tl;dr: a standard padel court measures 20m × 10m (interior) with 3m back walls and 4m side walls. the total enclosed footprint is approximately 200 m². all fip-tournament courts share these dimensions, while panoramic courts use the same footprint without corner posts.
padel court dimensions are the first specification to lock in when planning a club, resort, or private installation. get the dimensions wrong and you waste survey fees, foundation work, and architectural approvals. get them right and the rest of the project flows.
this guide covers every number you need: official fip measurements, wall-by-wall specifications, fencing material options, ground requirements, and the common non-standard configurations our team at xtz padel has built across europe, asia, and the americas since 2010.
the official fip court dimensions
the international padel federation (fip) sets the canonical dimensions for competitive play. every tournament-grade court in the world conforms to these numbers, regardless of manufacturer.
interior court footprint: 20m long × 10m wide
this gives a playing area of exactly 200 m². the length runs along the net axis; the width runs along the doubles tramlines.
back walls: 3m height
both end walls measure 3 meters. on full-glass courts these are continuous tempered-glass panels. on metal-mesh courts they typically combine a 1m solid base with 2m of mesh above.
side walls: 4m height
the side walls measure 4 meters. the first 1–2 meters are usually solid (glass or mesh); the upper 2–3 meters are mesh. this stepped profile is what makes padel playable — players can rebound balls off the back walls but not off the side walls in the same way.
net height: 0.88m at center, 1.05m at posts
the net divides the court into two 10m × 10m halves and sags slightly in the middle for visual reference.
wall-by-wall specification table
| wall | height | typical material | purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| back wall (×2) | 3m | 10–12mm tempered glass or solid panel | primary rebound surface |
| side wall lower (×2) | 1–2m | tempered glass or galvanized mesh | rebound + spectator visibility |
| side wall upper (×2) | 2–3m | 50×50mm galvanized steel mesh | containment without blocking view |
| corner posts (×4) | 3m or 4m | structural steel, hot-dip galvanized | frame, anchor, and load transfer |
| top net (optional) | 1m above wall | polypropylene mesh | prevents ball escape at height |
fencing materials: glass vs metal mesh
most padel courts today use one of two wall systems, or a hybrid of both. the choice drives both the player experience and the project budget.
option a: full glass walls
10–12mm tempered glass panels mounted to structural steel posts. glass transmits about 92% of visible light, which makes the court feel open and lets spectators see every shot. glass walls are the standard for premium clubs, tournaments, and panoramic installations.
option b: metal mesh walls
50×50mm galvanized steel mesh with 4mm wire diameter, hot-dip galvanized for corrosion resistance. mesh walls are the budget-friendly choice for multi-court facilities, training academies, and schools where durability and cost-per-court matter more than visual spectacle.
option c: hybrid
most real-world projects combine the two: full glass on the back walls and the lower section of the side walls (where players rebound), then mesh on the upper side walls. this is the configuration we recommend at xtz padel for clubs that want the premium feel without the full-glass price tag.
ground clearance and slope
the playing surface itself has its own specifications, separate from the walls.
flatness tolerance: ±5mm over 2m
this is the maximum deviation you can have across any 2-meter span. exceeding it creates unfair bounces and player complaints. laser screed is the standard tool for achieving this on concrete.
drainage slope: 0.5–1%
a slight gradient toward the side walls or back corners prevents standing water. outdoor courts in rainy climates may slope up to 1%; indoor courts can be near-flat if the building has internal drainage.
surface options
the three common choices are artificial turf (most common, 10–15mm pile height with silica sand infill), painted concrete (cheapest, fastest ball pace), and acrylic-coated concrete (mid-range, all-weather).
non-standard configurations
while the 20×10m court is universal for competitive play, real-world projects sometimes need variations.
half-court (10m × 6m)
a practice-only configuration for private residences, hotel amenities, or tight urban sites. half-courts are not fip-rated but let two or four players train. they typically cost 40–50% of a full court.
double-court layouts
two or four full courts built side-by-side with shared walls. this is the most efficient configuration for clubs and dramatically reduces per-court installation cost. the shared wall is built to the 4m side-wall spec.
indoor vs outdoor
indoor courts need a minimum clear ceiling height of 8m for playable lobs. outdoor courts have no ceiling but need wind-load engineering — typically rated for 25–30 m/s gusts in european coastal areas.
building regulations and site requirements
the court footprint is one constraint. the surrounding site has others.
buffer zone: 4m minimum on each long side, 2m on short sides
players run off the court for wide balls, and that buffer prevents injuries and structural damage. plan for the court plus buffer plus circulation when sizing your plot.
total land requirement per court: roughly 300–350 m² (200 m² court + 100 m² buffer + 50 m² circulation).
wind and snow loads
in europe, courts must comply with en 12810 for structural loads. typical design wind load is 0.5–1.0 kn/m² depending on region. snow load applies only to outdoor courts in alpine areas.
noise regulations
residential-zone installations may need acoustic barriers on the side walls. ball impact on glass generates about 75–80 db at 5m distance; mesh is quieter at 65–70 db.
frequently asked questions
how much space do i need for one padel court?
a single full court needs about 300–350 m² of land including buffers and circulation. if you are building two or more courts, plan 280 m² per additional court since they share walls and circulation.
can i build a padel court in a smaller area?
yes, down to about 80 m² for a practice-only half-court. anything smaller loses the geometry that makes padel playable. for reference, a tennis court needs about 260 m²; padel needs about 300 m².
what is the minimum ceiling height for indoor courts?
8 meters clear height is the fip recommendation for playable lobs. 6 meters works for recreational play but limits shot variety. anything below 5 meters is not considered a real padel court.
do all padel courts have the same dimensions?
yes — the 20m × 10m interior dimension is universal across fip, world padel tour (wpt), and premier padel. manufacturers cannot deviate if the court is meant for sanctioned tournaments.
how tall are padel court walls?
back walls are 3m, side walls are 4m. the 4m side walls are what make padel unique compared to tennis, where walls are not part of the playing surface.
what is the difference between panoramic and standard courts?
both use the same 20×10m footprint. panoramic courts eliminate the corner posts by structurally bonding the glass panels together, giving spectators an unobstructed view from any angle. panoramic courts cost 10–15% more but are the preferred choice for tournament venues.
how long does it take to build one court?
from foundation pour to playable surface: typically 6–8 weeks for an outdoor court, 8–12 weeks for an indoor court. the fencing system itself installs in 3–5 days once the foundation is ready.
key takeaways
1. the standard padel court is 20m × 10m with 3m back walls and 4m side walls.
2. total land per court is 300–350 m² including buffers.
3. glass walls give the premium feel; metal mesh gives the best value.
4. hybrid configurations are the most common choice for clubs.
5. indoor courts need 8m clear ceiling height.
about xtz padel
this guide was prepared by the engineering team at xtz padel, an italian manufacturer of padel court fencing systems since 2010. our courts are certified by the international board on paddleboard tennis and installed across europe, asia, and the americas. for technical specifications, project consultation, or a quote tailored to your site, padel court dimensions reference guide is part of our engineering blog.
