A tennis court is 78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles, or 36 feet wide for doubles (23.77 m x 8.23 m / 23.77 m x 10.97 m). The net stands 3 feet (0.914 m) high at the centre and 3.5 feet (1.07 m) at the posts, the service line is 21 feet (6.40 m) from the net, and the doubles alley adds 4.5 feet (1.37 m) on each side. Allow a total area of about 120 x 60 feet for safe run-off. These are the International Tennis Federation (ITF) court dimensions, used worldwide.
Official tennis court dimensions and measurements
Every measurement below is taken to the outside of the lines, per the ITF Rules of Tennis. The court length is the same for singles and doubles - only the width changes, because the doubles alley on each side comes into play. These standard tennis court dimensions are fixed worldwide, so a court built to them in India plays exactly like one used at a professional event anywhere else. Knowing the tennis court dimensions before you build matters: every line position below is set by the rules, and the surrounding playing area is what you size to your site.
| Element | Measurement (feet) | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Court length (baseline to baseline) | 78 ft | 23.77 m |
| Court width - singles (sideline to sideline) | 27 ft | 8.23 m |
| Court width - doubles (sideline to sideline) | 36 ft | 10.97 m |
| Doubles alley (each side) | 4.5 ft | 1.37 m |
| Service line from net (each side) | 21 ft | 6.40 m |
| Net height at centre | 3 ft | 0.914 m |
| Net height at posts | 3.5 ft | 1.07 m |
| Recommended total playing area | 120 ft x 60 ft | 36.6 x 18.3 m |
Tennis court layout and markings
A tennis court is divided into clearly marked zones. The outer boundary is the baseline at each end (78 feet apart) and the sidelines down each edge. For singles the inner singles sideline applies; for doubles the outer sideline applies, with the doubles alley (4.5 feet wide) running between the two on each side. Across each half, the service line sits 21 feet from the net, and a centre service line runs from the service line to the net, splitting the area into a right and left service box. The right box is the deuce service box (the deuce court) and the left is the ad court (advantage court), named for where each point is served. A short centre mark bisects each baseline. The net runs across the full width at the middle of the court.
Correct line marking matters as much as the surface. Lines that are the wrong width, faded, or low-contrast cause disputed calls and look unprofessional. On a ChampCourts court the lines are masked and sprayed in a contrasting acrylic colour, so they stay crisp for years.
Singles vs doubles - same length, different width
The court is always 78 feet long. What changes between formats is the width: a singles court is 27 feet wide, while a doubles court is 36 feet wide. The extra width is the doubles alley - 4.5 feet on each side - which is out of bounds in singles and in play in doubles. A ball landing in the alley during a singles point is out; the same ball in doubles is good. Because both formats share one court, almost every tennis court is built to the full 36-foot doubles width and marked for both. The service boxes and baselines are identical for singles and doubles; only the side boundary moves.
Tennis net and post specifications
The net is hung across the full width of the court, 3.5 feet (1.07 m) high at the posts and 3 feet (0.914 m) high at the centre, where a centre strap pulls it down to the correct height - this matched dip is defined in the ITF Rules of Tennis. For a doubles court the net posts sit 3 feet outside the doubles sidelines, so the net is supported at the right height across the whole 36-foot span. When a singles-only court is built, the posts sit just outside the singles sidelines instead. A regulation court is matched with a regulation net height, because even a few centimetres of error changes how the ball clears the net.
How much space do you need to build a tennis court?
The doubles court is 78 x 36 feet, but you should plan for a total area of about 120 x 60 feet so players have safe run-off behind the baselines and beside the sidelines. The ITF recommends generous clearance - roughly 21 feet behind each baseline and 12 feet beside each sideline for competition play - which is where the 120 x 60-foot envelope comes from. Indoor tennis courts need a clear ceiling height of about 30-40 feet so high lobs and serves are not obstructed. Getting the surrounding space right at the planning stage avoids cramped, unsafe play later - it is far cheaper to allocate the run-off now than to move a fence after the surface is laid.
Comparison to badminton and pickleball courts
A tennis court is much larger than the courts it is often compared with. A doubles badminton court is 44 x 20 feet and a pickleball court is also 44 x 20 feet - both a fraction of a tennis court's 78 x 36-foot doubles footprint. That size difference is why a single tennis court can be re-lined to hold up to four pickleball courts, and why clubs with under-used tennis courts increasingly add pickleball or multi-sport markings. The net heights differ too: tennis nets dip to 3 feet at centre, badminton nets sit at 5 feet, and pickleball nets at 34 inches.
Types of tennis court surfaces
The court dimensions never change, but the playing surface does - and the surface dramatically affects how the ball bounces and how fast the game plays. There are four recognised types of tennis court surface, each used at a different level of the sport and at different Grand Slam events.
- Hard court - an acrylic surface over a concrete or asphalt base. It gives a true, medium-fast bounce, needs little maintenance and suits every climate, which is why it is the most common court surface worldwide and the choice for the US Open and the Australian Open. It is also the standard for almost every new tennis court in India.
- Clay court - made of crushed brick (red clay) or, in some regions, green clay. Clay slows the ball and produces a high, slow bounce that rewards baseline rallies; the French Open is played on red clay. Clay courts need daily watering, brushing and line maintenance.
- Grass court - natural lawn grown on a firm soil base, giving the fastest, lowest bounce of any surface. Wimbledon is the most famous grass-court event. Grass demands intensive mowing and upkeep and is rare outside dedicated lawn clubs.
- Carpet court - a removable textile or synthetic surface, fast like grass, now mostly used indoors and historically on parts of the ATP tour. It is uncommon today but still counts among the official surface types.
