The official FIVB volleyball net height for senior men's competition is 2.43 metres and for senior women's competition is 2.24 metres. These measurements are taken from the floor to the top of the net at the centre. The net may sag slightly at the centre — the FIVB allows it to exceed the regulation height by up to 2cm at the centre versus the sides.

Net height varies by category. Youth and junior volleyball uses lower nets to accommodate developing players — under-16 boys use 2.24m (same as senior women), while under-14 girls use 2.10m. Beach volleyball uses the same heights as indoor volleyball (2.43m men, 2.24m women) but with a shorter net length of 8.5m versus 9.5m indoors. Sitting volleyball (para-volleyball) uses significantly lower nets of 1.15m for men and 1.05m for women.

The volleyball net also has specific requirements beyond height. The net is 9.5m long and 1.0m wide. Two fibreglass antennas extend 80cm above the net at the sideline intersection points — these mark the lateral limits of the crossing space and any ball touching an antenna is out. The net posts are placed 0.5–1.0m outside the sidelines and must be padded.