Padel Court Size & Dimensions: Complete Guide with Diagrams

By Gary, founder of RacketRise. Playing padel in the UK and tracking the sport's explosive growth.

Last Updated: March 2026

Quick Summary

• A standard padel court measures 20m long x 10m wide — that's 200 square metres, roughly a third the size of a tennis court
• Walls are a mix of glass and metal mesh, with back walls reaching 4m of glass plus mesh above, and the net sits at 88cm centre height
• Building a padel court in the UK costs £60,000-£120,000, including glass walls, surface, and lighting
• Find courts near you — use the RacketRise Court Finder to find padel and pickleball courts across the UK

Whether you're planning to build a padel court, converting existing sports facilities, or simply curious about the padel court dimensions that make this sport so unique, this guide covers everything. Every measurement, every specification, and every detail — sourced from FIP (International Padel Federation) and LTA standards.

Quick Answer: A regulation padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide (200 sq m), enclosed by tempered glass and metal mesh walls. Back walls are 4m of glass with mesh above. The net is 88cm at the centre and 92cm at the posts. The service line sits 6.95m from the net. The standard surface is artificial grass with sand infill. Indoor courts need a minimum ceiling height of 6m, with 8m recommended.

Table of Contents

• Official Padel Court Dimensions
• Court Diagram: Full Layout Description
• Net Specifications
• Service Boxes and Lines
• Wall Specifications: Glass and Mesh
• Door and Entry Positions
• Minimum Height Clearance
• Court Surface Types
• Padel vs Tennis vs Pickleball vs Badminton vs Squash: Court Size Comparison
• Indoor vs Outdoor Padel Courts
• Cost of Building a Padel Court in the UK
• Mini Padel and Singles Courts
• How Padel Courts Fit Within Existing Facilities
• Sources & Further Reading
• Related Articles
• Frequently Asked Questions

Official Padel Court Dimensions

A regulation padel court, as defined by the FIP and adopted by the LTA in the UK, measures 20 metres long by 10 metres wide. That gives a total playing area of 200 square metres — significantly smaller than a tennis court (260 sq m) but larger than a squash court (62 sq m).

The court is divided into two equal halves by the net, so each side is 10m deep and 10m wide. Unlike tennis, there is no space beyond the baseline — the back wall is the boundary. The ball stays enclosed within the glass and mesh structure that surrounds the entire playing area.

Here are the key measurements at a glance:

Dimension	Measurement	Notes
Total length	20m	Divided by net into two 10m halves
Total width	10m	Full width, wall to wall
Total area	200 sq m	vs 260 sq m for tennis
Net height (centre)	88cm	Lower than tennis (91.4cm)
Net height (posts)	92cm	Rises slightly at the sides
Net width	10m	Spans the full court width
Service line distance from net	6.95m	On each side
Service box width	5m	Court split in half by centre service line
Service box depth	6.95m	From the net to the service line
Back wall height (glass)	4m (minimum 3m)	Solid tempered glass
Back wall total height	4m-5m	Glass plus mesh above
Side wall height (back section)	4m	First 4m from back wall
Minimum ceiling height (indoor)	6m	8m recommended

These are FIP regulation dimensions. Every padel court built to competition standard in the UK follows these specifications. Some older or non-regulation courts may vary slightly, but the overwhelming majority of UK courts built since 2020 adhere to the full FIP standard.

Tolerance and Margins

The FIP allows a tolerance of 0.5% on the overall length and width. That means a court could be as short as 19.9m or as long as 20.1m and still meet regulation standards. In practice, professional court manufacturers build to exact specifications, so you'll rarely encounter meaningful variation.

The playing lines on the court (service line, centre line) must be 5cm wide and clearly visible against the court surface.

Court Diagram: Full Layout Description

[IMAGE SUGGESTION: Overhead diagram of a padel court with all dimensions labelled — 20m length, 10m width, service boxes, service lines, centre line, net, glass wall sections, mesh sections, and door openings clearly marked]

Here is a detailed text description of the court layout, as viewed from above:

The overall rectangle is 20m long and 10m wide, fully enclosed by walls on all four sides.

