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The padel court

Source: FIP rulebook, revision 01.01.2026.

Padel court dimensions

The padel court is a rectangle 10 metres wide by 20 metres long (interior measurements), with a tolerance of 0.5%.

The court is divided across the middle by a net. On both sides of the net, parallel to it and 6.95 m away, are the service lines. The area between the net and the service lines is divided by the centre service line, which splits that area into two equal zones.

The centre service line extends at least 20 cm beyond the service line.

Line characteristics:

  • Width of all lines: 5 cm
  • Preferred colour: white or black, contrasting with the floor
  • Minimum clear height over the whole surface: 6 metres (8 metres suggested for new builds)

The net

  1. The net is 10 metres long and 0.88 metres high at its centre, rising at its ends to a maximum of 0.92 metres (maximum tolerance 0.005 metres).
  2. It is suspended by a metal cable of maximum diameter 0.01 metres, whose ends are attached to two side posts of maximum height 1.05 metres.
  3. The tensioning device must not release unexpectedly or constitute a hazard.
  4. The posts have their outer faces flush with the side boundaries of the court. They may be circular or square in section, with rounded edges.
  5. The net is finished with a white top band between 5.0 and 6.3 cm wide. An additional advertising strip is allowed provided the total band does not exceed 11.0 cm.
  6. Attaching any element to the net cords is prohibited. The net must completely fill the space between the posts and the ground, without being taut.
  7. The cords are of synthetic fibre with a mesh small enough that the ball cannot pass through.

Enclosures

The court is enclosed in its entirety: back walls of 10 metres interior length and side walls of 20 metres interior length. Areas of solid material (regular rebound) and metal mesh (irregular rebound) are combined.

Back walls (4 metres total height)

  • First 3 metres: wall of any transparent or opaque material (glass, brick, etc.)
  • Last 1 metre: metal mesh

Side walls — Variant 1 (stepped)

Stepped zones at both ends:

  • First panel: 3 metres high × 2 metres long
  • Second panel: 2 metres high × 2 metres long
  • Metal mesh up to 3 metres over the central 16 metres and up to 4 metres over the two end metres

Side walls — Variant 2 (glass)

Wall zones at both ends: 3 metres high × 4 metres long, with no step. Metal mesh up to 4 metres over the two end metres.

Wall requirements

They must offer consistency and a regular, uniform rebound. Hard, smooth surface finish. A maximum of one logo per wall is allowed.

Metal mesh

Square and electro-welded. Opening size (diagonals): between 5 cm and 7.08 cm. Recommended steel wire thickness: between 3 mm and 4 mm (maximum 5 mm).

Floor

  1. The surface may be of cement, wood, synthetic materials or artificial turf. It must allow a regular bounce of the ball.
  2. The floor must be a single colour, different from that of the walls. Preferred colours: green, blue or earthy brown.
  3. Differences in level must be less than 3 mm measured with a 3 m straightedge (1/1000).
  4. On non-draining pavements, the maximum transverse drainage slope is 1%, running from the centre outwards.

Access points

The access points are located on both side walls or on one only, and are symmetrical about the centre.

  • With a single access per side: minimum clear opening of 1.05 × 2.00 m and maximum of 2.20 × 2.20 m
  • With two accesses per side: each clear opening minimum 0.72 × 2.00 m and maximum 1.10 × 2.20 m

Public facilities must comply with accessibility regulations for people with reduced mobility. Door handles must be fitted on the outside of the court.

Safety zone and outside play

Each side must have two access openings. Mandatory minimum clear space:

  • 3 metres wide (4 metres recommended)
  • 4 metres long on each side
  • 3 metres minimum height

The openings must be protected on their three sides (both sides and top), as must the net fixing posts, with cushioning material (foam rubber, rubber, neoprene, etc.) no less than 2 cm thick.

Lighting

Artificial lighting must be uniform and must not impair the vision of players, referees or spectators.

  • Lighting columns must be outside the court. If they stand in the safety zone, outside play is not permitted.
  • Minimum height from the ground to the floodlights: 6 metres (8 metres suggested for new builds)
  • For colour TV broadcasts: minimum vertical illuminance level of 1000 lux

Orientation

At outdoor facilities it is recommended that the longitudinal axis of the court run north–south, with a variation between N-NE and N-NW being acceptable.