
Badminton is a racquet sport played with a shuttlecock, also known as a birdie or bird. The badminton court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net. The court surface is usually made from PVC, PU, or wood, with synthetic mats laid on top. The standard length of a badminton court is 13.4 metres (44 feet), with a width of 5.18 metres (17 feet) for singles matches and 6.1 metres (20 feet) for doubles matches. The net height is 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) at the ends and 1.52 metres (5 feet) in the middle. The court has service lines, centre lines, and backcourt lines, with the actual lines being 4 cm (1.57 inches) thick and usually white in colour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Court shape | Rectangular |
| Length | 13.4m (44 feet) |
| Width (singles) | 5.18m (17 feet) |
| Width (doubles) | 6.1m (20 feet) |
| Total area | 880 square feet |
| Clearance area | 1m on the sides and 1.5m from the back boundary line |
| Net height (edges) | 1.55m (5 feet 1 inch) |
| Net height (centre) | 1.52m (5 feet) |
| Service courts (length) | 3.88m (12.72 feet) |
| Service courts (width) | 2.53m (8.3 feet) |
| Short service line | 1.98m (6.5 feet) from the net |
| Long service line | 0.72m (2.36 feet) from the baseline |
| Service court (singles) | Beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines |
| Service court (doubles) | Beyond the short service line and the long service line acts as the marker on the backcourt |
| Court surface | Wood, synthetic mats, rubber, PVC, PU, cement, asphalt, grass, or artificial turf |
| Court colour | Green, blue, red, or natural timber |
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What You'll Learn
- Court dimensions: 44' long, 20' wide for doubles, 17' wide for singles
- Court surfaces: wood, synthetic mats, rubber, PVC, PU, or asphalt
- Net height: 5'1 at the edges, 5' in the centre
- Service courts: 12.72' long, 8.3' wide
- Service lines: short service line 6.5' from net, long service line 2.36' in from baseline

Court dimensions: 44' long, 20' wide for doubles, 17' wide for singles
The length of a standard badminton court is 44 feet (13.40 metres or 13.41 metres) for both singles and doubles matches. The width of the court, however, differs according to the type of match. For doubles matches, the width is 20 feet (6.1 metres), whereas for singles matches, the width is reduced to 17 feet (5.18 metres). The full court measures 14.723 metres diagonally.
The badminton court is rectangular in shape and is divided into two halves by a net, with each half measuring 22 feet (6.7 metres) long. The net stands at a height of 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 metres) at its edges and dips to 5 feet (1.52 metres) in the middle. The two playing areas on either side of the net are further vertically divided down the middle, demarcating the service areas.
The service courts are split by a centre line dividing the width of the court and are set back from the net by a 'short service line' of 6.5 feet (1.98 metres). In singles matches, the service needs to be beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines. For doubles matches, the service should be beyond the short service line, but it is the 'long service line' that acts as the marker for the backcourt. This long service line is placed 2.5 feet (0.76 metres or 0.72 metres) in from the back boundary.
The court's surface is usually made from PVC or PU, laid onto wooden floors found in indoor sports halls. Synthetic flooring is considered safer than playing directly on a sports hall floor, as it provides a cushioned surface with additional shock absorption. It also offers anti-slip properties, reducing the risk of falls or diving shots.
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Court surfaces: wood, synthetic mats, rubber, PVC, PU, or asphalt
The surface of a badminton court can be made from a variety of materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a detailed look at some of the most common court surfaces:
Wood
Wooden badminton courts are typically made of hardwood and are considered one of the best surfaces for indoor badminton. Wood provides a unique capacity to absorb pressure while being gentle on players' joints. Wooden courts are often combined with other materials to enhance their performance, such as synthetic mats or a vinyl impact absorbent covering. However, they can be quite expensive to install and maintain, and they may become slippery when wet or sweaty.
Synthetic Mats
Synthetic mats, made from materials like PVC or PU, are widely considered the best option for badminton courts. These mats are anti-slip, softer than wood, and provide excellent grip for players' shoes. They also offer additional shock absorption and can be easily laid on top of existing wooden sports hall floors, providing a combination of the benefits of both wood and synthetic surfaces. Synthetic mats are popular for large-scale events and tournaments due to their versatility, durability, and low maintenance.
Rubber
Rubber flooring is commonly used for indoor badminton courts and is known for its shock absorption and injury reduction qualities. It is a natural material that provides a cushioned surface, preserving the floor while reducing sports injuries and player fatigue. Rubber flooring is also easy to install and uninstall and is relatively low maintenance.