The net runs across the exact centre of the court, dividing it into two equal halves of 10m x 10m. The net spans the full 10m width.

On each side of the net, the court is divided into two service boxes. A centre service line runs from the net to the service line, splitting each half into a left service box (5m wide) and a right service box (5m wide).

The service line runs parallel to the net at a distance of 6.95m from the net (or equivalently, 3.05m from the back wall). This creates two zones on each side:

• The service boxes (from the net to the service line) — 6.95m deep x 5m wide each
• The back zone (from the service line to the back wall) — 3.05m deep x 10m wide

The back walls are at each short end of the court (the 10m-wide ends). These are a combination of glass at the bottom and metal mesh above.

The side walls run along the two long sides (the 20m-long sides). These start as full-height glass nearest the back wall and transition to lower glass with mesh, then to mesh only, as they approach the net end.

Door openings are positioned in the mesh sections of the side walls, usually one or two on each side, allowing players to enter and exit the court — and, at advanced level, to chase down balls that have gone over the back wall.

Net Specifications

The padel net runs across the full 10-metre width of the court and sits at the exact midpoint of the 20m length.

Net Specification	Measurement
Width	10m
Height at centre	88cm
Height at posts	92cm
Maximum drop at centre	5cm lower than posts
Net post height	1.05m maximum

The net is 88cm high at the centre and 92cm at the posts — that's a 4cm sag from post to centre. For comparison, a tennis net is 91.4cm at the centre and 107cm at the posts. The lower padel net encourages attacking play at the net, making volleys and flat shots more effective.

The net posts sit just outside the court width or are integrated into the side walls, depending on the court design. The top of each post must not exceed 1.05m in height. A cable or band runs along the top of the net to maintain tension.

The net mesh must be small enough that a padel ball cannot pass through it. The ball is approximately 6.35-6.77cm in diameter, so the net mesh openings are significantly smaller than this.

Service Boxes and Lines

Each half of the court contains two service boxes, created by two lines:

The service line runs parallel to the net at a distance of 6.95m from the net on each side. This is the back boundary of the service boxes.

The centre service line runs perpendicular to the net, from the net to the service line, dividing each half into two equal service boxes. Each box is 5m wide and 6.95m deep.

When serving, the player stands behind the service line in the back zone (the 3.05m strip between the service line and the back wall). The serve must land in the diagonally opposite service box — just as in tennis.

The area behind the service line (3.05m deep) has no internal markings. It's simply the zone where the server stands and where much of the defensive play happens during rallies.

Service Box Feature	Measurement
Service box depth	6.95m (from net to service line)
Service box width	5m (half the court width)
Service box area	34.75 sq m each
Distance from service line to back wall	3.05m
Centre service line length	6.95m
Line width	5cm

Court Tip: The 6.95m service line measurement is one of the most commonly mis-stated figures in padel. Some sources round it to 7m, others say 3m from the back wall. The FIP specification is precise: 6.95m from the net, which leaves exactly 3.05m between the service line and the back wall.

Wall Specifications: Glass and Mesh

The walls are what make a padel court a padel court. They're not just barriers — they're playing surfaces. Understanding the wall layout is essential for both players and anyone planning to build a court.

Back Walls

The back walls (at each 10m-wide end of the court) are the most substantial:

• Bottom section: 4 metres of solid tempered glass (minimum 3m under some specifications)
• Upper section: Metal mesh from the top of the glass to a total height of 4m to 5m
• Total height: Typically 4m-5m

The glass must be 10-12mm tempered safety glass, strong enough to withstand repeated ball impacts at high speed. At professional level, balls can be struck at over 150 km/h, and the glass must absorb this energy without cracking or shattering. Tempered glass, if it does break, crumbles into small granular pieces rather than sharp shards — a critical safety requirement.

