/Badminton Court Dimensions

Badminton Court Dimensions

Interactive guide to badminton court measurements for singles and doubles play

Badminton Court Dimensions

Interactive guide to badminton court measurements for singles and doubles play

Court Type

Measurement Unit

Court Layout

13.40m

6.10m

Main Dimensions

Court Length13.40 m

Court Width6.10 m

Net Height (Center)1.55 m

Service Court

Service Line to Net1.98 m

Back Service Line0.76 m

Service Court Width3.05 m

Singles vs Doubles

Singles Court

• Narrower court width: 5.18m (17 ft)
• Uses inner side tramlines
• Long service line is at the back
• More running required
• Focus on endurance and coverage

Doubles Court

• Wider court width: 6.10m (20 ft)
• Uses outer side tramlines
• Shorter long service line
• Less individual coverage needed
• Focus on teamwork and positioning

Important Notes

Net Height: The net should be 1.55m (5 ft 1 inch) at the edges and 1.524m (5 ft) in the center due to tension.

Playing Area: Ensure there's adequate space around the court — minimum 2m on sides and 2.5m at the ends for safe play.

Court Surface: Professional courts use wooden sprung floors or synthetic mats. Surface should provide good grip and shock absorption.

Lighting: Proper lighting is crucial. Minimum 500 lux at floor level for recreational play, 750+ for competitive matches.

Line Width: All lines should be 40mm wide and preferably white or yellow for visibility.

What are the Official Badminton Court Dimensions?

Badminton courts are standardised by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and measure 13.4 metres long by 6.1 metres wide for doubles play. For singles, the court is the same length but only 5.18 metres wide — the outer side tramlines are out of bounds in singles. This is the opposite of tennis, where the full width is used in singles and additional alleys appear for doubles.

The net is set at 1.55 metres at the posts and 1.524 metres at the centre — just 2.6cm of sag — making it nearly level across the full width. This near-horizontal net and the high shuttlecock trajectory make badminton unique among net sports. The service courts are clearly divided: in singles, the right service court for even scores, left for odd — a rule that catches many beginners off guard.

Badminton is the fastest racket sport in the world, with professional shuttle speeds exceeding 400 km/h after a smash — faster than any other racket sport. Despite the small court size, elite badminton players cover an estimated 6–9km per match with extremely fast directional changes, making it one of the most aerobically demanding racket sports.

Court Length

13.4 m (43.96 ft)

Doubles Width

6.1 m (20 ft)

Singles Width

5.18 m (17 ft)

Net Height (post)

1.55 m (5.08 ft)

Net Height (centre)

1.524 m (5 ft)

Short Service Line

1.98 m from net

How to Use This Calculator

Court Type: Select Singles or Doubles — affects court width (5.18m vs 6.1m) and valid service areas.

Unit: Toggle between metres and feet.

Service courts: The diagram shows which service courts are valid for each player position and score.

Key Court Zones

• Short service line: 1.98m from net — serve must land beyond this
• Long service line (doubles): 0.76m inside baseline — serve must land before
• Back alley: 0.76m at back — in play for rallies, restricted for serves
• Side tramlines: 0.46m each side — in doubles only, out in singles
• Mid-court: Net to short service area — most contested zone

Source: Badminton World Federation (BWF) Laws of Badminton 2023; BWF Court and Equipment Regulations; Badminton England Court Specifications

?Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the badminton singles court narrower than doubles?

In badminton, the side tramlines (outer 0.46m on each side) are OUT in singles but IN during doubles rallies. However, for doubles SERVICE, the back tramline (back 0.76m) is OUT, while in singles service, the full length is valid. This combination of rules means singles and doubles use different effective court dimensions, which is the reverse of the intuitive expectation. It reflects the different tactical demands of 1v1 versus 2v2 play.

How fast does a badminton shuttlecock travel?

The fastest recorded badminton smash is 493 km/h, hit by Malaysian player Tan Boon Heong in 2013. In professional match play, smashes regularly exceed 300–400 km/h. For comparison, the fastest tennis serve is around 263 km/h. The shuttle slows rapidly due to air resistance — this extreme deceleration is part of what makes badminton unique, as the shuttle trajectory changes dramatically mid-flight.

What is the difference between feather and synthetic shuttlecocks?

Feather shuttlecocks use 16 goose or duck feathers arranged in a precise cone and provide superior flight characteristics and feel — used in all BWF tournaments. Synthetic shuttlecocks use nylon or plastic skirts, are more durable and weather-resistant, and are used in recreational play and outdoor conditions. Feather shuttles are affected by temperature and humidity — heavier shuttles are used in hot or high-altitude conditions, lighter ones in cold or low-altitude environments.