Whether you’re booking your first practice session or setting up a home court, size matters, literally. According to the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the standard dimensions for a full-size tennis court are 78 feet long and up to 36 feet wide, but that measurement shifts depending on the match format and age group. Without knowing the right layout, players risk training under the wrong conditions or arriving unprepared for competition.
For singles, doubles, and junior matches, court dimensions vary in width, markings, and even net use. Coaches, parents, and players need to know exactly what format they’re dealing with to train correctly and choose the right space, especially when preparing for regulation play.
Understanding tennis court dimensions also makes a difference off the court. Home setups need the correct layout to make training productive. Parents of junior players must know when their child should use a red, orange, or green ball court, and how each one is marked. Even small changes in space can affect footwork, positioning, and how the game develops.
Apps like TennisPAL simplify this process. Whether you’re searching for a court that supports doubles, checking if a park includes junior lines, or planning a coaching session, knowing the measurements lets you filter and book the right court, without second-guessing.
Let’s break down exactly how tennis court sizes are defined for singles, doubles, and junior formats, and why those differences matter in real play.
Official Tennis Court Dimensions for Singles and Doubles
Knowing the exact measurements of a tennis court isn’t just useful for tournament organizers, it directly impacts how players train, position themselves, and select the right courts for practice or match play. While the overall length remains consistent across formats, the width changes based on whether you’re playing singles or doubles. Here’s how the layouts break down.
Singles Court Dimensions
In singles, the court measures 27 feet (8.23 meters) wide and 78 feet (23.77 meters) long. The space from the baseline to the net is exactly 39 feet (11.89 meters) on each side.
Singles matches use only the inner sidelines, meaning the court excludes the doubles alleys. Players should focus on movement patterns and angles within this narrower space, which places greater emphasis on lateral speed and precision.
Additional key markings include:
Service boxes: Each side is split into two 21-foot x 13.5-foot boxes.
Center mark: A 4-inch line in the middle of the baseline helps players position themselves for service.
This configuration is standard across all surfaces, whether hard, clay, or grass.
Doubles Court Dimensions
Doubles matches take place on a wider layout, 36 feet (10.97 meters) across, though the length remains 78 feet just like singles. The difference comes from the extra 4.5 feet on each side, known as the double alleys.
On dual-use courts, all lines are usually marked:
Inner sidelines for singles
Outer sidelines for doubles
Players just need to agree beforehand which lines are in play
Because of the added width, doubles points often feature more net play and angled shots, requiring slightly different tactics and coordination. Court awareness in doubles includes being mindful of those extra boundaries.
Net Height and Related Measurements
While court width and length often get the spotlight, net dimensions play an equally important role in how the game feels, especially for players focused on timing, angles, and net play. Even small discrepancies can throw off volleys, serves, and lobs. So whether you’re setting up a private court or comparing facilities, knowing the exact measurements matters.
The official net height at the center of the court is 3 feet (0.914 meters). At the posts, the net stands slightly higher, 3.5 feet (1.07 meters). That gradual slope from the sides toward the middle gives the net its subtle dip and is consistent across all match types.
The net is held up by posts placed 3 feet (0.914 meters) outside the doubles sidelines. That distance stays fixed, even when the court is used for singles play. On most courts, a singles stick is added to support the net at the correct width for singles matches, while the rest of the net outside those posts remains unused.
What’s important to remember is that net height never changes between singles and doubles. The sidelines shift, but the net stays identical. This consistency helps maintain fair play regardless of format, and keeps training transferable from one setting to another.
Junior Tennis Court Dimensions by Age and Ball Type
Junior tennis isn’t just about smaller racquets and lighter balls, it also uses scaled-down courts to match each stage of development. This approach helps kids build technique, improve coordination, and learn positioning without being overwhelmed by full-sized layouts too early. Court size increases gradually as players advance through red, orange, and green ball formats.
Red Ball (Ages 8 & Under)
For the youngest players, red ball tennis is played on a 36-foot x 18-foot court. It’s often set up across the width of a standard court using temporary lines and a portable net. The court size is intentionally compact to keep rallies manageable and fun.
Ball type: Foam or felt red balls, which bounce slower and lower
Net setup: Mini nets or removable barriers to divide space
Common use cases: School PE classes, beginner lessons, backyard play
This format encourages correct swing paths and movement patterns by matching the equipment to a child’s physical ability.
Orange Ball (Ages 9–10)
As players grow stronger and more confident, they move to the orange ball court, measuring 60 feet x 21 feet for singles and 60 feet x 27 feet for doubles. The extra length gives room for baseline play, while the width matches the scale of their game.
Many facilities don’t have permanent orange ball courts, so clubs often tape temporary lines or use blended lines on standard courts. This lets players transition to longer rallies and more advanced tactics without needing a full-size layout.