The back wall glass produces a predictable, consistent rebound. When the ball bounces on the court and then hits the back glass, it comes back towards the playing area with enough energy that players can track it and play it off the wall. This is the fundamental mechanic that makes padel unique.

Side Walls

The side walls are more complex. They run along the full 20m length of the court on each side, but they're not uniform. The wall height and material change as you move from the back wall towards the net end:

First section (nearest the back wall): Approximately 4m of length with 4m-high glass. This section provides a solid, predictable rebound surface near the back corners — where a large proportion of wall play occurs.

Second section (middle): The glass steps down to approximately 3m high, with metal mesh above to maintain the overall enclosure height. This transition zone reduces the predictable glass rebound area as you move towards the net.

Final section (nearest the net): Only metal mesh, typically stepping down further. This section is lower and more open.

The exact layout varies between manufacturers, but the FIP standards define minimum requirements. The key principle is consistent: glass near the back for predictable rebounds, mesh near the front where wall play is less common.

Wall Section	Material	Typical Height	Purpose
Back wall (lower)	Tempered glass (10-12mm)	4m	Predictable ball rebound
Back wall (upper)	Metal mesh	1m above glass	Enclosure, ball containment
Side wall (back section, ~4m length)	Tempered glass	4m	Wall play rebounds
Side wall (middle section)	Glass (lower) + mesh (upper)	3m glass + mesh	Transition zone
Side wall (front section)	Metal mesh only	Varies (1-3m)	Enclosure only

Why Glass and Mesh Behave Differently

Glass is rigid and smooth. When a padel ball hits tempered glass, it rebounds with significant energy and at a predictable angle. Players can anticipate where the ball will go after hitting the glass, making wall play a skill that can be developed and mastered.

Metal mesh is flexible and textured. It absorbs the ball's energy on contact, producing a dead or near-dead rebound. The ball barely comes back off the mesh. During rallies, if the ball hits the mesh after bouncing, it's technically still in play but practically unreturnable. On serve, if the ball bounces in the service box and then hits the mesh, it's a fault.

This glass-versus-mesh distinction is one of the most important rules in padel. For a full breakdown of how wall play works, see our guide on how to play padel.

Door and Entry Positions

Players need to get in and out of the enclosed court, and at advanced levels, they may need to leave mid-rally to chase a ball that has cleared the back wall. The FIP specifies openings in the court walls for this purpose.

Standard configuration: One or two openings on each side of the court, positioned in the mesh sections of the side walls (towards the net end, away from the glass). Each opening is typically 0.82m wide and 2m high — wide enough for a player to pass through quickly, but not so wide that it significantly affects the wall structure.

Some court designs have a single central opening on each side. Others have two openings — one on each side of the net on each wall. The exact configuration depends on the court manufacturer and the facility's layout, but FIP standards require at least one access point on each side.

The door openings do not have doors that swing open during play. They are simply gaps in the mesh fencing. Some facilities add small gates or barriers for safety when courts are adjacent to walkways, but during play, the openings remain clear.

Fun Fact: One of padel's most spectacular moments is when a player leaves the court through a side opening to retrieve a ball that has bounced on their side and then gone over the back wall. It's legal, it's dramatic, and it happens regularly at professional level. At club level, let the ball go and concede the point graciously.

Minimum Height Clearance

Indoor padel courts require sufficient ceiling height for the ball to travel naturally without hitting overhead obstructions.

Venue Type	Minimum Ceiling Height	Recommended Height
Indoor (competition)	6m	8m or higher
Indoor (recreational)	6m	7m+
Outdoor	N/A (open air)	N/A
Covered outdoor	6m minimum	8m+

The FIP specifies a minimum free height of 6 metres above the entire court surface for indoor installations. However, 8 metres is strongly recommended and is the standard for any venue hosting competitive play. The extra height allows for high lobs, smashes, and the natural trajectory of the ball without interference.

This ceiling height requirement is one reason why many padel courts are built outdoors or in purpose-built structures. Converting existing indoor spaces (such as warehouses, sports halls, or unused retail units) requires checking that ceiling height meets the minimum standard. A standard sports hall in the UK typically has a ceiling height of 7-9m, which works well for padel.

