A standard indoor volleyball court is 18 m long and 9 m wide (59 ft x 29.5 ft), so each side is a 9 m square. The net is 2.43 m (7 ft 11 5/8 in) high for men and 2.24 m (7 ft 4 1/8 in) for women. The attack line is 3 m from the center line. You also need a clear free zone around the court and enough ceiling height.
Quick takeaways
- Court: 18 m x 9 m. Each half: 9 m x 9 m. Court area: 162 sq m.
- Net height: 2.43 m for men, 2.24 m for women.
- Attack line: 3 m from the center line, so the front zone is 3 m deep and the back zone 6 m.
- Free zone: at least 3 m all round for standard play, and more for top-level competitions.
- Check both diagonals when marking. They should be equal.
Official volleyball court dimensions
The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) sets the official sizes [add FIVB rule book link].
| Feature | Metres | Feet and inches |
|---|---|---|
| Court length | 18 m | 59 ft |
| Court width | 9 m | 29.5 ft |
| Each half of the court | 9 m x 9 m | 29.5 ft x 29.5 ft |
| Court area | 162 sq m | about 1,744 sq ft |
| Attack line from center line | 3 m | 9 ft 10 in |
| Front zone depth | 3 m | 9 ft 10 in |
| Back zone depth | 6 m | 19 ft 8 in |
| Line width | 5 cm | about 2 in |
| Net height, men | 2.43 m | 7 ft 11 5/8 in |
| Net height, women | 2.24 m | 7 ft 4 1/8 in |
These sizes are used in international matches and are followed by schools, colleges, and academies that want a standard court.
How a volleyball court is laid out
- Boundary lines: two sidelines (18 m) and two end lines (9 m). The lines are part of the court.
- Center line: runs under the net and splits the court into two equal halves of 9 m x 9 m.
- Attack line: 3 m from the centre line on each side. It separates the front zone from the back zone and controls where back-row players can attack from.
- Front zone: the 3 m strip next to the net.
- Back zone: the remaining 6 m up to the end line.
- Service zone: the area behind the end line, 9 m wide, where the server stands.
- Free zone: the open space around the court that players use to move and chase the ball.
How much space do you need? Free zone and total area
The court is only part of the space you need. The free zone depends on the level of play.
| Level | Side clearance | End clearance | Total area needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| School, college, and practice (basic minimum) | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) | 24 m x 15 m = 360 sq m (about 3,875 sq ft) |
| FIVB world and official competitions | 5 m (16 ft 5 in) | 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in) | 31 m x 19 m = 589 sq m (about 6,340 sq ft) [verify with FIVB] |
If you want spectators, a bench area or a second court beside the first, add more space. See our bleachers and stadium seating.
Ceiling height for indoor courts
Volleyball needs a lot of vertical space for sets, spikes and serves.
- Minimum clear height: 7 m (about 23 ft) above the playing surface.
- World and official competitions: 12.5 m (about 41 ft) [verify with FIVB].
Beams, lights, and signs must not hang below this height over the court and free zone.
Net, posts, and antennas
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Net height, men | 2.43 m (7 ft 11 5/8 in) |
| Net height, women | 2.24 m (7 ft 4 1/8 in) |
| Net size | About 1 m wide and 9.5 m long (about 31 ft) [verify, some guides quote 32 ft] |
| Posts | About 2.55 m (8 ft 4 in) high, placed just outside the sidelines [verify distance] |
| Antennae | 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) long, fixed to the net on each side, rising about 80 cm above it [verify] |
The net extends a little beyond each sideline. Always check the net height at the center and at both ends.
Net height by age group: school and youth net heights are lower than the senior heights above. Check your federation’s table [add Volleyball Federation of India and School Games Federation of India age-group net heights].
Other volleyball formats
| Format | Court size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor volleyball | 18 m x 9 m (59 ft x 29.5 ft) | Standard for matches and training |
| Beach volleyball | 16 m x 8 m (52.5 ft x 26.25 ft) | Two players per team. Same net heights as indoor. Sand should be deep and soft [add FIVB minimum sand depth] |
| Sitting volleyball | 10 m x 6 m (about 33 ft x 20 ft) | Lower net: about 1.15 m for men and 1.05 m for women [verify]. See our inclusive sports page |
| Mini and youth volleyball | Varies by age group | Smaller courts and lower nets. Check your federation chart [add sizes] |
Surface rules and line colour
- The surface should be flat, level and even, with no rough or slippery patches.
- Lines should be a light colour that is different from the floor and from other sports lines.
- Outdoor courts need a slight slope for drainage [add the FIVB slope limit].
- For competitions, check whether the flooring needs approval [add FIVB or federation requirement].