Asphalt
Asphalt is a suitable material for outdoor badminton courts. It is durable, resistant to wear and tear, and easy to clean. However, asphalt can become quite hot, which may be uncomfortable for players. Asphalt courts are also associated with a higher risk of repetitive strain injuries due to their hard surface. Therefore, playing on asphalt courts is not recommended on a regular basis.
PVC and PU
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and PU (Polyurethane) are synthetic materials commonly used for indoor badminton court surfaces. These courts can be in the form of mats, which are easy to lay and store. PVC and PU surfaces are anti-slip, long-lasting, and provide excellent grip for players. They also offer stability and shock absorption, enhancing the overall playing experience.
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Net height: 5'1 at the edges, 5' in the centre
A badminton court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net. The net is an integral part of the court and stands at a height of 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 metres) at the ends. It dips to a height of 5 feet (1.52 metres) in the middle. This set-up is the same for both singles and doubles matches.
The net is usually made from PVC or PU, and the court surface is often laid onto wooden floors. The court surface should be made from safe flooring materials, which include wood, synthetic mats, rubber, or artificial turf. Synthetic flooring is considered safer than wood as it is softer and provides more shock absorption. It is also anti-slip, reducing the risk of falls or diving shots.
The synthetic surface is also more durable and requires less maintenance than natural grass, which demands regular watering, mowing, and reseeding. However, synthetic courts can become slippery when players start sweating. For this reason, cement floors are also used for indoor sports flooring, as they enable players to play without slipping.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) specifies that the total area of a badminton court should be 880 square feet, with a clearance area of at least 1 metre on the sides and 1.5 metres from the back boundary line. This ensures the safety of athletes and spectators during play without limiting movement.
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Service courts: 12.72' long, 8.3' wide
A badminton court is a rectangular surface, usually marked for both singles and doubles matches. The total length of a badminton court is 44 feet (13.4 metres) and the width is 20 feet (6.1 metres) for doubles matches, and 17 feet (5.18 metres) for singles matches. The court is divided into halves by a net, with each half further split into two service courts.
Each service court measures 12.72 feet (3.88 metres) in length and 8.3 feet (2.53 metres) in width. The service courts are separated from the net by a short service line, which is 6.5 feet (1.98 metres) from the net. There is also a long service line, which is 2.36 feet (0.72 metres) from the baseline. In singles, the shuttle must be served beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines. In doubles, the shuttle must be served beyond the short service line, but the long service line acts as the marker for the backcourt.
The service courts are an important part of the badminton court, as they dictate the specific rules for service in the game. The service area in singles is 24.4 square metres, while in doubles it is 24.2 square metres. The doubles service court allows the receiver to stand further forward and attack short serves aggressively. This makes doubles matches fast and aggressive from the first stroke.
Badminton courts are usually surfaced with safe flooring materials, including wood, synthetic mats, rubber, and PVC or PU. Synthetic courts are widely considered the best as they are anti-slip and provide shock absorption, creating a safer playing environment.
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Service lines: short service line 6.5' from net, long service line 2.36' in from baseline
A badminton court is rectangular and divided into two halves by a net. The length of a standard badminton court is 13.40m (44 feet) and the width varies depending on whether a singles or doubles game is being played. For singles, the width is 5.18m (17 feet), whereas for doubles, the width is extended to 6.1m (20 feet).
The service courts are split by a centre line dividing the width of the court. There are two service lines: the short service line and the long service line. The short service line is 6.5 feet (1.98m) from the net and the long service line is 2.36 feet (0.72m or 2.5 feet) in from the baseline. In singles, the shuttlecock must be served beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines. In doubles, the service must be beyond the short service line but the long service line acts as the marker on the backcourt.
The service courts are each 3.88m (12.72 feet) long and 2.53m (8.3 feet) wide. The actual lines should be 4cm (1.57 inches) thick and are usually white, although the court colour itself can vary. The court surface is usually made from PVC or PU, synthetic mats, or wood, with the synthetic options providing more cushioning and shock absorption.
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Frequently asked questions
The length of a standard badminton court is 13.40m (44 feet) and the width is 6.1m (20 feet) for doubles matches, and 5.18m (17 feet) for singles matches.
Badminton courts are usually made of wood, synthetic mats, or artificial turf. Synthetic courts are considered the best as they are anti-slip, softer than wood, and provide shock absorption.
There is no specified colour for badminton courts, but they are often green, blue, or red.
The court has service lines, centre and backcourt lines, and a short service line 1.98m (6.5 feet) from the net. There is also a long service line that is used in doubles matches, which is 0.72m (2.36 feet) or 2.5 feet from the back boundary line.










































