How Big Is a Padel Court? Dimensions & Layout Guide

Whether you're planning a new club, converting an existing sports hall, or just checking if a padel court fits your backyard, the first question is always: how big is a padel court? This guide covers the exact dimensions, the space you need around the court, and how to plan a multi-court facility efficiently.

1. Official Padel Court Dimensions

The playing area of a standard padel court is strictly regulated. The official dimensions are:

• Playing area: 20.00m long x 10.00m wide (65.6ft x 32.8ft)
• Net height: 0.88m at the center, 0.92m at the posts
• Glass walls: 3.00m high at the back and corners, 2.00m high at the sides
• Mesh: extends above the glass to a total enclosure height of 4.00m

2. External Footprint: The Real Space You Need

While the playing area is 20m x 10m, the actual court structure extends slightly beyond that. At Hllye, our courts have an external footprint of approximately 20.40m x 10.40m — this includes the steel pillars and structural frame.

But that's not the whole story. You also need clearance around the court:

• Minimum 1.5m to 2m of space between courts or walls for player movement, out-of-court play, and maintenance access
• Extra viewing areas if you plan to seat spectators or host events
• Service paths for equipment access (lighting maintenance, glass replacement)

3. How Much Land Do You Need for Multiple Courts?

Planning a club with several courts? Here's a quick reference for land requirements (including the recommended 2m clearance between courts):

Note: these are planning estimates. Our engineering team can help you optimize the exact layout for your site.

4. Indoor vs Outdoor Space Requirements

• Indoor: A standard sports hall ceiling height of at least 7m is comfortable (the court enclosure is 4m tall). Check that the hall length (ideally 30m+) can fit courts plus clearance.
• Outdoor: You have more freedom, but remember to account for drainage, wind exposure, and lighting poles. The glass panels (12mm tempered) perform best in sheltered or semi-sheltered locations.
• Leased or temporary land: Our Portable Court uses the same playing dimensions but sits on a self-supporting steel base — no foundation or permanent structure needed.

5. Container and Logistics Dimensions

If you're importing courts, the shipping footprint matters too. A standard 40ft High Cube (40HQ) container holds exactly 3 complete courts — glass, steel structure, turf, and lighting poles. Ordering in multiples of 3 is the most cost-effective way to ship.

Each court weighs roughly 3–4 tons (mostly the tempered glass), so a solid foundation — typically a reinforced concrete ring beam (40cm x 40cm) plus a porous slab — is essential for permanent installations.

6. Final Checklist Before You Buy

• ✅ Confirm your site has at least 23m x 14m per court including clearance
• ✅ For indoor, verify ceiling height of 7m+ and hall dimensions
• ✅ Check access for a 40HQ container if importing
• ✅ Plan foundation works (ring beam + slab) for permanent courts
• ✅ Use our cost calculator to estimate the total project