Whether you are marking out a court in a sports hall, setting up a net in the garden or simply trying to understand which lines count in a match, the dimensions of a badminton court matter. Many arguments in casual games come down to one question: which line is in? This guide sets out every official measurement from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Laws of Badminton, explains the difference between the singles and doubles courts, and gives practical advice for marking a court accurately.
Badminton Court Dimensions at a Glance
| Measurement | Metric | Imperial (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length (both singles and doubles) | 13.40 m | 44 ft |
| Doubles width (outer side lines) | 6.10 m | 20 ft |
| Singles width (inner side lines) | 5.18 m | 17 ft |
| Net line to back boundary line (each half) | 6.70 m | 22 ft |
| Net line to short service line | 1.98 m | 6 ft 6 in |
| Back boundary to doubles long service line | 0.76 m | 2 ft 6 in |
| Singles side line inside doubles side line | 0.46 m | 1 ft 6 in |
| Net height at centre | 1.524 m | 5 ft |
| Net height at the posts (over the doubles side lines) | 1.55 m | 5 ft 1 in |
| Width of all lines | 40 mm | about 1.5 in |
The full doubles court measures 13.4 m × 6.1 m, an area of about 81.7 m² (880 sq ft). These measurements are the same everywhere badminton is played under BWF Laws.
Measurements are taken from the outside edges of the boundary lines, and every line forms part of the area it encloses. That is why a shuttle landing on a line is in.
Singles Court vs Doubles Court
A standard court is marked for both singles and doubles. The key is knowing which lines apply to the rally and which apply only to the serve.
Singles
- Rally: the court is 13.4 m long and 5.18 m wide. The inner side lines and the back boundary line are the limits.
- Serve: the shuttle must land between the short service line and the back boundary line, within the inner side lines. This makes the singles service court long and narrow.
Doubles
- Rally: the court is 13.4 m long and 6.1 m wide. The outer side lines and the back boundary line are the limits.
- Serve: the shuttle must land between the short service line and the doubles long service line, 0.76 m in front of the back boundary, within the outer side lines. This makes the doubles service court short and wide.
The most common misunderstanding is that the doubles court is “shorter”. It is not. The long service line only limits the serve; once the serve is returned, the whole length to the back boundary is in play. For how these lines fit into the full scoring and serving rules, see our guide to badminton rules and scoring.
Service Court Dimensions
Each half of the court is split into a left and a right service court by the centre line, which runs from the short service line to the back boundary line.
| Singles service court | Doubles service court | |
|---|---|---|
| Front limit | Short service line | Short service line |
| Back limit | Back boundary line | Doubles long service line |
| Side limits | Centre line and singles side line | Centre line and doubles side line |
| Length | 4.72 m (about 15 ft 6 in) | 3.96 m (about 13 ft) |
| Width | 2.59 m (about 8 ft 6 in) | 3.05 m (10 ft) |
| Area (approx.) | 12.2 m² | 12.1 m² |
The lengths follow from the main measurements: 6.70 m (net to back boundary) minus 1.98 m (net to short service line) gives 4.72 m for singles; taking off the 0.76 m behind the doubles long service line gives 3.96 m for doubles. Although the shapes are very different, the two service courts have almost the same area.
The shorter doubles service court limits the effectiveness of the high serve, which is one reason most doubles serves are low and short. In singles, the deep service court makes the high, deep serve a standard option. Our article on singles vs doubles strategy explains how this shapes tactics.
Every Court Line Explained
Side Lines
There are two pairs. The outer side lines mark the doubles court (6.1 m apart); the inner side lines, 0.46 m inside them, mark the singles court (5.18 m apart). In singles, a shuttle landing in the narrow strip between the two side lines is out.
Back Boundary Line
The back boundary line is 6.70 m from the net line on each side. It is the back limit of the court for rallies in both singles and doubles, and the back limit of the singles service court.
Short Service Line
The short service line is 1.98 m from the net. A serve must reach at least this line – a serve landing on the line is good; one landing in front of it is a fault.
Doubles Long Service Line
This line is 0.76 m in front of the back boundary line. It is used only for the serve in doubles: a doubles serve landing beyond it is a fault. It has no role in singles or in doubles rallies.
Centre Line
The centre line runs from the short service line to the back boundary line, dividing the left and right service courts. It is shared between the two service courts on either side of it.
Faults relating to these lines, such as standing on a line while serving or receiving, are explained in our complete guide to badminton faults.
Net and Post Specifications
- Height: the top of the net is 1.524 m (5 ft) above the floor at the centre of the court and 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) over the doubles side lines, where the posts stand. The slight dip in the middle is part of the specification.
- Posts: the posts are 1.55 m high and stand on the doubles side lines, even when singles is being played.
- Net: made of fine cord of a dark colour and even thickness, with a mesh of 15–20 mm. The net is 760 mm deep and at least 6.1 m wide.
