Andrew Pace
Badminton is a racket sport that can be played in singles or doubles matches. The standard length of a badminton court is 13.4m (44 feet) for both types of matches. However, the width of the court differs depending on the type of match being played. For singles matches, the court width is 5.18m (17 feet), whereas for doubles matches, the width is extended to 6.1m (20 feet). The badminton net in the middle of the court stands at a height of 1.55m (5 feet 1 inch) at the ends and 1.52m (5 feet) in the middle. The official distance that should be maintained around the perimeter of the court is 0.61m (2 feet).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length of a standard badminton court | 13.40m or 44 feet |
| Width of a singles court | 5.18m or 17 feet |
| Width of a doubles court | 6.1m or 20 feet |
| Full court diagonal measurement | 14.723m |
| Height of net at ends | 1.55m or 5 feet 1 inch |
| Height of net in the middle | 1.52m or 5 feet |
| Width of net | 6.10m |
| Short service line distance from net | 1.98m or 6.5 feet |
| Long service line distance from back boundary | 0.72m or 2.36 feet |
| Distance from net for long service line in singles | 6.7m or 22 feet |
| Distance from back boundary for long service line in doubles | 2.03m or 6.66 feet |
| Clearance around the court | Minimum 0.61m or 2 feet, recommended 2m |
| Height clearance for indoor courts | Minimum 9.14m or 30 feet |
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Singles vs doubles court
The standard badminton court is a rectangular indoor court that is 17.4 ft or 5.31m wide and 44 ft or 13.41m long. The net is 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) high at the edges and 1.524 metres (5.00 feet) high in the centre. The net posts are placed over the doubles sidelines, even when singles is played. The court dimensions and service rules vary between singles and doubles matches.
In singles, there is one player on each end of the court, whereas, in doubles, there are two players on each end. The singles court is narrower than the doubles court, with sidelines measuring 5.18m or 17ft, compared to 6.1m or 20ft in doubles. The singles service boxes are slightly longer, with the boundary line at the back of the court, whereas the doubles long service line is 0.72m or 2.36ft closer to the net.
The service rules are also different between singles and doubles. In singles, there are no special rules beyond the rotation system based on the server's score. In doubles, the players who are not serving or receiving can stand anywhere on their side of the court, provided they do not block the receiver's view. The rotation system refers to the positioning of players at the beginning of the rally, based on the server's score. In both singles and doubles, the server will serve from the left side of the court if their score is odd and from the right side if it is even.
The gameplay strategy also differs between singles and doubles. In singles, the player has full control over their shots and can use the power of distance to tire out their opponent. In doubles, players must coordinate their moves and play to their teammate's strengths. They can use a combination of shots to regain the upper hand when under pressure.
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Clearance area
The clearance area, or perimeter, of a badminton court is the space that should be left around the outside of the court. This is an important safety feature, keeping athletes and spectators out of harm's way and ensuring that players' movement is not restricted. The official distance, or "surround", recommended by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) is 2 feet (0.61 metres) around the perimeter of the court.
However, many sporting organisations advise that a larger clearance area is beneficial, particularly if there are walls or other potential hazards near the court. In this case, a minimum safety border of 2 metres from the sidelines and baselines to the nearest wall or structure is recommended. This means that for a standard doubles badminton court, a minimum space of 94.07 square metres is required, with a width of 7.32 metres and a length of 14.63 metres.
Ideally, the clearance area should be even larger, with a width of 10.10 metres and a length of 17.41 metres, providing a surface area of 124.82 square metres. This allows plenty of room for players to move around the court without restriction and helps to prevent injuries.
For indoor badminton courts, it is also recommended that there is a vertical clearance of 30 feet (9.14 metres) to ensure that shots do not hit the roof. For outdoor courts, this clearance can help to prevent shots from hitting trees or branches.
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Service lines
The service lines in badminton are crucial for understanding the rules and strategy of the game. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) outlines specific guidelines for the dimensions of a standard badminton court, which include the positioning and distances of the service lines.
