Padel Court Size: Official UK Dimensions
10 May 2026
Jamie Holt
A standard padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide. The walls are part of the playing area, which is why the sport feels contained compared with tennis.
Below are the dimensions used at UK clubs, how singles courts differ, and what you need if you are planning a build.
Official doubles court dimensions
| Measurement | Size |
|---|---|
| Length | 20m |
| Width | 10m |
| Total playing area | 200m² |
| Each half (behind the net) | 10m × 10m |
These figures follow International Padel Federation standards. Whether you play at a tennis club add-on in Surrey or a purpose-built centre in Leeds, the court size is the same.
Wall and fence heights
Back walls are usually 3m of tempered glass, with roughly 1m of mesh above. Side walls blend glass (towards the back) and mesh (towards the net).
That mix matters for gameplay. Glass gives predictable rebounds. Mesh on the upper sides produces trickier angles, especially on lobs. If you are learning the sport, read how cage rebounds work before your first match.
Net height
The net sits lower than tennis:
- 88cm at the centre
- 92cm at the posts
The lower centre height keeps rallies going and makes underarm serves easier to return.
Padel vs tennis court size
| Court | Length | Width |
|---|---|---|
| Padel (doubles) | 20m | 10m |
| Tennis (doubles) | 23.77m | 10.97m |
| Tennis (singles) | 23.77m | 8.23m |
Padel is not dramatically smaller on paper, but the walls change everything. You run less dead space, and beginners reach more shots. That is a core reason padel feels easier than tennis when you are starting out.
Singles court dimensions
Dedicated singles courts exist but are uncommon in the UK. Where installed, they are typically 20m long × 6m wide. Most clubs only have full-width courts, so recreational singles uses the 10m width with two players covering the lot.
Space needed to build a court
The playing surface is 200m², but you need margin around it for safety and access. Installers usually allow:
- ~24m total length
- ~14m total width
- 7m minimum ceiling height for indoor builds
Ground conditions drive cost more than the frame itself. Poor drainage or sloping land can add tens of thousands to a UK project. See padel court build costs for a full breakdown.
Why the size works for beginners
The court is big enough for four players to spread out, small enough that you are rarely sprinting from tramline to tramline. Walls extend rallies, so you spend more time hitting and less time fetching balls.
If you are booking your first session, pair this with the beginner rules guide and search padel courts near you by postcode.
Written by
Padel expert & guide writer · Manchester
Jamie picked up padel when the first courts opened around Manchester and never looked back. A former club tennis player, he now plays three or four times a week and writes practical, UK-focused guides for Padel Court Finder — covering rules, gear, booking tips, and the local scene.
