How Many Square Feet Is a Tennis Court?

If you’re planning to build, resurface, stripe, or maintain a tennis court, one of the first questions that comes up is simple but important:

How many square feet is a tennis court?

The answer depends on whether you’re measuring just the playing area or the full court footprint, including safety runoffs. Below is a clear breakdown to help you plan accurately.

Standard Tennis Court Dimensions

A regulation tennis court has a clearly defined playing area that stays the same regardless of level of play.

Length: 78 feet
Width (doubles court): 36 feet
Width (singles court): 27 feet

Square Footage (Playing Area Only)

Doubles tennis court: 2,808 square feet (78 × 36)
Singles tennis court: 2,106 square feet (78 × 27)

This measurement includes only the painted lines and in-bounds playing area.

Total Square Footage Including Runoff Space

In real-world construction and resurfacing projects, courts require additional space around the playing area for safety, player movement, and maintenance access.

The most commonly accepted full court footprint is:

Length: 120 feet
Width: 60 feet

Total Area Including Runoffs

7,200 square feet (120 × 60)

This is the number most contractors, designers, and facility managers use when estimating materials, surfacing costs, fencing, and drainage.

Why Square Footage Matters for Tennis Courts

Knowing the correct square footage is critical for:

Accurate construction and resurfacing budgets
Sport court surfacing material estimates
Sealcoating or crack repair planning
Line striping and layout accuracy
Drainage and base preparation

Underestimating square footage often leads to budget overruns or incomplete work scopes.

Common Tennis Court Layout Variations

While the standard dimensions stay consistent, total square footage can vary based on site conditions and use:

Private residential courts: Often closer to the minimum 7,200 sq ft footprint
School or municipal courts: May include larger runoffs or shared fencing
Multi-court facilities: Require spacing between courts and walkways
Blended sport courts: Courts that also include pickleball or basketball lines

Tennis Court Surface Types and Planning Considerations

The surface you choose does not change the square footage, but it does affect how the court is constructed and maintained.

Asphalt: Most common for outdoor courts
Post-tension concrete: Used to reduce cracking
Acrylic sport coatings: Applied over asphalt or concrete
Multi-use courts: Shared layouts with pickleball or basketball

Each surface type has different maintenance, resurfacing, and crack repair requirements.

How Tennis Court Square Footage Affects Maintenance

Maintenance tasks like resurfacing, crack sealing, color coating, and line repainting are all priced and scheduled based on total square footage.

For example:

Resurfacing costs scale with full court area
Line striping depends on layout complexity
Drainage and base repairs increase with larger footprints

Understanding the full footprint helps owners plan long-term maintenance instead of reacting to surface failures.

Quick Reference: Tennis Court Square Footage

Singles playing area: 2,106 sq ft
Doubles playing area: 2,808 sq ft
Full court with runoffs: ~7,200 sq ft

Planning a Tennis Court Project?

If you’re planning to build, resurface, or repaint a tennis court in the greater Seattle or Puget Sound area, knowing the correct square footage is the first step toward a realistic scope and budget.

Well-planned courts last longer, play better, and cost less to maintain over time.

Tennis Court Size & Dimension FAQs

How many square feet is a regulation tennis court?

A regulation tennis court playing area is 2,808 square feet for a doubles court (78 ft × 36 ft). Singles courts measure 2,106 square feet (78 ft × 27 ft).

How big is a tennis court including runoff space?

When including recommended safety runoffs, the total tennis court footprint is approximately 7,200 square feet, based on a 120 ft × 60 ft layout.

What are the official dimensions of a tennis court?

Official tennis court dimensions are:

Length: 78 feet
Width (doubles): 36 feet
Width (singles): 27 feet

Is a tennis court bigger than a basketball court?

Yes. A full tennis court footprint with runoffs (~7,200 sq ft) is significantly larger than a standard basketball court, which is approximately 4,700 square feet.

How much space do you need for a backyard tennis court?

Most residential tennis courts require at least 7,200 square feet to accommodate proper play, safety runoffs, fencing, and maintenance access.

Does court surface type change the square footage?

No. Tennis court dimensions remain the same regardless of surface type. However, asphalt, concrete, and acrylic sport coatings all have different construction and maintenance requirements.

How does square footage affect tennis court resurfacing costs?

Resurfacing, coating, and striping costs are typically calculated using the full court square footage, not just the playing area. Larger footprints increase material, labor, and prep requirements.

Can tennis courts include pickleball lines?

Yes. Many courts are designed as multi-use surfaces with both tennis and pickleball striping. This does not change the court’s square footage, but it does affect layout planning and line painting.