Pickleball Court vs Tennis Court: Size, Lines & Layout Guide

Pickleball may borrow the look of tennis, but the similarities stop when you look at the court. If you’re a tennis player, you might’ve noticed that stepping on pickleball courts feels tighter and the net seems lower, and there are additional lines. So the difference starts from the courts, where players play. The main difference between a pickleball court and a tennis court is the size. For anyone switching between pickleball and tennis, knowing the exact differences is needed for practicing footwork and shots.

In this guide, we’ll break down a pickleball court vs a tennis court with dimensions, line setups, net height, surfaces, and layout details. We’ll also cover how to convert a tennis court into multiple pickleball courts.

Pickleball Court vs Tennis Court: Basic Overview

Tennis is a long-established racquet sport played with a strung racquet and felt-covered ball. The court is large with varied surfaces, clay, grass, or hard. Pickleball, on the other hand, uses a solid paddle and perforated plastic ball on a smaller, hard-surfaced court. It’s fast, social, and easy to pick up.

The most important difference? Court size and the non-volley zone. A pickleball court is much smaller, 20 by 44 feet, and includes a 7-foot “kitchen” that restricts net play. Tennis courts have no such rule, leading to very different point construction and footwork demands. See our guide for pickleball court dimensions in detail here. 

Differentiating Factors Between Pickleball Courts and Tennis Courts

Pickleball has been growing in popularity since the 2020s, and it’s still relevant today. Today, it’s not just “mini tennis,” which it was known as, now players are seeing clashes on how different both racket sports are. The difference between tennis court and pickleball court is mainly size, but there are various other factors. Let’s start with a quick comparison table:

Size and Dimensions

As said above and by many coaches, the most immediate difference between tennis court and pickleball court is size. A pickleball court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide, used for both singles and doubles play. Compare that to a tennis court, it’s short. The tennis court is 78 feet long, 27 feet wide for singles, and 36 feet wide for doubles.

Fun Fact!

How many pickleball courts can fit in a standard tennis court? The measurement of 60×120 ft can fit up to four pickleball courts. But only if space is properly marked. This smaller layout creates a faster-paced game focused on reaction time and placement over sprinting and endurance, like in tennis.

Net Height

Pickleball nets are 34 inches high in the center and 36 inches at the posts. Tennis nets, meanwhile, stand 36 inches at the center and 42 inches at the posts.

Fact About Net Difference!’

The height of the net difference further shifts gameplay strategies. In pickleball, shots skim low over the net, rewarding accuracy. Tennis allows more topspin-heavy lobs and angled volleys due to the taller net profile and longer court.

Line Configurations

Pickleball’s standout feature is the 7-foot non-volley zone, commonly called “the kitchen.” No volleys are allowed from within this space. This rule changes how players approach net play entirely.

Tennis lacks this restriction. Players can approach and volley directly at the net. The game is more about court positioning and speed.

Line Differences:

• Pickleball: Singles and doubles use the same court. All lines are 2 inches wide.
• Tennis: Singles and doubles use different widths. Lines are 2 inches wide, but baselines can be 4 inches.

Other Notable Differences

Court Surface

Pickleball surfaces are chosen for safety and a predictable bounce. Common options include:

• Asphalt
• Concrete
• Modular Plastic Tiles
• Rubber or Synthetic Turf

Tennis courts come in four main types:

• Hard Courts (Asphalt/Concrete)
• Clay Courts
• Grass Courts

Surface types influence movement, bounce, and style of play. A pickleball court has a surface area of 880 sq. ft., while a tennis doubles court spans over 2,800 sq. ft.

Equipment

Equipment affects speed, stroke mechanics, and accessibility.

Pickleball Gear:

• Paddles: Flat-faced, composite or wood, 6.5-9 oz. For a USAPA-approved paddle as a beginner, most go for the MAX5 Vintage MX-0.1 paddle. Choose pickleball paddles that combine lightweight control with excellent shot feedback.
• Balls: Lightweight plastic with 26-40 holes, bouncing 0-34 inches.

