A standard tennis court measures 78 feet long. It is 27 feet wide for singles and 36 feet wide for doubles. The marked court is the same length for both formats; doubles simply uses the wider outside sidelines.
Knowing these measurements helps you understand where a ball is in or out, plan a backyard court, or make sense of the angles players use. The dimensions are the same on grass, clay, hard courts, and indoor courts, though the surface can change how the ball bounces and moves.
Standard Tennis Court Dimensions at a Glance
| Feature | Feet and inches | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Court length | 78 feet | 23.77 m |
| Singles court width | 27 feet | 8.23 m |
| Doubles court width | 36 feet | 10.97 m |
| Net height at the center | 3 feet | 0.914 m |
| Net height at the posts | 3 feet 6 inches | 1.07 m |
The 78-by-36-foot measurement describes the full doubles court, including its boundary lines. For singles, play uses the inner sidelines, making the playing area 78 by 27 feet. The measurements are taken to the outside edges of the boundary lines, so a ball touching a line is in.
How the Court Lines Are Arranged
The net divides the court into two equal ends, each 39 feet deep from the net to the baseline. The baseline runs across the back of each end. The singles sidelines mark the narrower court, while the doubles sidelines sit 4.5 feet farther out on each side. That strip between the singles and doubles sidelines is called the doubles alley.
The service lines sit 21 feet from the net on each side. A center service line runs from the net to each service line, splitting the area near the net into left and right service boxes. Each service box measures 21 feet long by 13.5 feet wide. Serves must land in the diagonally opposite box.
A small center mark at the middle of each baseline helps players line up for a serve. It also marks where a player must stand when serving from the right or left half of the court.
Singles and Doubles: What Changes?
Singles and doubles share the same length, net, service boxes, and baselines. The main difference is which sidelines count as boundaries. In singles, a shot landing in the doubles alley is out. In doubles, the alley is in, giving teams extra width to cover.
That extra width changes the tactics. A singles player can use a crosscourt angle to pull an opponent away from the middle, but the shot still has to land inside the narrower singles sideline. In doubles, the wider court offers more space for angled returns and serves, while partners must communicate to cover the added ground.
Net Height and Line Width
The net is 3 feet high at its center and 3 feet 6 inches high at the posts. A center strap holds it down to the required middle height. The extra height near the posts matters when a player aims close to the sideline: the ball has to clear the net, not just the lower center section.
Most court lines are 2 inches wide. The baseline can be wider, up to 4 inches. Line width is part of the playing area, which is why a ball that clips the paint is considered good.
Playing Area Versus Court Size
The marked court is not the whole space players need. Run-off area behind the baselines and beside the sidelines gives players room to chase shots safely. For planning purposes, a common full-size court layout uses a footprint of about 120 by 60 feet. The exact space needed can depend on the facility, fencing, lighting, and the rules or standards it follows.
For example, a court that is exactly 78 by 36 feet may have the correct playing dimensions but little or no room outside the lines. That can make it uncomfortable or unsafe to play on. If you are building or resurfacing a court, check local requirements and consult a court contractor before setting the final footprint.
Quick Measuring Tips
- Measure the playing length from the outside edge of one baseline to the outside edge of the other.
- For doubles, measure 36 feet across between the outside edges of the doubles sidelines.
- For singles, use the inner sidelines, which are 27 feet apart.
- Check that each service line is 21 feet from the net on its side.
- Leave space beyond the marked court for safe movement and any fencing or equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all tennis courts the same size?
Regulation court dimensions are the same for singles and doubles, and they do not change by surface or location. Singles uses the inner sidelines; doubles uses the outer sidelines.
How wide is a tennis court for singles?
A singles court is 27 feet wide and 78 feet long. The doubles alleys are outside the singles sidelines and do not count during singles play.
How far is the service line from the net?
Each service line is 21 feet from the net. Since the net is halfway along the 78-foot court, the service line is 18 feet from the baseline.
Is the net the same height across its full width?
No. It is 3 feet high in the middle and 3 feet 6 inches high at the posts. The center strap keeps the middle at the required height.
Final Thoughts
A regulation tennis court is 78 feet long, with a width of 27 feet for singles or 36 feet for doubles. The service lines, alleys, and net dimensions shape how players serve, defend, and create angles. If you are measuring a court for construction, remember that the playing lines are only part of the space needed—the run-off area matters too.