Lighting must also be considered — fixtures should be mounted above the minimum height clearance and positioned to avoid glare for players looking up at lobs.

Court Surface Types

The playing surface of a padel court affects ball bounce, player movement, and overall gameplay. The FIP recognises several surface types, but one dominates globally and in the UK.

Artificial Grass with Sand Infill (Standard)

The overwhelming majority of padel courts worldwide — and virtually all UK courts — use artificial grass (synthetic turf) with sand infill. This is the standard surface for both indoor and outdoor installations.

The artificial grass is short-pile (typically 10-15mm fibre height) with fine sand spread between the fibres. The sand provides weight, stability, and affects how the ball bounces and how players slide.

Why it's preferred:

• Consistent ball bounce regardless of weather
• Allows controlled sliding (a key movement technique in padel)
• Comfortable underfoot — lower impact on joints than hard surfaces
• Good drainage for outdoor courts
• Durable with proper maintenance (lifespan of 5-8 years)

The sand infill needs periodic topping up and brushing to maintain an even distribution. Neglected courts develop patches where the sand has shifted, creating inconsistent bounce and footing.

Other Surface Types

Surface	Usage	Pros	Cons
Artificial grass + sand	Standard (95%+ of courts)	Consistent bounce, allows sliding, comfortable	Requires sand maintenance
Concrete / acrylic	Rare, some older courts	Very durable, low maintenance	Hard on joints, no sliding, fast bounce
Carpet / synthetic carpet	Rare, some indoor courts	Soft underfoot	Inconsistent wear, limited sliding
Porous concrete	Very rare	Good drainage	Hard surface, limited play quality

If you're visiting a new venue, the surface will almost certainly be artificial grass with sand infill. The only time you might encounter something different is at older facilities that were converted from other sports or temporary installations.

Padel vs Tennis vs Pickleball vs Badminton vs Squash: Court Size Comparison

One of the most common questions from people new to padel is how the court compares to other racket sports. Here's the full comparison:

Feature	Padel	Tennis	Pickleball	Badminton	Squash
Length	20m	23.77m	13.41m	13.4m	9.75m
Width	10m	10.97m (doubles)	6.1m	6.1m (doubles)	6.4m
Area	200 sq m	260.9 sq m	81.7 sq m	81.7 sq m	62.4 sq m
Enclosed	Yes (glass + mesh)	No	No	No	Yes (solid walls)
Net height (centre)	88cm	91.4cm	86.4cm	155cm	N/A
Net height (posts/edges)	92cm	107cm	91.4cm	155cm	N/A
Surface	Artificial grass	Clay/grass/hard	Concrete/acrylic	Wood/synthetic	Wood/resin
Players	2 or 4 (almost always 4)	1 or 2 per side	1 or 2 per side	1 or 2 per side	2 (or 4 in doubles)
Walls in play	Yes	No	No	No	Yes

Key Takeaways from the Comparison

Padel vs tennis: A padel court is roughly 77% the size of a tennis court. The width is almost identical (10m vs 10.97m), but a padel court is about 3.77m shorter. The enclosed walls make the effective playing area feel even larger than the raw dimensions suggest, because balls that would be "out" in tennis stay in play off the glass.

Padel vs pickleball: A padel court is nearly 2.5 times larger than a pickleball court. Padel is enclosed with walls; pickleball is open. Both sports are booming in the UK but they play very differently. For a detailed comparison, see our padel vs pickleball guide.

Padel vs squash: Both sports use walls as playing surfaces, but padel courts are over three times larger than squash courts (200 sq m vs 62.4 sq m). Squash is played in a fully enclosed room with four solid walls and no net, while padel uses glass and mesh with a net dividing the court.

Space efficiency: A padel court fits into a smaller footprint than a tennis court, making it attractive for facilities with limited space. Two padel courts can fit approximately into the space occupied by one tennis court — a fact that many tennis clubs are capitalising on as they add padel to their offering.

