Building a padel court · 3 May 2026 · 10 min read
What are the dimensions of a padel court compared to a tennis court?
A padel court measures 20×10 m; a tennis court takes up over 600 m² including run-off areas. Discover all dimensions, space requirements and foundation types at a glance.
In this article
- What are the official dimensions of a padel court?
- How big is the difference between a padel court and a tennis court?
- How much space do you need to build a padel court?
- Can several padel courts fit on the site of one tennis court?
- What are the dimensions of a padel court for custom projects or special locations?
- Which type of foundation suits the dimensions and location of a padel court?
- Certification and quality mark
- Frequently asked questions
At first glance a padel court and a tennis court look similar, but their dimensions differ considerably. A padel court measures 20 by 10 metres; a tennis court is roughly twice as large. That difference has major practical consequences, especially if you are considering converting a tennis court into padel courts. Below you will find all the dimensions at a glance, including the space, foundation and custom work you need.
What are the official dimensions of a padel court?
An official padel court measures 20 metres long and 10 metres wide. These are the international playing dimensions that apply to both competitive and recreational play. The playing area is enclosed by a cage structure of glass and mesh, which is part of the game.
Besides the playing dimensions, there is another important distinction between the net playing area and the total space you need for the structure itself. The cage structure takes up slightly more space than the playing area alone.
For installation and safety, allow for a minimum outer dimension of 21 by 11 metres. The standard cage height is 4 metres at the sides, with glass up to 3 metres high on the back wall, and the floodlight mast is 6 metres at its highest point.
For indoor padel courts, the clear height of the hall also plays a role. The minimum recommended clear height is 6 metres. The higher the hall, the better the playing quality and the fewer restrictions players experience with high balls.
Read more about building padel courts
How big is the difference between a padel court and a tennis court?
A padel court has a playing surface of 200 m² (20 x 10 metres). A doubles tennis court covers more than 260 m² of playing surface, but including the mandatory run-off zones you quickly reach a total area of more than 600 m². The space required is therefore two to three times larger for tennis than for padel.
This difference is exactly why padel is so attractive for tennis clubs and venues with limited space. Several padel courts fit on the site of a single tennis court, which means you can create more playing capacity on the same ground area. That translates directly into more playing hours, more members and better occupancy of the facility.
Besides the surface area, the playing experience also differs. Padel is played in an enclosed cage in which the walls are an active part of the game. Tennis is played on an open court without an enclosing structure. That fundamental difference in how the game works also explains why the courts are so different in size.
How much space do you need to build a padel court?
To build a single padel court you need at least 21 by 11 metres. This is the minimum installation space including the cage structure. For an optimal playing experience with sufficient run-off space at the sides, 21 by 14 metres is recommended.
This extra space at the sides, the so-called run-off zones, is not only pleasant for players but also important for safety. At busy venues or when used for league play, sufficient space between two adjacent courts is also something to consider.
For indoor venues, the clear height also counts. A minimum of 6 metres is required, but more is always better. When planning, also take into account access paths, emergency exits and any technical rooms for lighting or electrical equipment. A thorough site check beforehand prevents surprises during construction.
Can several padel courts fit on the site of one tennis court?
Yes, two padel courts fit on the site of one tennis court, sometimes even more, depending on the exact dimensions of the tennis court and the available space around it. This makes converting a tennis court into padel courts an attractive option for clubs that want to increase their capacity.
A standard tennis court including run-off zones quickly takes up 36 by 18 metres, which comes to approximately 648 m². Two padel courts including run-off zones together take up approximately 21 by 28 metres, so 588 m². In theory that fits on the site of one tennis court, although the exact layout always depends on the location.
When converting a tennis court into padel courts, the existing foundation also plays a role. In some cases part of the substructure can be reused, which saves costs. Whether that is possible depends on the condition of the existing foundation, the soil conditions and the requirements placed on the new courts. A structural assessment on site is always the first step.
Converting 2 tennis courts into 4 padel courts, read about the possibilities here: Converting a tennis court into a padel court | I-Padel
What are the dimensions of a padel court for custom projects or special locations?
The official playing dimensions of a padel court are fixed and are always 20 by 10 metres. What can vary are the structural solutions around that fixed size: the height of the cage, the weight of the steel structure, the layout of glass and mesh, and the run-off zones.
At special locations, such as a hall with a low ceiling, a narrow strip of land or a site with specific wind loads, the structural calculations are adapted to the conditions on site. Think of a coastal location with a higher wind load, or an indoor location with limited height where the floodlight masts are configured differently.
Also, sound-absorbing panels require custom structural work. When panels are fitted to the outside of the cage, wind permeability decreases. The cage structure must then be reinforced with heavier posts, additional columns or modified connections. This applies both to new courts and to existing courts where panels are added afterwards. Without that adjustment the structure is neither safe nor durable.
In short: the playing dimensions are fixed, but the structure around those dimensions is always custom work for each location.
