A regulation tennis court is 78 feet long. Its width depends on the match: 27 feet for singles and 36 feet for doubles. Those measurements describe the marked playing area, not the extra space players need to run safely beyond the lines.
In metric units, the court is 23.77 metres long, 8.23 metres wide for singles, and 10.97 metres wide for doubles. The dimensions are the same on grass, clay, hard courts, and indoor courts. What changes from one venue to another is the surface, the surrounding clearance, and sometimes the way the lines look against the court.
Official tennis court dimensions
| Measurement | Feet | Metres |
|---|---|---|
| Court length | 78 ft | 23.77 m |
| Singles court width | 27 ft | 8.23 m |
| Doubles court width | 36 ft | 10.97 m |
| Singles playing area | 2,106 sq ft | 195.7 sq m |
| Doubles playing area | 2,808 sq ft | 260.9 sq m |
The court is one rectangle for both formats. The singles sidelines mark the narrower court; in doubles, the extra strips along each side, called the doubles alleys, count as in. That is why a doubles court is nine feet wider overall, adding four and a half feet on either side of the singles court.
How the lines divide the court
The net splits the 78-foot court into two equal halves, so each player’s side extends 39 feet from the net to the baseline. On each side, the service line sits 21 feet from the net. The service line and net create two service boxes, each 21 feet long and 13.5 feet wide. The centre service line divides those boxes into left and right targets.
That layout explains a common point of confusion: the service boxes are not the whole area a player can hit into. A serve must land in the diagonally opposite service box, but after the return, shots can land anywhere inside the relevant singles or doubles sidelines and behind the net.
Line measurements are taken to the outside edge of the lines, so a ball touching a line is in. Most court lines are between one and two inches wide, with baselines allowed to be wider—up to four inches. The lines are part of the court boundary, not extra space beyond it.
The net and its height
The net is three feet high at the centre and three feet six inches high at the posts. It is pulled down at the middle by a strap, which creates its familiar dip. For singles, net posts or singles sticks are positioned just outside the singles sidelines; the net itself still spans the full width used for the match.
That slight difference in height matters. A shot aimed close to the middle of the net has more clearance to work with than one hit near the posts. Players use that geometry when choosing a safe crosscourt rally ball or trying to pull an opponent wide.
How much space does a tennis court need?
The 78-by-36-foot doubles rectangle is the marked playing area, not necessarily the full footprint needed to build a usable court. Players need room behind the baselines to chase lobs and retrieve deep shots, as well as space beside the sidelines for wide balls and movement.
A common planning figure for a court with reasonable run-off space is about 120 feet long by 60 feet wide (36.58 by 18.29 metres). That is roughly 7,200 square feet, or 669 square metres. It is a useful guide for a backyard or facility plan, but local rules, the level of play, fencing, lighting, and site conditions can affect the space required. For a new build, check local requirements and consult a court contractor before marking out the site.
For casual practice, a smaller area may work for drills or mini-tennis, but it won’t provide the same freedom to chase shots as a full court. Also consider what surrounds the playing area: a fence, wall, tree, or neighboring path too close to the baseline can turn a playable-looking court into an awkward or unsafe one.
Why the dimensions matter during play
The court is long enough to make depth a constant tactical question. A ball that lands near the baseline can push an opponent back and open space for the next shot. A short ball, by contrast, invites the player to move forward and take time away. Since each half is 39 feet deep, changing the ball’s depth can shift an opponent’s position by several steps.
Width creates another trade-off. Crosscourt shots travel over the lower middle portion of the net and have more court to land in than shots hit straight down the line. The doubles alleys make that target wider in doubles, but they are out in singles. Players who are used to doubles can find the narrower singles boundaries surprisingly unforgiving until they adjust their aim.
Serving also depends on the markings. The server stands behind the baseline and aims diagonally into a service box only 13.5 feet wide. Aiming near the sideline can pull the returner off balance, but it leaves less margin for error than serving toward the middle of the box. The court’s fixed dimensions make that balance between placement and safety part of every service game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tennis court bigger for doubles?
The length stays 78 feet, but the doubles court is 36 feet wide compared with 27 feet for singles. The extra width comes from the two doubles alleys, which are in during doubles and out during singles.
How many square feet is a tennis court?
The marked singles playing area is 2,106 square feet. The full doubles playing area is 2,808 square feet. These figures do not include the run-off space around the lines.
Are tennis courts the same size on every surface?
Yes. Regulation court dimensions are the same on clay, grass, hard courts, and indoor courts. Surface speed and bounce can differ, but the marked length and width do not.
How much land is needed to build a court?
A common planning estimate is about 120 by 60 feet, including space beyond the lines. The exact amount depends on the intended use and local requirements, so confirm the site plan with a qualified court builder.
Final Thoughts
A regulation tennis court measures 78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles or 36 feet wide for doubles. Those simple numbers shape the service boxes, the boundaries, and the tactical choices players make on every point. If you’re measuring a space for a court, remember to plan for the run-off area too—the playing lines are only part of the footprint.