Indoor vs Outdoor Padel Courts

Both indoor and outdoor padel courts follow the same FIP dimensions. The differences are practical rather than regulatory.

Factor	Indoor Courts	Outdoor Courts
Weather dependency	None — year-round play	Subject to rain, wind, temperature
Ceiling height required	Minimum 6m (8m recommended)	N/A (open air)
Ball behaviour	Consistent	Wind affects trajectory
Lighting	Artificial — fully controlled	Natural light + artificial for evening play
Court cost	Higher (structure costs)	Lower (no roof)
Hourly rate	Typically £5-£10 more	Usually cheaper
Maintenance	Lower (no weather exposure)	Higher (surface weathering, drainage)
Player preference	Preferred for regular play in the UK	Popular in summer months

Covered Outdoor Courts

Many UK venues have adopted a middle ground: covered outdoor courts. These have a canopy or roof structure that protects from rain but leave the sides open. They offer weather protection without the full cost of indoor construction and maintain a minimum ceiling height above 6m.

Covered outdoor courts are becoming increasingly popular in the UK because they extend the playable season significantly. British weather makes uncovered outdoor padel unreliable from November to March, but a covered court can be used year-round.

Wind and Outdoor Play

Wind is the biggest practical challenge for outdoor padel. The ball is relatively light and affected by wind more than, say, a tennis ball. Strong crosswinds can alter ball trajectory, make lobs unpredictable, and generally change the feel of the game. Mesh side walls do not block wind the way solid walls do.

Most competitive padel is played indoors for this reason. Social and recreational play outdoors works perfectly well in calm conditions.

Ready to play? Find padel courts near you with the RacketRise Court Finder.

Cost of Building a Padel Court in the UK

If you're considering building a padel court — whether as a commercial venture, a facility upgrade, or a private installation — here's what you can expect to spend.

Cost Breakdown Per Court

Component	Estimated Cost	Notes
Glass walls and metal structure	£25,000-£45,000	Tempered glass panels, steel frame, mesh
Court surface (artificial grass + sand)	£8,000-£15,000	Including base preparation
Groundwork and foundations	£5,000-£15,000	Depends on existing surface
Lighting (LED floodlights)	£3,000-£8,000	4-8 LED units per court
Net and posts	£500-£1,500	FIP-standard net system
Installation and labour	£10,000-£20,000	Specialist installation team
Planning and permissions	£2,000-£5,000	Local authority dependent
Total per court	£60,000-£120,000	Varies by specification and location

Why the Wide Range?

The cost difference between £60,000 and £120,000 per court comes down to several factors:

Specification level. Budget courts use thinner glass, simpler structures, and basic lighting. Premium courts use 12mm tempered glass, powder-coated steel frames, integrated LED lighting, and higher-grade artificial turf.

Indoor vs outdoor. The figures above are for the court itself. If you need to build a structure to house indoor courts, add £100,000-£300,000+ for the building, depending on size and specification.

Location. London and the South East are more expensive for groundwork and labour. Northern England, Scotland, and Wales tend to be cheaper.

Quantity. Building multiple courts reduces the per-court cost, because the structural frame, groundwork, and installation can be shared. A four-court facility might cost £70,000-£90,000 per court, while a single standalone court sits at the higher end.

UK Investment in Padel Courts

The LTA has invested over £6 million into padel court development in the UK, including £4.5 million to fund 80 new courts at 42 venues. Major operators like Game4Padel, The Padel Club, and Pure Padel are building multi-court venues across the country.

As of mid-2025, the UK has over 1,000 padel courts across 325 venues, growing from just 68 courts in 2019. The LTA projects 1,300+ courts by the end of 2026.

Facility Tip: If you're a tennis club considering adding padel courts, speak to the LTA about their padel development programme. Grants and funding may be available, and the LTA has partnered with court suppliers to streamline the build process.

