
Badminton is a racquet sport that involves hitting a shuttlecock over a net to score points. The sport can be played in singles or doubles matches, with the former being a solo battle and the latter requiring coordination with a teammate. Interestingly, the doubles court is wider than the singles court, with the singles court measuring 5.18m (17ft) in width and the doubles court extending to 6.1m (20ft). However, the length of the court remains the same for both types of matches, at 13.4m (44ft). The difference in court sizing between singles and doubles in badminton is indeed intriguing and can significantly impact gameplay strategies and dynamics.
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What You'll Learn

Singles court width: 5.18m (17 feet)
The width of a singles badminton court is 5.18 metres or 17 feet. This is the distance between the inner sidelines, which are the lines that denote the width of the court for singles matches. The inner sidelines run parallel to the outer sidelines or "doubles sidelines", which are 0.46 metres or 1.5 feet wider on each side.
The width of the badminton court varies depending on whether a singles or doubles match is being played. The doubles court is wider than the singles court to accommodate both players. The singles court width is 5.18 metres or 17 feet, while the doubles court width is 6.1 metres or 20 feet.
The badminton court is rectangular and divided into two halves by a net. The length of the court remains the same for both singles and doubles matches, at 13.4 metres or 44 feet. The width, however, differs between singles and doubles, with the singles court being narrower than the doubles court.
The singles court width of 5.18 metres or 17 feet is the distance between the inner sidelines, which are the lines that set the width of the court for singles matches. The outer sidelines or "doubles sidelines" are the lines that denote the width of the court for doubles matches. They are 0.46 metres or 1.5 feet wider than the inner sidelines on each side.
The width of the badminton court is an important factor in the game. The narrower width of the singles court allows players to cover the court more easily when playing alone, while the wider width of the doubles court provides more space for two players to move and coordinate their shots. The width of the court can impact the strategy and gameplay, as players need to adjust their shots and positioning based on the court dimensions.
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Doubles court width: 6.1m (20 feet)
The standard width of a badminton court for doubles play is 6.1m (20 feet). This width is the same for all levels of play, from junior games to senior Olympic matches. The width of the court is mandated by the sport's governing body, the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
The doubles sideline, also known as the "outer tramline", is marked 5.18m (17 feet) from the centre of the court and runs parallel to the other sideline. Any shot that lands inside the doubles sideline is considered "in" or valid for doubles matches. If the shuttlecock falls outside the sideline, it is considered out of play.
The width of the doubles court is also the width of the badminton net. The net should be made of a dark-coloured, fine cord with a mesh thickness of 15-20mm. The net should be 760mm in depth and at least 6.1m wide, the same width as the doubles court. The top of the net should be edged with a 75mm white tape, doubled over a cord or cable. The cord or cable should be stretched firmly, flush with the top of the posts. The net should be 1.52m (5 feet) high at its centre and 1.55m (5.1 feet) high at the sides.
The width of the doubles court is also used to calculate the size of each of the two spaces on either side of the net. Each of these spaces measures 22 feet by 20 feet.
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Length remains the same: 13.4m (44 feet)
The length of a standard badminton court is always 13.4m (44 feet) for both singles and doubles matches. This measurement is mandated by the sport's governing body, the Badminton World Federation (BWF), and is standard for all levels of play, from junior games to senior Olympic matches.
The length of the court is marked by the outer sidelines, which run parallel to one another and are separated by a distance of 5.18m (17 feet) in singles matches and 6.1m (20 feet) in doubles matches. Any shot that lands inside the outer sideline is considered "in" or valid for doubles matches, whereas shots that land outside the inner sidelines are considered "out of play" in singles matches.
The badminton court is rectangular in shape and is divided into two halves by a net that runs through the middle. The court's length is measured from the outside edge of one outer sideline to the outside edge of the other. The total diagonal length of the court is 14.7m (47.15 feet).
The clearance or "surround" around the perimeter of the badminton court is also specified, with a recommended distance of 2 feet (0.61m) from the sidelines and baselines to any surrounding walls or structures. This distance is increased to a minimum of 2m by most sports organizations to ensure the safety of players.
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Singles service boxes are slightly longer
The badminton court is a rectangle that accommodates both singles and doubles matches. The length of a standard badminton court is the same for both singles and doubles matches, measuring 13.4 metres or 44 feet. The width of the court, however, differs between singles and doubles matches. The doubles court is wider than the singles court to make room for both players. The singles court is narrower, measuring 5.18 metres or 17 feet, while the doubles court extends to 6.1 metres or 20 feet in width.
The key difference between singles and doubles badminton courts lies in the service boxes. In singles badminton, the service boxes are slightly longer, with a boundary line that reaches the back of the court. This means that the shuttlecock must be served beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines. The singles sideline and baseline define the service area for singles matches.
In contrast, the doubles game has a shorter service length. The long service line in doubles is positioned closer to the net, at a distance of 0.72 metres or 2.36 feet from the baseline. This line acts as the marker for service in doubles, distinguishing it from singles. The service court in doubles is marked by both the centre line and the long service line, which is closer to the net than in singles.
The difference in service box lengths between singles and doubles badminton is an important distinction for players to be aware of. The longer service box in singles provides a greater area for serving the shuttlecock, allowing for more variation in serving strategies. The shorter service box in doubles emphasises the importance of precise serving within the designated area.
The variation in court sizes and service boxes between singles and doubles badminton creates distinct strategic considerations for players. Singles badminton offers more court space for offensive strategies and the opportunity to utilise distance and deception to gain an advantage. Doubles badminton, on the other hand, requires coordination and communication with a partner, demanding different tactics to cover the court effectively.
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Doubles long service line is 0.72m (2.36 ft) closer to the net
A badminton court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net. The standard length of a badminton court is 13.41 metres (44 feet), and the width is 6.1 metres (20 feet) for doubles and 5.18 metres (17 feet) for singles. The difference in width is to accommodate the extra player on each team in a doubles match.
The service courts are marked by a centre line that divides the width of the court and a short service line 1.98 metres (6.5 feet) from the net. In singles matches, the shuttlecock must be served diagonally from one side of the court to the other, landing within the singles sideline and the baseline.
The doubles long service line is placed 0.76 metres (2.5 feet) from the back boundary line. This is 0.72 metres (2.36 feet) closer to the net than the baseline in singles matches. This shorter service length in doubles is an exception to the general rule that the doubles court is simply wider than the singles court.
In Para-badminton wheelchair singles, the doubles long service line is used, along with the doubles sideline and only half the court.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the doubles court is wider than the singles court, but both are the same length.
The length of a standard badminton court is 13.4m (44 feet) for both singles and doubles matches.
The width of a doubles court is 6.1m (20 feet), and the width of a singles court is 5.18m (17 feet).
Yes, the service courts are marked differently. In addition to the 'short service line', which is used for both singles and doubles, there is a 'long service line' that is specific to doubles and is placed 0.72-0.76m (2.36-2.5 feet) in from the back boundary.










































