A padel court is an enclosed space measuring 10 × 20 metres, surrounded by glass walls and metal fencing. Understanding exact dimensions and markings helps you grasp the logic behind the rules and improve your positional play.
Net Zone (La Red)No Man's Land (Tierra de Nadie)Back Zone (El Fondo)Back Wall (Pared de Fondo)Side Wall (Pared Lateral)
Overall Dimensions
According to the FIP (International Padel Federation) rules, a standard padel court has strictly defined dimensions:
Parameter
Size
Length
20 m
Width
10 m
Total area
200 m²
Each half
100 m² (10 × 10 m)
The FIP standard allows a tolerance of ±0.5% from the specified dimensions. The court is divided into two equal halves by the net.
Court Markings
All lines on the court must be white or light-coloured, with a width of 5 cm. Lines are considered part of the zone they delimit.
Service Lines
On each half of the court:
Centre service line — runs perpendicular to the net from the back wall to the service line, dividing the service area into two boxes (left and right)
Service line — runs parallel to the net at a distance of 6.95 m from it (3.05 m from the back wall)
Each service box therefore measures 5 × 6.95 m. The server stands behind the service line on the appropriate side, and the serve is hit diagonally.
The Net
Parameter
Size
Length
10 m (wall to wall)
Height at centre
88 cm
Height at posts/walls
92 cm (maximum)
Overhang beyond posts
up to 0.5 m on each side
The net is strung between two posts (or attached to the side walls). The upper edge is covered with a white tape 5–6.3 cm wide.
Walls and Fencing
The court walls are the defining feature of padel, setting it apart from tennis. According to FIP rules, walls are classified as follows:
Back Walls (fondo)
Height: 4 m across the full width of the court (10 m)
Lower section: solid material (glass or concrete) 3 m high
Upper section: metal fencing 1 m high (from 3 to 4 m)
A ball hitting the fencing remains in play under the wall play rules
Side Walls (lateral)
Side walls have a stepped construction:
Rear section (near back wall): solid material 3 m high, 2 m long
Middle section: solid material 2 m high, 2 m long
Remaining section to the net: metal fencing 3–4 m high
Overall Fencing Height
The entire structure (walls + fencing) reaches 4 m around the court perimeter.
Standard padel court dimensions: 10 × 20 m, service line 6.95 m from the net
Construction Materials
Glass
Tempered glass panels 10–12 mm thick are used for the walls. Glass provides:
Visibility for spectators and coaches
Predictable ball bounce
Aesthetic appearance
Metal Fencing
Galvanised fencing with a maximum mesh size of 7.08 × 7.08 cm (square side). The fencing must be rigid enough for a predictable ball rebound.
Floor Surface
The floor may be made of various materials. For more details on surface types, see Padel Court Surface Types.
Safety Zone
FIP standards require a clear zone around the court:
Behind back walls: minimum 2 m (for exiting through the door — salida por la puerta)
Behind side walls: minimum 1 m
Ceiling height: minimum 6 m (for indoor courts)
Doors
Each side of the court has 1 or 2 entrances placed symmetrically. Standard door:
Size: 1.05 × 2 m (or 2 × 0.72 × 2 m for double doors)
Positioned at the centre of the side wall or symmetrically on either side
Lighting
For tournament courts, FIP recommends:
Minimum 400 lux at playing surface level (for recreational use)
500–1,000+ lux for television broadcasts
Even distribution with no blinding spots
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play on a non-standard court?
For official tournaments, the court must strictly comply with FIP standards. For recreational play, minor deviations are acceptable, but they affect gameplay quality and tactical decisions.
Why are the walls made of glass?
Glass provides better visibility for spectators and a more predictable ball bounce compared to concrete walls. Some club courts still use concrete for the lower wall sections.
How does a padel court differ from a tennis court?
A padel court is four times smaller in area (200 m² vs 648 m²), fully enclosed by walls, and has no doubles alleys. For a detailed comparison, see Padel vs Tennis.
The court surface directly affects game speed, ball bounce, injury risk, and player comfort. The most common type is artificial grass with silica sand, but other options exist.
Blue — the primary colour for Premier Padel tournaments
Green — the classic colour, popular in clubs
Terracotta — found in Spain and Argentina
Colour does not affect playing characteristics, but blue provides the best contrast with the yellow ball for spectators and cameras.
Surface Maintenance
For Artificial Grass with Sand
Task
Frequency
Clearing debris and leaves
Daily
Levelling the sand (rake / machine)
Weekly
Checking sand levels
Monthly
Sand top-up
1–2 times a year
Deep clean (anti-moss treatment)
Once a year
Surface replacement
Every 5–8 years
Weather Impact
Rain: artificial grass with drainage allows play in light rain. Concrete becomes slippery.
Heat: the surface heats up, causing the ball to bounce higher. Watering is recommended for cooling.
Frost: play is not recommended — the surface becomes hard and slippery.