The honest take: If you're thinking about building padel courts, the numbers look great on paper. But the real challenge in the UK isn't the build cost — it's planning permission and getting the footfall to make the investment pay off. Courts in London fill themselves. Courts outside major cities need serious marketing and community building to hit occupancy targets. Do your due diligence on local demand before committing £100k+.

Mini Padel and Singles Courts

Standard padel is played as doubles on a 20m x 10m court. But there's a growing interest in smaller court formats, particularly for singles play and venues with limited space.

Singles Padel Courts

A singles padel court measures approximately 20m long x 6m wide — the same length as a standard court but 4m narrower. This reduces the playing area from 200 sq m to 120 sq m, making it manageable for two players instead of four.

Singles padel is rare in the UK and globally. The sport was designed for doubles, and most courts are built to the standard 10m width. However, some venues in Spain and South America have experimented with singles courts, and there's growing interest as the sport expands into facilities where space is at a premium.

Mini Padel

Some venues offer mini padel — a scaled-down version of the game designed for children, beginners, or demonstration purposes. Mini padel courts are typically around 16m x 8m or smaller, with lower walls and modified equipment.

Mini padel is primarily used for:

• Junior coaching programmes
• School and community outreach
• Taster sessions at events and festivals
• Venues where a full-size court doesn't fit

The LTA has supported mini padel initiatives as part of its grassroots development strategy, recognising that smaller courts lower the barrier to entry for new players — especially younger ones.

Court Format	Length	Width	Area	Typical Use
Standard doubles	20m	10m	200 sq m	Standard play (4 players)
Singles	20m	6m	120 sq m	Singles play (2 players) — rare
Mini padel	~16m	~8m	~128 sq m	Juniors, beginners, events

How Padel Courts Fit Within Existing Facilities

One reason padel is growing so rapidly in the UK is that courts can be installed in spaces that already exist — tennis clubs, sports centres, car parks, and even unused retail or industrial units.

Two Padel Courts in One Tennis Court Space

This is the statistic that gets tennis club committees excited: approximately two padel courts can fit into the space of one tennis court. A tennis court (including run-off areas) occupies roughly 36m x 18m (648 sq m). A padel court, including its walls and a small surrounding buffer zone, requires approximately 24m x 14m (336 sq m) per court.

Two padel courts side by side need roughly 24m x 26m (624 sq m) — just under the footprint of a single tennis court with its run-offs. This means a tennis club with underused courts can potentially double the number of playing spaces available.

Conversion Considerations

If you're converting existing facilities, here are the key things to check:

Ceiling height (indoor). As covered above, you need a minimum of 6m (8m preferred). Standard sports halls usually meet this. Warehouse or retail conversions may not.

Floor condition. The court surface (artificial grass + sand) needs a flat, solid base. Existing hard courts, concrete slabs, or compacted aggregate can work. Uneven or soft ground needs preparation.

Drainage (outdoor). Outdoor courts need adequate drainage beneath the surface to prevent waterlogging. Existing tennis court drainage systems often work with modification.

Access and parking. Padel courts need player access, equipment storage, and ideally changing facilities. Adding courts to an existing sports venue usually covers these requirements. Standalone installations may need additional planning.

Planning permission. Padel courts are classified as sports facilities and usually require planning permission from the local authority, particularly for the glass walls and any lighting. The process varies by council, but the LTA has guidance available for venues navigating the planning process.

Popular Conversion Scenarios

Existing Space	Padel Courts Possible	Notes
1 tennis court	2 padel courts	Most common conversion
Sports hall (indoor)	2-4 padel courts	Check ceiling height (6m min)
Car park / hardstanding	1-6+ padel courts	Needs groundwork and planning
Warehouse / industrial unit	2-6+ padel courts	Check ceiling height
Unused retail space	1-4 padel courts	Structural assessment needed

Sources & Further Reading

• FIP — Official Rules of Padel — International Padel Federation standards, including official court dimensions and specifications
• LTA Padel — 1,000 courts milestone — Court growth from 68 in 2019 to 1,000 in July 2025
• LTA Padel — Over 400,000 players — Official participation and court growth statistics for Great Britain
• The Padel Directory — UK market guide — Market size, court costs, and industry forecasts
• Playtomic — Padel court dimensions — Court dimensions and basic specifications

Related Articles

• What Is Padel? The Complete UK Beginner's Guide
• How to Play Padel: Rules, Scoring & Court Layout
• Padel vs Pickleball: Which Should You Play?
• Pickleball Court Size & Dimensions
• Best Padel Rackets for Beginners UK
• Padel Courts London: Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the official dimensions of a padel court?