- Top tape: the top of the net is edged with a 75 mm white tape, doubled over a cord or cable that runs through it.
- No gaps: there should be no gaps between the ends of the net and the posts.
An incorrect net height changes the game noticeably, so check the centre height with a tape measure before an important session. If you are choosing a net for home or club practice, our guide to badminton nets for home and club practice explains what to look for.
Space Around the Court and Ceiling Height
The Laws define the court itself, but safe play also needs clear space around it and enough height for high serves and clears.
- Around the court: leave clear space behind each back boundary line and beside the side lines, so players can chase deep shots without hitting walls or equipment. For all BWF-sanctioned tournaments, the BWF’s specifications for international standard facilities require at least 2 m of clear space behind each baseline and 1.5 m beside the side lines, with at least 1.5 m between courts laid side by side; for its top events it recommends about 4 m between courts. The same figures are a good target for a club hall.
- Ceiling: a low ceiling or overhead beams quickly interfere with high serves and clears. The BWF requires a clear height of at least 12 m over the whole court, free of girders and other obstructions, for the Olympics, major championships and World Tour events from Super 300 upwards, and 9 m for other sanctioned tournaments. Most local halls are lower than this, which is fine for recreational play.
- Lighting and background: lighting should be bright and even without glare, and walls behind the court should be dark and plain so the white shuttle is easy to see.
If you plan to build or renovate a hall for competitive play, consult the BWF’s facility guidance and your national federation for the exact requirements of the level you are aiming for.
How to Mark a Badminton Court
Tools
- A tape measure of at least 15 m
- Chalk, masking tape or court-marking tape (paint for permanent courts)
- A string line and markers
- A helper
Step by Step
- Mark the outer rectangle: 13.4 m × 6.1 m on a flat, level surface.
- Check it is square: both diagonals should measure about 14.72 m. If they differ, adjust the corners until they match. You can also use the 3-4-5 triangle method at each corner.
- Mark the net line across the middle, 6.7 m from each back boundary.
- Mark the short service lines 1.98 m from the net on each side.
- Mark the doubles long service lines 0.76 m inside each back boundary.
- Mark the singles side lines 0.46 m inside each doubles side line, along the full length of the court.
- Mark the centre lines from each short service line to the back boundary, halfway between the side lines (3.05 m from each doubles side line).
- Check everything again: remember all measurements include the line width, measured to the outside edge of the boundary lines. Use 40 mm-wide lines in a colour that contrasts with the floor; white or yellow is preferred.
Common Marking Mistakes
- Measuring to the centre of the lines instead of the outside edge, which makes the court slightly too small.
- Leaving out the doubles long service line, so long doubles serves cannot be judged.
- Putting the short service line in the wrong place – it is measured from the net line, not the posts.
- Setting the net too high or too low by not checking the centre height.
Indoor and Outdoor Courts
Competitive badminton is played indoors on wooden or approved synthetic sports floors that offer grip and some shock absorption. Outdoors, the same court markings can be used for recreational play, but the shuttle is so light that even a light breeze affects it, and sun glare can make high shots hard to track. For outdoor play, choose a sheltered spot, a level surface and, if possible, a court orientation that keeps the sun out of players’ eyes.
Badminton Court Compared With Other Sports
| Sport | Court size | Area (approx.) | Compared with badminton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badminton (doubles) | 13.4 m × 6.1 m | 82 m² (880 sq ft) | – |
| Pickleball | 44 ft × 20 ft (13.4 m × 6.1 m) | 82 m² (880 sq ft) | Same outer size; different lines and a lower net |
| Squash (singles) | 9.75 m × 6.4 m | 62 m² (672 sq ft) | About three-quarters of the size |
| Volleyball | 18 m × 9 m | 162 m² (1,744 sq ft) | About twice the size |
| Tennis (doubles) | 23.77 m × 10.97 m | 261 m² (2,808 sq ft) | About 3.2 times the size |
The small court is one reason badminton is so fast and reaction-based. For a fuller comparison of the two most popular racket sports, see badminton vs tennis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the size of a badminton court?
13.4 m long and 6.1 m wide (44 ft × 20 ft) for doubles. The singles court is the same length but 5.18 m (17 ft) wide.
Is the doubles court shorter than the singles court?
No. Both use the full 13.4 m length during rallies. Only the doubles service court is shorter, ending at the long service line 0.76 m in front of the back boundary.
How high is a badminton net?
1.524 m (5 ft) at the centre and 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) at the posts.
Are the lines in or out?
In. Every line is part of the area it encloses, so a shuttle that lands on a line is in.
Can I mark a badminton court inside a tennis court?
Yes, for practice. A tennis court is much larger, so a badminton court fits easily inside one, but you will need temporary lines and a badminton-height net.
