Badminton Court Dimensions: Complete Guide
A standard badminton court is 13.4 metres long and 6.1 metres wide for doubles. Every line on the court has a purpose — from service boundaries to tramlines. Here's a complete breakdown of court dimensions, net height, and how singles and doubles courts differ.
Court Measurements at a Glance
| Measurement | Metres | Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Full court length | 13.4m | 44 ft |
| Doubles court width | 6.1m | 20 ft |
| Singles court width | 5.18m | 17 ft |
| Tramline width (each side) | 0.46m | 1 ft 6 in |
| Short service line (from net) | 1.98m | 6 ft 6 in |
| Doubles long service line (from back) | 0.76m | 2 ft 6 in |
| Net height (edges) | 1.55m | 5 ft 1 in |
| Net height (centre) | 1.524m | 5 ft |
| Net depth | 0.76m | 2 ft 6 in |
| Centre line width | 40mm | 1.6 in |
| All line widths | 40mm | 1.6 in |
| Min ceiling height (BWF) | 12m | 39 ft |
Court Layout
Singles vs Doubles Court
The same physical court is used for both singles and doubles — the difference is which lines are in play:
The most common mistake is confusing the service boundaries. In doubles, serves that land between the doubles long service line and the back boundary are out — even though that area is in play during rallies.
Net Specifications
Line Markings
All lines on a badminton court are 40mm (1.6 inches) wide and should be easily distinguishable from the court surface. Lines are typically white or yellow.
A shuttle landing on any part of a line is in. The lines are part of the court area they define — so a shuttle touching the outer edge of a boundary line is still in play.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of a badminton court?
A full badminton court is 13.4 metres (44 feet) long and 6.1 metres (20 feet) wide for doubles. For singles, the width is reduced to 5.18 metres (17 feet) by excluding the outer tramlines. These dimensions are standardized by the BWF and used at all levels of play.
How high is a badminton net?
The badminton net is 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) high at the edges and 1.524 metres (5 feet) at the centre. The slight sag in the middle is normal and accounted for in the official specifications. The net is 760mm (2.5 feet) deep and made of fine cord mesh.
What is the difference between singles and doubles court lines?
The key difference is width: singles uses the inner sidelines (5.18m wide), doubles uses the outer sidelines (6.1m wide). For service, doubles uses a shorter service area — the back boundary for a doubles serve is the short service line to the doubles long service line (0.76m inside the back boundary), while singles serves can go all the way to the back line.
How far is the service line from the net?
The short service line is 1.98 metres (6 feet 6 inches) from the net on both sides. Any serve that lands between the net and this line is a fault. The doubles long service line is 0.76 metres (2 feet 6 inches) inside the back boundary line.
What surface is a badminton court?
Professional badminton courts use synthetic PU (polyurethane) or PVC surfaces, typically with a wooden sub-floor. These surfaces provide good grip, shock absorption, and consistent shuttle bounce. Recreational courts may use wood, concrete, or rubber surfaces. Outdoor courts can be grass or asphalt but are not used in competitive play.
How much space do you need around a badminton court?
The BWF recommends a minimum clearance of 2 metres on all sides of the court for recreational play, and at least 1.5 metres between adjacent courts. For international competitions, the minimum ceiling height is 12 metres (39 feet) above the court surface.