A regulation padel court measures 20 metres long by 10 metres wide, giving a total playing area of 200 square metres. The court is divided in half by a net that spans the full 10m width. Each half is further divided into two service boxes by a centre service line, with the service line positioned 6.95m from the net. These dimensions are set by the FIP (International Padel Federation) and adopted by the LTA for all UK courts.

How high is the net in padel?

The padel net is 88cm high at the centre and 92cm at the posts — a 4cm sag across the 10m span. This is lower than a tennis net (91.4cm centre, 107cm posts) and slightly higher than a pickleball net (86.4cm centre). The lower net height in padel encourages net play, volleys, and attacking shots, which are a central part of the sport's tactics.

How tall are the walls on a padel court?

The back walls consist of 4 metres of tempered glass (minimum 3m) with metal mesh above, reaching a total height of 4-5 metres. The side walls start at 4m of glass nearest the back wall, then transition to shorter glass with mesh, and finally to mesh only near the net end. The glass panels are typically 10-12mm tempered safety glass, designed to withstand repeated high-speed ball impacts.

How much does it cost to build a padel court in the UK?

A single padel court costs between £60,000 and £120,000 in the UK, including glass walls, metal structure, artificial grass surface, lighting, groundwork, and installation. Premium courts with higher-specification glass and lighting sit at the top end. Building multiple courts reduces the per-court cost. This does not include the cost of a building for indoor courts, which can add £100,000-£300,000+.

Can you fit a padel court inside a tennis court?

Approximately two padel courts can fit within the space of one tennis court (including run-off areas). A tennis court with run-offs occupies roughly 36m x 18m (648 sq m). Two padel courts side by side, including buffer zones, need approximately 24m x 26m (624 sq m). This is why many tennis clubs are converting underused courts to padel — they effectively double their playing spaces.

What surface do padel courts use?

The standard surface for padel courts worldwide is artificial grass (synthetic turf) with sand infill. The short-pile turf (10-15mm fibre height) with fine sand provides consistent ball bounce, allows players to slide during play, and is comfortable underfoot. Some older or non-standard courts use concrete, acrylic, or carpet surfaces, but these are rare. The artificial grass surface has a typical lifespan of 5-8 years before needing replacement.

What is the minimum ceiling height for an indoor padel court?

The FIP specifies a minimum free height of 6 metres above the entire court surface for indoor padel courts. However, 8 metres is strongly recommended and is the standard for competitive play. Standard UK sports halls (typically 7-9m ceiling height) generally meet this requirement. Warehouse or retail conversions should be carefully measured, as insufficient ceiling height will make lobs and high shots impractical.

How does a padel court compare in size to a pickleball court?

A padel court (20m x 10m, 200 sq m) is nearly 2.5 times larger than a pickleball court (13.41m x 6.1m, 81.7 sq m). Padel courts are enclosed with glass walls and metal mesh; pickleball courts are open with no enclosure. Both sports are growing rapidly in the UK, but they offer very different playing experiences. For a full comparison, see our guide to pickleball court dimensions.

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Free Download: Padel Court Dimensions Diagram

A printable, labelled diagram of a regulation padel court — every measurement, every wall section, every line clearly marked. Perfect for facility planners, club committees, or anyone curious about the sport's unique court design.

Get the Free Court Diagram -->

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Equipment recommendations are based on research and testing — individual preferences may vary. Always consult venue staff about court-specific requirements. Prices and availability are subject to change.