How the Surface Affects Play
Surface
Speed
Playing Style
Grass with sand (standard)
Medium
Versatile, tactical
Concrete
High
Aggressive, fast
Grass without sand
High
Quick exchanges
On slower surfaces (grass with sand), rallies are longer, reaction time is greater, and tactics and positioning matter more. On fast surfaces (concrete), attacking players with powerful shots have the advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which surface is best for beginners?
[EXPERT OPINION] Artificial grass with sand is the clear best choice. It forgives mistakes, allows more reaction time, and is gentler on the joints.
Does the surface affect shoe choice?
Yes. For grass with sand, omni or herringbone outsoles are suitable. For concrete, only herringbone. See Padel Shoes for details.
Choosing between an indoor and outdoor court affects not just comfort but also playing technique, ball speed, and strategy. Understanding the differences helps you adapt your game to any conditions.
Padel was born on outdoor courts in Mexico and Argentina, where warm climates allow year-round play. As the sport spread to Europe, indoor facilities emerged. [UNVERIFIED] In Spain, a significant share of courts are outdoor, while in Sweden and Finland the vast majority are indoor.
Comparison
Parameter
Indoor
Outdoor
Weather dependence
None
High
Wind
None
Significant factor
Lighting
Stable, artificial
Natural + artificial
Temperature
Controlled
Climate-dependent
Construction cost
High
Medium
Operating costs
High
Low
Seasonality
Year-round
Limited by climate
Indoor Courts
Advantages
Weather-independent — rain, snow, and wind don’t affect play
Consistent conditions — predictable ball bounce every session
No wind — the ball flies predictably, crucial for lobs
Sound insulation — less noise impact on residential areas
Year-round operation — no downtime in cold regions
Disadvantages
Higher construction cost — building, roofing, HVAC add to the budget
Operating expenses — heating, air conditioning, ventilation
Minimum ceiling height — FIP requires 6 m minimum, 8 m recommended for new facilities
Ventilation — poor airflow makes surfaces slippery
Outdoor Courts
Advantages
Lower construction cost — no building or roof needed
Minimal operating expenses — no heating required
Natural lighting — comfortable and free
Fresh air — pleasant atmosphere
Disadvantages
Weather-dependent — rain and strong wind make play impossible
Wind — significantly affects ball trajectory
Sun — glare during serves and overhead shots
Surface wears faster under UV, rain, and temperature changes
Seasonal — 3–6 months of downtime in cold climates
Weather Impact on Play
Wind
Wind speed
Impact
Light (up to 10 km/h)
Minimal
Moderate (10–25 km/h)
Lobs and bandejas need adjustment
Strong (25+ km/h)
Play becomes unpredictable
[EXPERT OPINION] Above 25 km/h, match quality drops significantly. Many clubs cancel bookings on outdoor courts.
Temperature
Heat (30°C+): ball bounces higher and faster. Extra hydration is essential.
Cold (0–10°C): ball becomes heavy and slow. Thorough warm-up is mandatory.
Building a padel court is an investment that requires understanding FIP standards, material selection, and infrastructure planning. This guide helps clubs, investors, and municipalities make informed decisions.
The Setúbal District and its neighbours on the south bank of the Tagus offer more than a dozen padel venues — from premium indoor centres with WPT-grade courts to affordable municipal facilities. This guide lists every club we could verify, grouped by city.
[UNVERIFIED] Prices and court counts were gathered from club websites, Playtomic, and AirCourts in February 2026. They may have changed — always confirm with the club before visiting.
Amenities: bar & lounge, free parking (24/7 surveillance), changing rooms with lockers, pro shop, racket rental. The club has hosted FIP Bronze Setúbal tournaments.
Amenities: bar with terrace (Terra Café), changing rooms, 230 m² fitness studio (GoodVibes classes), padel school for youth and adults. Open since June 2018.
Amenities: 3 covered courts + 1 outdoor panoramic, Novotel pool and gym access for members, bar & restaurant (hotel), parking. Founded by two certified coaches, open since May 2023.
Azeitão
Arrábida Padel
Detail
Info
Address
Rua Dr. Francisco Gonçalves de Oliveira, 2925-527 Vila Nogueira de Azeitão
Amenities: bar with terrace, changing rooms, pro shop (rackets & gear), views of Serra da Arrábida. The largest club in the area, open since March 2018.
[UNVERIFIED] This club opened in 2024 but had a delayed inauguration and limited online presence. We recommend calling to confirm it is currently operating before visiting.
Amenities: bar-lounge, parking, padel academy.
Palmela
Campos de Padel de Pinhal Novo
Detail
Info
Address
Rua Orlando Ribeiro, 2955-211 Pinhal Novo (Municipal Swimming Pool complex)
Amenities: lounge & restaurant (also on Uber Eats), bar & esplanade, children’s space, padel school. The largest indoor facility in the Palmela municipality.
Padel nas Pirâmides
Detail
Info
Address
Estrada dos Quatro Castelos, 2950-536 Quinta do Conde
Amenities: bar with chef-prepared menu, covered terrace, free private parking, changing rooms with lockers, pro shop (rackets, clothing, accessories), racket and ball rental.
