Pickleball Court vs Tennis Court: Size, Layout, and Conversion Explained

As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, many property owners, HOAs, schools, and municipalities ask the same question:

What’s the difference between a pickleball court and a tennis court?

More specifically:

• How big is a pickleball court compared to a tennis court?
• How many pickleball courts fit on a tennis court?
• Can you convert a tennis court to pickleball?

This guide breaks down court sizes, layouts, and conversion options in a clear, practical way.

Pickleball Court Size vs Tennis Court Size

Standard Pickleball Court Dimensions

• Length: 44 feet
• Width: 20 feet
• Total playing area: 880 square feet

Standard Tennis Court Dimensions

• Length: 78 feet
• Width (doubles): 36 feet
• Total playing area: 2,808 square feet

Full Court Footprint (Including Runoffs)

• Pickleball court with runoffs: ~1,800 sq ft
• Tennis court with runoffs: ~7,200 sq ft

This size difference is why tennis courts are often used for multi-court pickleball layouts.

How Many Pickleball Courts Fit on a Tennis Court?

Depending on layout and safety spacing, a single tennis court can typically accommodate:

• 2 pickleball courts comfortably (most common)
• 4 pickleball courts with optimized striping and net placement

Four-court layouts are popular for public facilities and clubs, but they require careful planning to avoid overlap and safety issues.

Pickleball Lines on a Tennis Court

One of the most common setups today is a shared-use court with both tennis and pickleball lines.

Key considerations include:

• Using contrasting colors to reduce confusion
• Maintaining correct pickleball court dimensions
• Net placement or portable pickleball nets
• Avoiding excessive line clutter

Proper layout matters more than simply adding extra lines.

Pickleball Court Layout on a Tennis Court

There are two primary layout approaches:

1. Temporary Pickleball on Tennis Court

• Portable nets
• Temporary tape or chalk lines
• Minimal surface changes

This option works well for occasional use but is not ideal for long-term play.

2. Permanent Tennis Court to Pickleball Conversion

• Permanent pickleball striping
• Dedicated net posts
• Surface resurfacing or recoating

This is the preferred approach for facilities transitioning toward pickleball as a primary use.

Turning a Tennis Court Into a Pickleball Court

Converting a tennis court to pickleball does not change the overall square footage, but it does change:

• Line layout
• Net placement
• Traffic flow
• Maintenance planning

Some conversions keep tennis lines, while others fully remove tennis markings to create dedicated pickleball courts.

Pickleball vs Tennis Court: Which Is Right for Your Property?

The right choice depends on:

• Available space
• User demand
• Noise considerations
• Maintenance budget
• Long-term facility goals

Many properties choose blended layouts as a flexible, cost-effective solution.

Quick Comparison Summary

• Pickleball court size: 44 × 20 ft
• Tennis court size: 78 × 36 ft
• Pickleball courts per tennis court: 2–4
• Conversion possible: Yes

Understanding these differences helps property owners plan smarter upgrades and avoid costly layout mistakes.

Need at estimate for a pickleball court or a tennis court? Request an estimate here!