Padel Court Dimensions: Official Size, Layout & Measurements

By PeakPadel Engineering Team · Published July 2026 · 8 min read · Updated: 2026-07-22

1. What are the official FIP padel court dimensions of 20m × 10m?

The International Padel Federation (FIP) specifies exact court dimensions that apply to all sanctioned tournaments, including World Padel Tour and Premier Padel events. These same dimensions are used for recreational and club-level courts worldwide.

The 20 x 10 metre inner playing area is the non-negotiable standard. Every court PeakPadel manufactures conforms to these exact FIP specifications. Courts built outside these dimensions cannot be used for official tournaments and will feel noticeably wrong to experienced players.

The court is divided into two equal halves by a net. Each half contains a service zone marked by a line running parallel to the net at 6.95 metres from it. The central service line divides each service zone into two equal rectangles of 5 x 6.95 metres.

2. What are the wall, glass, and fence height specifications?

The vertical enclosure is what makes padel unique — players can play the ball off the walls, similar to squash. The wall system has two distinct zones:

End walls (back walls): Both ends of the court feature 3-metre-high glass panels across the full 10-metre width, with 1 metre of mesh above. These are the primary walls used for rebounding shots — the "back wall game" is a fundamental padel technique.

Side walls: The side walls also have 3 metres of glass for the first portion (typically the back 4 metres on each side), transitioning to mesh fencing for the remaining length. In panoramic court designs, the entire side wall is glass with no intermediate posts, providing an unobstructed 360-degree view.

3. What outer dimensions does the padel court structure occupy?

Beyond the inner playing area, the steel frame, posts, and glass panels add to the total footprint. These outer dimensions are what matter for site preparation and concrete base planning.

The concrete foundation is the most critical construction phase. The slab must be perfectly level — any deviation exceeding 3 mm across the full length causes door misalignment and glass stress over time. We recommend a reinforced concrete slab with a minimum thickness of 150 mm (6 inches), poured on a compacted sub-base of 200 mm gravel or crushed stone.

4. How much total site space is needed for safety zones and run-off?

The minimum land area needed is significantly larger than the court itself. FIP recommends safety zones around the perimeter for player movement, coaching, and spectator access. Here is what you actually need:

For a club-quality installation, budget 300-350 m² per court when including spectator walkways, coaching zones, and comfortable player movement space. Cutting corners on safety zones creates a cramped, unprofessional atmosphere that experienced players notice immediately.

Indoor ceiling height: For indoor facilities, the minimum clear ceiling height is 6 metres (20 feet). Professional venues aim for 8 metres (26 feet) or more to accommodate high lobs. A ceiling lower than 6 metres makes lobs — a core tactical element of padel — effectively impossible.

5. How should multi-court padel layouts be spaced?

When building two or more courts side by side, the spacing between courts affects both land efficiency and player experience. Courts placed too close together create noise interference — players on one court hear the calls and ball strikes from the adjacent court.

Recommended between-court spacing: 3 metres between the outer edges of adjacent courts. This allows for a 1-metre walkway on each side plus a central access path. For premium clubs hosting tournaments, increase to 4 metres for spectator seating and camera positions.

6. How does padel court size compare to a tennis court?

One of padel's most compelling commercial advantages is its space efficiency. You can fit three padel courts in the area of one standard tennis court, and each padel court serves four players simultaneously (doubles) versus two players for a tennis court.

This is why padel is outperforming tennis commercially: a facility that replaces one tennis court with three padel courts increases its player capacity from 2-4 players at a time to 12 players, and revenue density by approximately 4-5x per square metre. This math is driving the wave of tennis club conversions across Europe.

7. What are the dimensions of padel court glass, posts, and mesh?

Understanding the individual components helps when evaluating quality between manufacturers. Here are the standard dimensions for every structural element in a padel court:

Glass is the dimension-sensitive component. The 2,995 x 1,995 mm panels are a global standard — any deviation makes replacement glass difficult to source locally. Always verify that a manufacturer uses standard glass dimensions, not custom sizes that lock you into purchasing replacements from them alone.

8. What should a padel court site planning checklist include?

Before you break ground, run through this checklist to ensure your site can accommodate a regulation padel court:

1. Confirm flat, level ground. Survey the site. The entire 231 m² concrete pad area must be within ±3 mm of level. Sloped sites require retaining walls or cut-and-fill — budget an additional EUR 3,000-8,000.
2. Verify underground utilities. No water, gas, or electrical lines should run beneath the court area. Relocating utilities can add EUR 5,000-15,000 and 4-8 weeks to your timeline.
3. Check overhead clearance. Outdoor courts: no power lines or tree branches within 8 metres vertical clearance. Indoor courts: minimum 6 metres clear height to ceiling or roof beams.
4. Account for drainage. The concrete pad should slope 0.5-1% toward drainage channels at the sides. Poor drainage leads to standing water on the turf, algae growth, and player complaints after rain.
5. Plan equipment access. A 6,150 kg court arrives on pallets. Ensure a forklift or crane can access the site. Narrow urban sites may require a mobile crane — confirm the access route before ordering.
6. Orient for sun (outdoor courts). Ideally, the court's long axis runs north-south, minimising direct sun in players' eyes during morning and evening peak hours.
7. Zoning & permits. Confirm local zoning allows sports facility construction. Permit processing takes 4-12 weeks in most municipalities. Start this process at least 3 months before your planned construction date.