The ITF rates surfaces from slow to fast on its court pace scale, and the ATP and Grand Slam calendar deliberately rotates across clay, grass and hard courts through the season. For a private or club court in India, the practical choice is almost always a variety of hard-court surface, which is covered next.
Building a tennis court in India - surface and base
The surface decides how the court plays. In India the most popular tennis surface by far is the acrylic hard court - a seamless, true-bounce system of acrylic coats laid over cured concrete - because it is durable, all-weather and low-maintenance. A cushioned acrylic build adds a rubberised layer under the colour coats for extra comfort and joint protection, which players notice over long sessions. Both are laid to the exact 78 x 36-foot dimensions above. View the acrylic tennis court and cushioned acrylic tennis court builds. A flat, well-cured concrete base with the correct slope (about 1% for drainage on outdoor courts) is essential before any surface goes down - the base is the part that, done wrong, ruins an otherwise perfect court. For a full surface-by-surface comparison see our which surface guide.
Cost to build a tennis court in India
Once the dimensions are fixed, surface and site decide the budget. As a 2026 guide, a tennis court in India runs roughly Rs 12-30 lakh: a standard acrylic hard court over a new concrete base sits in the middle of that range, while a cushioned acrylic system, premium fencing and floodlights push towards the upper end. Per square foot, acrylic surfacing is commonly around Rs 90-200 depending on the cushion build, on top of the civil and base work. Fencing, floodlights and a tournament net system add to the figure. The court size is fixed by the ITF, so the main levers on cost are the surface specification and the condition of your site.
Step-by-step: how a tennis court is built
A typical ChampCourts tennis build runs: (1) site survey and marking to the 120 x 60-foot envelope; (2) excavation and a compacted sub-base; (3) a reinforced concrete base, cured and laser-levelled to the drainage slope; (4) the chosen surface - standard or cushioned acrylic coats - laid to the 78 x 36-foot court; (5) line marking for the singles and doubles boundaries, service boxes and centre marks; (6) net posts set 3 feet outside the doubles sidelines and the net set to 3.5/3 feet; (7) fencing and optional floodlighting. The sequence matters: rushing the base cure to save days is the most common cause of later cracking.
Indoor vs outdoor tennis courts
The court dimensions are identical indoors and outdoors; the build differs. Outdoor courts use UV-stable acrylic with a slight slope for drainage and wind-aware fencing around the 120 x 60-foot envelope. Indoor courts can use standard or cushioned acrylic, need about 30-40 feet of ceiling clearance, and benefit from non-glare lighting tuned to play. Outdoor play also contends with sun and wind, but the court markings and net heights never change between the two.
Maintaining a tennis court
A well-built court needs little upkeep: sweep grit, rinse the surface, keep drains clear, and recoat an acrylic court every few years to refresh grip and colour. Keeping the lines crisp and the net at the correct 3-foot centre height preserves true, regulation play over the court's life. A cushioned court holds its comfort longer when it is kept clean and recoated on schedule.
Tennis court dimensions - FAQs
What are the official tennis court dimensions?
A tennis court is 78 feet long for all play. It is 27 feet wide for singles and 36 feet wide for doubles (23.77 x 8.23 m and 23.77 x 10.97 m). The extra 4.5 feet on each side is the doubles alley. The recommended total area, including run-off, is about 120 x 60 feet.
How wide is a tennis court for singles vs doubles?
A singles tennis court is 27 feet (8.23 m) wide. A doubles court is 36 feet (10.97 m) wide. The length stays 78 feet (23.77 m) for both. The difference is the 4.5-foot (1.37 m) doubles alley on each side, which is in play only for doubles.
What is the height of a tennis net?
A tennis net is 3 feet (0.914 m) high at the centre and 3.5 feet (1.07 m) high at the net posts. A centre strap holds the net down to the correct 3-foot height in the middle. The net spans the full width of the court.
How far is the service line from the net?
The service line is 21 feet (6.40 m) from the net on each side. The two service lines and the centre service line, which runs down the middle, divide each half of the court into the deuce and advantage service boxes.
How much total space is needed for a tennis court?
While the doubles court is 78 x 36 feet, the recommended total playing area is about 120 x 60 feet (36.6 x 18.3 m) to allow safe run-off behind the baselines and beside the sidelines. Indoor courts also need a clear ceiling height of about 30-40 feet.
How much does it cost to build a tennis court in India?
A tennis court in India typically costs between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 30 lakh depending on surface, base condition and add-ons. An acrylic hard court over a new concrete base is the common choice; fencing, floodlights and a net system add to the total.
What surface is best for a tennis court in India?
Acrylic hard courts are the most popular tennis surface in India because they give true bounce, good grip and all-weather durability over a concrete base. A cushioned acrylic system adds player comfort and joint protection. ChampCourts builds both, to standard ITF dimensions.
Is a tennis court bigger than a pickleball or badminton court?
Yes. A tennis court (78 x 36 ft for doubles) is far larger than a doubles badminton court (44 x 20 ft) or a pickleball court (44 x 20 ft). A single tennis court is big enough to hold up to four pickleball courts when re-lined.
What are the different types of tennis court surfaces?
There are four recognised tennis court surfaces: hard courts (acrylic over concrete, used at the US Open and Australian Open), clay courts (crushed brick, used at the French Open), grass courts (used at Wimbledon) and carpet courts (a fast indoor surface). The court dimensions are the same on every surface; only the bounce and speed change.
Build your tennis court with ChampCourts
ChampCourts is an India-based sports court builder that constructs tennis courts to exact ITF dimensions in standard and cushioned acrylic, pan-India from our Hyderabad base. For a free site assessment and a court laid out to standard, call +91 92587 75187.