Padel Court Dimensions: Glass, Steel Structure and Lighting Standards

A padel court consists of a 20 x 10 m playing area enclosed by glass and mesh walls with a net in the middle. Compliance with dimensions and standards determines both play quality and player safety.

Padel is a racket sport in which the walls are part of the game. The court's dimensions are therefore not limited to lines on the floor: glass panel heights, mesh position, ceiling height and light placement all directly affect play. The values below follow the framework set by the International Padel Federation (FIP).

Playing area dimensions

• Playing area: 20 m long x 10 m wide (internal dimensions, measured from the inner faces of the walls).
• Net: divides the court into two equal halves; 88 cm high at the centre and a maximum of 92 cm at the ends.
• Service lines: parallel to the net, 6.95 m from it and 3.05 m from the back wall.
• Centre service line: divides the area between the service line and the net in two.
• Line width: 5 cm, usually white.

Wall heights

• Back walls: 3 m high glass panels plus 1 m of mesh on top, 4 m in total.
• Side walls: glass 3 m high over the first 2 m next to the back wall, then 2 m high over the next 2 m; the remaining sections are closed with mesh.
• Access openings: symmetrical openings on both sides of the court, either side of the net.

Glass panels

Padel glass is tempered safety glass; the most common thicknesses are 10 mm and 12 mm. Thicker glass gives a more consistent rebound and less vibration. Panels are fixed with special fittings so that glass and steel never touch directly. Installation tolerances at glass edges must be respected to avoid breakage.

Steel structure

• Material: hot-dip galvanising with electrostatic powder coating on top is the most reliable outdoor protection against corrosion.
• Classic vs panoramic: in classic courts the side glass is carried by posts. Panoramic courts have no posts between the side panels, improving spectator view and broadcast quality.
• Anchoring: the structure is fixed to the concrete slab with chemical or mechanical anchors. Wind loads on outdoor courts must be verified by structural calculation.

Ceiling height and surrounding space

Indoors, the clear height above the playing area must be at least 6 m; higher values are preferred for professional use. Space should be left around the court for maintenance, run-off and spectators, and the spacing between adjacent courts must be planned.

Lighting

Luminaires should be placed along the sides, outside the playing area, so they do not dazzle players. Sports lighting follows EN 12193. As a general guide:

• Recreational and training use: about 300 lux
• Club and regional competitions: 500 lux and above
• Televised tournaments: higher values according to broadcast requirements

Uniformity (minimum/average ratio) matters as much as intensity; there should be no dark areas on the court.

Orientation and drainage

For outdoor courts, a north–south long axis reduces low sun in players' eyes in the morning and evening. The slab is given a slight fall for surface water and drainage is planned around the court. See our article on court drainage and slope design.

SFS Engineering builds structure, glass, flooring and lighting to the correct dimensions on a turnkey basis in its padel court construction projects. For surface choice read padel court flooring, and for key pre-project points padel court construction: 4 critical facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many square metres is a padel court?

The playing area is 20 x 10 m, or 200 m². The area needed including structure and surrounding space is larger and should be defined at design stage.

How thick should padel glass be?

Tempered safety glass is used, most commonly 10 mm or 12 mm. 12 mm glass gives a more consistent rebound and less vibration.

What ceiling height does an indoor padel court need?

A clear height of at least 6 m above the playing area; higher ceilings are preferred for professional use.

What is a panoramic padel court?

A court with no supporting posts in the side glass walls. It widens the field of view and improves the spectator and broadcast experience.

Get technical support for your project: SFS Engineering handles site survey, design, material selection and installation as a single contractor. Send us your dimensions and site details through our contact page and we will work out the right solution together.