You’d Be Surprised How Small the Court Is…Until You Try to Win a Rally on It.

The official size of a pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for both singles and doubles. This standard comes from USA Pickleball regulations. Any deviation from these dimensions would not meet regulation play standards. The size ensures fairness in gameplay and is compact compared to other racket sports.

Although the court playing area is 20x44 feet, you need space around it for safety and movement. 30x60 feet is recommended to accommodate running space, net posts, and sideline clearance. Without this buffer, gameplay feels cramped and increases injury risk.

For a functional DIY pickleball setup in a driveway, the surface must be smooth and even to allow the ball to bounce consistently. A fancy scoreboard or logo won’t help if players are tripping over cracks or potholes. It’s about playability, not Instagrammability.

The most expensive components of a court build aren’t visual—they’re structural. Fencing and surfacing (asphalt or concrete finishing, coating, nets, etc.) make up the majority of the cost. These are essential for usability and durability.

A basic outdoor pickleball court in the US typically costs around $10,000–$15,000. This range includes surfacing, nets, lines, fencing, and labor. Anything less is likely a DIY variant or missing essential elements.

Asphalt is popular because it offers good bounce performance, durability, and cost-efficiency. Unlike concrete, it's slightly more forgiving on joints. It’s also easier to repair and resurface when cracks appear. This makes it an ideal choice for recreational and community courts.

The net should be 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches in the center. This allows the ball to clear while keeping gameplay dynamic. It's designed this way for proper arc and volley response in both singles and doubles formats.

Indoor court builds require higher ceilings to allow for proper lob shots and advanced play, and specialized lighting so players can track the fast-moving ball. These infrastructure elements significantly add to the overall cost.

Home court builders often forget about grading and drainage, especially outdoors. Without this, water pooling can damage surfaces and make the court unsafe. Proper sloping and water channels are essential but often overlooked in cost planning.

Courts vary widely in cost based on the materials used (concrete vs asphalt), terrain preparation, optional upgrades (like lighting, fencing), and location-based factors. It’s not about what the game needs—it’s about what the owner wants to add.