Ball type: Orange balls with medium compression
Court setup: Typically three-quarter size on a full court base
Focus: Consistency, depth control, and early tactical skills
Green Ball (Ages 10–12)
The final junior stage uses a full-size court – 78 feet long, with 27 feet width for singles and 36 feet for doubles. What changes is the ball. Green balls are 75% the compression of a standard yellow ball, making them easier to control while still bouncing high enough for full-court play.
This level prepares kids for standard tournament conditions and introduces pace variation, court coverage, and point construction at a more realistic scale.
Ball type: Low-compression green balls
Court type: Full-size court with no need for line modifications
Goal: Bridge to competitive yellow ball matches
With all formats, choosing the right court size means more than just following guidelines, it directly affects skill development. Next, we’ll look at how the layouts of singles, doubles, and junior courts compare side-by-side.
Key Differences Between Singles, Doubles, and Junior Court Layouts
As court size shifts with match format and player age, understanding how layouts compare side by side makes court selection much easier, especially when booking practice or setting up drills. The chart below outlines key distinctions in width, markings, and usage to simplify decision-making.
Comparison Summary
Format
Court Size (ft)
Net Height (center)
Unique Features
Singles
78 x 27
3 ft (0.914 m)
Uses inner sidelines only, no doubles alleys
Doubles
78 x 36
3 ft (0.914 m)
Includes 4.5 ft-wide alleys on each side
Red Ball
36 x 18
Varies (portable)
Played across standard court with mini nets
Orange Ball
60 x 21 (singles)
60 x 27 (doubles)
3 ft standard or modified
Blended or taped lines on standard courts
Green Ball
78 x 27 (singles)
78 x 36 (doubles)
3 ft (0.914 m)
Full-size court with low-compression balls
Key Takeaways:
Singles vs Doubles: The length remains identical, but doubles courts add 4.5 feet on each side, making the court 36 feet wide instead of 27.
Junior Lines: Red and orange ball courts often use temporary or blended lines, not visible on all public courts. Green ball uses full-size courts without modification.
Net Standards: All formats stick to a consistent net height at the center, except red ball setups which may vary with portable equipment.
Surface Consistency: Whether hard, clay, or grass, court dimensions never change. Only the lines and ball type adjust for age and match style.
Having this visual reference simplifies court planning, whether you’re preparing for a doubles match or setting up red ball training. Up next, we’ll look at how TennisPAL helps users filter and choose courts based on these exact layouts.
Choosing the Right Court When Booking with TennisPAL
Understanding tennis court dimensions is only half the equation, actually finding the right space to play is where it counts. That’s where TennisPAL comes in. The app doesn’t just help you find available tennis courts. It helps users book based on the specific match format they’re planning, whether that’s a full-width doubles match or a red ball lesson for an 8-year-old.
Filter by Format
When searching, users can filter courts by singles- or doubles-compatible layouts, ensuring they’re not stepping into a narrow court for a doubles match or showing up to a site without alley lines. Many public facilities support both formats but vary in marking visibility, especially when courts get resurfaced or repainted. The app helps flag those details upfront.
Spot Junior-Friendly Courts
For coaches and parents organizing junior sessions, blended lines or taped junior layouts are easy to miss when booking blindly. TennisPAL helps identify courts that support modified play, whether that means space for a 36-foot red ball court across the baseline or full-length space for orange ball drills. Some listings even highlight if portable nets are allowed or provided, which is key for U8 practice.
Tips for Smarter Court Booking
Check surface types (hard, clay, or synthetic) based on your training focus.
Look for community parks or clubs with multiple formats if you’re running group sessions.
Use reviews and ratings inside the app to avoid overbooked or poorly maintained spaces.
Whether you’re prepping for doubles league play or helping a 10-year-old graduate to green ball, TennisPAL makes court booking easier and more precise. Up next, we’ll wrap up by reinforcing why understanding tennis court sizes isn’t just a technical detail, it directly shapes how players improve and compete.
Final Thoughts: Use Court Dimensions to Play Smarter and Prepare Better
Knowing the exact layout of a tennis court does more than satisfy curiosity, it shapes how players approach every aspect of their game. From how far to run to where to aim a serve, court size influences tactics, spacing, and movement patterns. For coaches and parents, it also ensures kids are developing on surfaces scaled to their stage of growth, not struggling with dimensions that don’t fit their skills yet.
Singles players work with tighter angles and shorter lateral movement. Doubles players rely on court width to build net play and shot variety. Junior players benefit most when the court aligns with their ball type and ability, whether that means a red ball court taped across a baseline or a full-sized court with lower-compression balls.
No matter your experience level, picking the right court makes a difference in how effectively you train and compete. That’s why TennisPAL isn’t just a convenience, it’s a tool that helps users book courts with purpose. Whether you’re dialing in serves for a tournament or organizing a group lesson, finding the right space starts with understanding the layout.
Explore local courts and reserve the format that fits your next session, directly through TennisPAL.