Volleyball court flooring options
| Flooring | Best for | Why choose it | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden floor | Professional indoor halls | Excellent shock absorption and grip | |
| PVC vinyl sports flooring | Schools, clubs, multi-sport halls | Cushioned, easy to maintain, many colours | PVC vinyl flooring |
| PU sports flooring | Premium indoor courts | Joint protection and durability | |
| Modular sports tiles | Schools, community and outdoor courts | Easy to install, good drainage, multi-sport lines | Sports interlocking tiles |
| Acrylic surface | Outdoor courts | Weather and slip resistance | |
| Sand | Beach volleyball | Soft landing, standard for beach courts |
For multi-purpose halls, see our indoor sports halls and multisport pages.
How to mark a volleyball court, step by step
- Prepare the surface: make sure it is clean, dry and level.
- Mark one end line: measure 9 m along a straight edge.
- Measure the sidelines: from each end of that line, measure 18 m at right angles.
- Check the diagonals: measure from corner to opposite corner. Both should be equal, about 20.12 m (66 ft). If not, adjust until they match.
- Mark the centre line: at 9 m, across the width of the court.
- Mark the attack lines: 3 m on each side of the centre line (6 m from each end line).
- Mark the service zone: behind each end line, 9 m wide.
- Install the posts and net: set the net height and check it at the centre and the ends.
Use a steel tape, chalk line and proper sports marking tape or paint. Use a line width of 5 cm.
Can you share space with other sports?
A volleyball court is bigger than a badminton or pickleball court, and smaller than a basketball court. Use different line colours when courts overlap.
| Sport | Court size |
|---|---|
| Volleyball | 18 m x 9 m |
| Badminton (doubles) | 13.4 m x 6.1 m |
| Pickleball | 13.4 m x 6.1 m |
| Basketball (FIBA) | 28 m x 15 m |
See our badminton and basketball pages.
What affects the cost of a volleyball court?
- Indoor or outdoor, and new build or surface only.
- Flooring type: wood, PVC, PU, tiles, acrylic or sand.
- Base, levelling and drainage.
- Net system, posts and line marking.
- Lighting, fencing and seating.
- Site access, transport and taxes.
For an exact quote, talk to our team.
Volleyball courts in India: what to know
- School and state events: check the rules of the Volleyball Federation of India and the School Games Federation of India, since age-group net heights can differ [add links].
- Outdoor courts: plan drainage for the monsoon and choose a surface with good grip.
- Lighting: evening play needs good, glare-free lighting [add lux guidance from the federation]. See our stadium lights.
- Space: many schools fit a court into a multi-sport hall or yard, so check ceiling height and free zone before you start.
Our consulting team can help you plan the court and the surface.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Marking the court without checking the diagonals.
- Leaving no free zone, or placing walls and benches too close.
- A low ceiling or hanging fixtures over the court.
- A hard or slippery surface.
- Poor drainage on outdoor courts.
- Glare or uneven lighting.
- Setting the net at the wrong height for the age group.
FAQs
1. What is the size of a volleyball court?
Answer: It is 18 m x 9 m, which is 59 ft x 29.5 ft. Each half is 9 m x 9 m.
2. What is the volleyball court size in feet?
Answer: 59 feet long and 29.5 feet wide.
3. What is the volleyball net height?
Answer: 2.43 m (7 ft 11 5/8 in) for men and 2.24 m (7 ft 4 1/8 in) for women. Youth and school heights are lower.
4. How far is the attack line from the net?
Answer: The attack line is 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from the center line, which runs under the net.
5. How much free space is needed around a volleyball court?
Answer: At least 3 m (about 10 ft) on all sides for standard play. Top competitions need more.
6. What ceiling height does an indoor volleyball court need?
Answer: At least 7 m (about 23 ft) of clear height. World and official competitions need about 12.5 m (about 41 ft).
7. What is the area of a volleyball court?
Answer: 162 sq m, which is about 1,744 sq ft, without the free zone.
8. What size is a beach volleyball court?
Answer: 16 m x 8 m (52.5 ft x 26.25 ft).
9. What is the best flooring for a volleyball court?
Answer: Wood or PVC for indoor courts, modular tiles or acrylic for outdoor courts, and sand for beach volleyball. The best choice depends on use and budget.
10. Is a volleyball court bigger than a badminton court?
Answer: Yes. A volleyball court is 18 m x 9 m, and a doubles badminton court is 13.4 m x 6.1 m.
The bottom line
A standard volleyball court is 18 m x 9 m, with the net at 2.43 m for men and 2.24 m for women. Plan for the free zone and ceiling height too, check your diagonals when marking, and choose a surface that suits your use and climate. 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 volleyball court solutions and PVC vinyl flooring.