Read more about custom padel courts
Which type of foundation suits the dimensions and location of a padel court?
The choice of the right foundation type depends on the location, the intended use and the soil conditions. The three most commonly used foundation types for padel courts are drainage concrete, Supersub and ZOAB asphalt. Each type has its own properties that make it more or less suitable for a specific situation.
- Drainage concrete
Drainage concrete is a water-permeable type of concrete in which rainwater drains straight through the foundation into the ground. It is a widely used solution for outdoor padel courts where drainage and stability are important. A drainage concrete foundation lasts 25 to 40 years on average and is resistant to frost, heat and intensive use. - Supersub
Supersub is a foundation solution based on foam concrete, a light, self-levelling material that provides a flat and stable base. It is shock-absorbing, water-permeable in the outdoor version and particularly suitable for both new-build and conversion projects. When converting a tennis court into padel courts, Supersub is regularly used, with a thickness of approximately 10 cm for renovation and approximately 15 cm for new construction. - ZOAB asphalt
ZOAB asphalt (open-graded asphalt concrete) is a porous type of asphalt that lets water through. It is used less often for padel courts, but can be a good choice in certain situations, for example at locations where an asphalt base is already present.
Certification and quality mark
In the Netherlands, all foundation components must be approved by Kiwa ISA Sport. This quality mark ensures that the materials meet the applicable standards for sports infrastructure. Anyone who is insufficiently aware of this risks using materials that are not certified, with consequences for the inspection of the court and its use for official matches. Working with certified materials is therefore not an extra, but a requirement.
When building padel courts we always advise on the basis of a site check: soil conditions, wind load, intensity of use and budget together determine which foundation type suits best. At I-Padel we supply and install all three types, so you always get the solution that fits your situation, and not whatever happens to be in stock.
Are you considering converting a tennis court into padel courts, or do you want to know what is possible at your site? We are happy to think along with you, without obligation, about the possibilities, the dimensions and the best approach for your project.
Frequently asked questions
Can I also build a padel court on an existing grass surface or unpaved ground?
An unpaved or grass surface is not in itself a suitable base for a padel court, but it is certainly not an insurmountable obstacle. The existing ground is first assessed for bearing capacity and stability, after which a suitable foundation such as drainage concrete or Supersub is laid. A site check beforehand is essential to determine which preparatory groundwork is needed and what the impact is on the total budget.
What are the most common mistakes when planning the space for a padel court?
The most common mistake is calculating with only the playing dimensions (20 x 10 metres) and forgetting that the cage structure, run-off zones, access paths and technical rooms require extra space. A second common mistake is underestimating the clear height at indoor venues: 6 metres is the absolute minimum, but in practice a lower ceiling height leads to modifications to the structure that bring additional costs. Always plan with a total outer dimension of at least 21 x 11 metres as your starting point, and preferably 21 x 14 metres.
On average, how long does it take to build a padel court, from first contact to completion?
The lead time of a padel court project typically varies between 6 and 16 weeks, depending on the complexity of the site, the permits required and the contractor's schedule. The actual construction time on site is relatively short, often 1 to 2 weeks per court, but preparation such as the site check, structural calculations and any groundwork largely determines the overall timeline. Starting the planning phase early prevents unnecessary delays.
Do I need a permit to build a padel court?
Whether an environmental permit is required depends on the municipality, the location and whether the court is built indoors or outdoors. Outdoor padel courts are in many cases regarded as structures for which a permit is required, especially when a cage structure with a foundation is installed. It is strongly advisable to check this with the municipality at an early stage, so that the permit procedure does not delay the project schedule.
Roughly what does it cost to convert a tennis court into two padel courts?
The costs of a conversion project vary greatly depending on the condition of the existing foundation, the materials chosen, the type of cage and the site-specific conditions. In general terms, the cost of two padel courts including foundation, cage structure and artificial turf is between €80,000 and €150,000, but this depends heavily on the situation on site. If part of the existing tennis court foundation can be reused, the costs can turn out considerably lower; a structural assessment on site will give you a definitive answer.
Which type of artificial turf is suitable for a padel court, and does it make a difference to playing quality?
For padel courts, a specific artificial turf is used that has been approved by the World Padel Tour (WPT) and meets the requirements of the FIP (Federación Internacional de Pádel). The pile height, fibre thickness and the type of infill sand or rubber determine the playing speed, the bounce characteristics of the ball and the comfort for the player. Choosing certified artificial turf is not only a matter of quality, but also a requirement if the court is used for official matches or tournaments.
Is it possible to extend or modify a padel court later, for example with sound-absorbing panels?
Yes, it is possible to modify an existing padel court afterwards, but this always requires a structural reassessment of the cage structure. Sound-absorbing panels on the outside reduce wind permeability, which places extra load on the posts and connections; without reinforcing the structure this is not safe. It is wise to take possible future extensions into account during the initial construction, so that the structure can be prepared for them and later modifications are less invasive and costly.