Tennis Gear:

• Racquets: 9-12 oz, strung with natural or synthetic gut, engineered for spin and power.
• Balls: Felt-covered rubber, ~2 oz, bouncing 53-60 inches.

Physical Demands and Player Experience

Pickleball:

• Lower impact, smaller court.
• Appeals to all ages and skill levels.
• Emphasizes reflexes, shot placement, and court awareness.
• Community-driven, social atmosphere.

Tennis:

• Physically demanding with large court coverage.
• Requires footwork, stamina, and a variety of strokes.
• More intense and competitive.

Fun fact!

Why is the pickleball court size smaller? History. The founders used an old badminton layout and built a game from that space. That size is perfect for quick footwork and reflex volleys, not grinding groundstrokes. Because of that, pickleball courts now get overlaid onto existing tennis courts to save space and adapt facilities. You can easily fit 2 pickleball courts on a tennis court, and with smart line layouts, even squeeze 4 pickleball courts on a tennis court for community centers.

Pickleball on Tennis Courts: What You Need to Know

We already covered that pickleball courts differ in size and line layout, but if you were expecting to play pickleball on a tennis court, we’ve got you. You can play pickleball on a tennis court easily with this guide. Here’s how to properly convert it and lay out pickleball court lines on a tennis court, whether you want one, two, or even four courts in a single space.

How Many Pickleball Courts Fit on a Tennis Court?

1 Pickleball Court on a Tennis Court

This setup is good for shared courts where permanent lines aren’t allowed.

• Use the center of the tennis court.
• Lower the net to 34” at the center.
• Mark a 20’x44’ rectangle with chalk or tape.
• Add 7’ kitchen lines from the net.

2 Pickleball Courts on a Tennis Court

Use this setup to play two games at once without interfering with tennis use.

• Divide the tennis court in half lengthwise.
• Place one court on each half using portable nets.
• Line each with a standard pickleball court layout on tennis court dimensions.

4 Pickleball Courts on a Tennis Court

This is the most efficient layout for leagues or clubs using 4 pickleball courts on a tennis court.

• Divide the space into four quadrants.
• Fit one pickleball court in each (20’x44’).
• Use temporary or painted lines and standalone nets.

Tips To Remember When Setting Up Pickleball Lines 

• Temporary Setup: Use chalk or court tape if you don’t have court ownership. Always ask first.
• Permanent Setup: Use acrylic line paint and stencils to create clean, lasting marks. Many players use Game Line Kits designed for tennis-to-pickleball conversions.

To outline your court:

• Draw a 44’x20’ rectangle
• Mark 7’ non-volley zones from the net
• Split each side in half lengthwise for service areas
• Center your net across the 20’ width

Adjusting Net Height

• Tennis nets = 36” at center
• Pickleball nets = 34” at center, 36” at posts

To convert:

• Use a net strap to lower the center
• Or bring in a portable pickleball net for side setups

Tennis on a Pickleball Court?

You can try, but don’t. The court is too small for full swings or proper rallies. On the flip side, tennis players adapting to pickleball will find singles familiar but need to adjust to kitchen play in doubles.

Building a Pickleball or Tennis Court: Advantages and Disadvantages

Here’s a quick side-by-side breakdown of Pickleball Court vs Tennis Court Construction

Which Is More Economical?

From a cost-efficiency standpoint, building a pickleball court is the better choice, especially for private properties, schools, or small communities. Buying pickleball paddles and 6-packs of pickleball balls in bulk can also save money with MAX5.

Conclusion

The pickleball court vs tennis court comparison reveals distinct differences in size, layout, surface types, equipment, and player demands. This guide covers everything you need to know from differences to conversion. One tennis court can be converted into two to four pickleball courts using tape or paint. The tennis court-to-pickleball court conversion is a practical solution for shared facilities. For schools, clubs, and recreational spaces, reach out to MAX5 to get started with budget-friendly USAPA-approved pickleball gear.