The badminton court is divided into two halves by a net, with each half measuring 6.7m (22 feet) in length. The net stands at 1.55m (5.1 feet) tall at its poles, with a height of 1.52m (5 feet) in the centre, where it sags slightly. Each half of the court is further divided vertically down the middle, creating four service courts. These service courts are 3.88m (12.72 feet) long and 2.53m (8.3 feet) wide.
The service lines play a significant role in the dynamics of the game and influence serving strategies. The court features two service lines: the short service line and the long service line. The short service line is 1.98m (6.5 feet) from the net, acting as a minimum distance that the shuttlecock must travel during a serve. If the shuttlecock fails to cross this line, it results in a fault. The long service line is 0.72m (2.36 feet) in from the baseline, serving as the marker for the backcourt during a serve.
In singles matches, the service rules differ from those in doubles. During a singles game, the shuttlecock must land within the singles sideline and the baseline on the opponent's side of the court. When serving from the right-hand side, the shuttlecock must travel diagonally over the net into the left-hand side of the opponent's court. The long service line for singles is the rear boundary of the court, while in doubles, it is marked by a separate line, the short service line, which is 13 feet from the net.
The dimensions and distances of the service lines vary slightly between singles and doubles matches, adding a layer of strategic depth to the game. Understanding these variations is essential for players to adapt their serving strategies and maximise their performance on the court.
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Net height
The net is an integral part of a badminton court. The standard net height for a badminton court is 5 feet or 1.524 metres in the centre of the net and 5 feet 1 inch or 1.55 metres at the ends. The net spans the width of the court and should be placed directly over the middle, stretching from sideline to sideline. The poles supporting the net have a height of 1.55 metres, while the mesh net itself has a height of 2.6 feet or 0.79 metres.
The net height may vary for junior badminton players. Mini badminton is designed for children, using a smaller court and a lower net to make the game more enjoyable and less frustrating. The net may be lowered to 2.5 feet or 30 inches for junior players, and the length of the court is usually shorter at 34 feet instead of the standard 44 feet.
There is no regulation in the rules governing ceiling height for badminton courts. However, a minimum ceiling height of 30 feet is recommended to prevent shots from hitting the roof.
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Court surface
The surface area of a doubles badminton court is 81.80m² or 880.00ft². The official distance that should be left as a "surround" or border to a badminton court is 2ft (0.61m) around the perimeter. However, a larger safety perimeter is often recommended. Sport Scotland, for example, requires a 2m (6.56ft) gap between the court and any walls or hazardous obstacles. For a standard doubles badminton court, you will need a minimum space of 94.07m² (1012.56ft²) with a width of 7.32m (24ft) and a length of 14.63m (48ft). Ideally, the space should be 10.10m (33.14ft) wide and 17.41m (57.12ft) long, with a surface area of 124.82m² (1343.55ft²).
Badminton courts are usually laid on wooden floors with synthetic mats used as the surface of the court. The courts are meant to provide a cushion and comfort to players who move quickly across the playing surface. The flooring must be safe and suitable for gameplay, and options include wood, synthetic, and rubber flooring. The posts should be placed on the doubles sidelines and should be 1.55 meters in height from the surface of the court. The net itself should be made of a fine, dark-coloured cord with a mesh of not less than 15 mm and not more than 20 mm. The net should be 1.55m (5.09ft) high at the ends/outer sidelines and 1.524m (5.00ft) high at the centre.
The actual lines on the court should be 4cm (1.57 inches) thick and need to be a colour that is easily distinguishable from the surface of the court surface - usually white or yellow. The short service line is 1.98m (6.5 feet) from the net, and the long service line is 0.72m (2.36 feet) in from the baseline, specifically marked for doubles. In singles, the service needs to be beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines, while in doubles, the service should be beyond the short service line but within the long service line.
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Frequently asked questions
The length of a standard badminton court is 13.40m or 44 feet.
The width of a badminton court differs for singles and doubles matches. For singles, the width is 5.18m or 17 feet, and for doubles, it is 6.1m or 20 feet.
The net stands at a height of 1.55m or 5 feet 1 inch at the ends and dips to 1.52m or 5 feet in the middle.
The total playing area of a badminton court is 880 square feet.
There should be a clearance of at least 1 meter (3.28 feet) on the sides and 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) from the back boundary line.
