side line or beyond the back line is a fault. In doubles the serve must land short of the long service line, which is 0.76 m inside the back line, so doubles serves are shorter.
Serving Rules in Badminton Singles
A wrong serve loses the point, so these rules matter.
- Height: at the moment of contact, the whole shuttle must be below 1.15 m (about 3 ft 9 in) from the court surface
- Racket: the shaft must point in a downward direction at contact
- Contact point: the racket must hit the base of the shuttle first
- Feet: some part of both feet must stay in contact with the court, in a fixed position, until the serve is hit, and may not touch the lines
- Motion: the server’s racket must move in one continuous forward motion, with no deliberate delay
- Direction: the serve goes diagonally to the opponent’s service court
Common serving mistakes
- Hitting the shuttle above 1.15 m
- Moving or lifting the feet before contact
- Serving to the wrong court or short of the service line
- Stopping or hesitating during the serve motion
Where to Serve From in Singles
In singles, you serve from the service court that matches your own score.
| Server’s score | Serve from | Serve to |
|---|---|---|
| Even (0, 2, 4…) | Right service court | Opponent’s right (diagonal) |
| Odd (1, 3, 5…) | Left service court | Opponent’s left (diagonal) |
If the server wins the rally, they score a point, switch service courts, and serve again. If the receiver wins, they score a point and become the server.
Badminton Singles Scoring System
Badminton uses rally scoring, so every rally awards a point no matter who served.
- A match is best of three games
- Each game is played to 21 points
- You must win by 2 points
- At 29-29, the player who wins the next point wins the game (30)
- The winner of a game serves first in the next game
- Players change ends after each game, and in the deciding game when the first player reaches 11
- There is a break of up to 60 seconds when a player reaches 11 points and up to 120 seconds between games
Faults in Badminton Singles
A fault means losing the rally. Common faults include:
- The shuttle lands outside the singles boundary lines
- The shuttle fails to cross the net or passes through or under it
- The shuttle touches the ceiling or surroundings
- A player touches the net with the racket, body, or clothing
- A player hits the shuttle twice in a row (double hit)
- The shuttle is caught and held on the racket, then slung
- A player reaches over the net to hit the shuttle before it crosses (unless following through after a hit on their own side)
- A player obstructs an opponent
- An incorrect or illegal serve
Lets and Interruptions
A let means the rally is replayed. Typical cases:
- The shuttle breaks apart mid-rally
- The shuttle gets caught on top of the net after crossing it
- The receiver was clearly not ready when the serve was hit
- Any unforeseen or accidental disturbance, such as an object on court
Equipment and Player Conduct
- Use a proper badminton racket and a standard shuttle (feather or synthetic)
- Wear non-marking, non-slip court shoes
- Do not argue with the umpire, delay the game deliberately, or show unsporting behavior. Misconduct can lead to a warning, a fault, or disqualification
Singles vs Doubles Court: Key Differences
| Feature | Singles | Doubles |
|---|---|---|
| Court width | 5.18 m (inner side lines) | 6.10 m (outer side lines) |
| Long service line | Back boundary line | 0.76 m inside the back line |
| Short service line | Same in both | Same in both |
| Players | 1 vs 1 | 2 vs 2 |
| Style | More endurance, longer rallies, full-court movement | Faster, front-and-back attacking rallies |
Practical Tips to Improve Your Singles Game
- Return to the center: after each shot, recover to the middle of the court so you can reach both corners.
- Use deep clears: hit the shuttle high and deep to push your opponent to the back line.
- Judge the line: if the shuttle is clearly going out, let it go. Remember that the back line is in play in singles, and the side line is the inner one.
- Build stamina and footwork: you cover the whole court alone.
- Practise accurate serves: vary short and flick serves to control the rally.
Best Surfaces for a Badminton Court
The surface affects grip, shock absorption, injury risk, and match quality.
- Wooden flooring: the classic choice for professional indoor courts
- Synthetic (PVC vinyl) flooring: shock-absorbing, high grip and low maintenance, popular for clubs and academies
- Concrete or cement: used for basic outdoor or local courts, with higher joint stress and a faster, harder surface
Explore Gallant Sports’ PVC vinyl flooring and badminton solutions for indoor courts.
Cost of Building a Badminton Court
Cost depends on flooring type, indoor or outdoor setup, lighting, ventilation, ceiling height and local labour. For a precise estimate, contact Gallant Sports with your site details.
Editor note: if you have typical cost ranges per court for different flooring types, add them here. A short table with real numbers will make this section far more useful and more likely to rank than generic advice.
Common Beginner Mistakes in Singles Badminton
- Confusing singles and doubles lines, especially the side line and the long service line
- Serving from the wrong side after a point
- Standing too far from the centre after a shot
- Serving above 1.15 m or lifting the feet
- Chasing every shuttle without judging whether it is in or out
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the official badminton singles court dimensions?
Answer: The singles court is 13.40 m long and 5.18 m wide (about 44 ft x 17 ft). The net is 1.524 m (5 ft) high at the centre.
2. Which lines are used in singles badminton?
Answer: Singles uses the inner side lines and the back boundary line, which is also the long service line. The outer side lines are for doubles only.
3. What is the serve height rule in badminton?
Answer: At the moment of contact, the whole shuttle must be below 1.15 m (about 3 ft 9 in) from the court surface, and the racket shaft must point downward.
4. Where do you serve from in singles badminton?
Answer: From the right service court when your score is even and from the left when it is odd. The serve goes diagonally to the opponent’s court.
5. How does scoring work in badminton singles?
Answer: A game is played to 21 points with rally scoring; you must win by 2, and at 29-29 the next point wins at 30. A match is best of three games.
6. Does a shuttle landing on the line count as in?
Answer: Yes. The lines are part of the court, so a shuttle that touches any line is in.
7. What is the difference between singles and doubles court?
Answer: The singles court is narrower (5.18 m vs 6.10 m), and its long service line is the back boundary, while in doubles the serve must land short of a line 0.76 m inside the back boundary.
8. What is the net height in badminton?
Answer: 1.524 m (5 ft) at the centre and 1.55 m (about 5 ft 1 in) at the posts.
9. What counts as a fault in singles badminton?
Answer: Examples include the shuttle landing out, hitting the net, double hits, an illegal serve, touching the ceiling and obstructing the opponent.Why is the singles court narrower?
Because one player covers the whole court. The narrower width balances the game, but the full length still demands strong footwork and stamina.
Build a Badminton Court with Gallant Sports
Getting the dimensions, markings and flooring right makes a lasting difference to performance and player safety. Gallant Sports supplies sports flooring and provides consulting for sports courts. Get in touch to plan a badminton court for your school, academy or club.
