Basketball Court Sizes: Lengths & Markings (2026)

The standard NBA court measures 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. But that’s just the start. From a compact backyard half court to a regulation high school gym, every level has exact specs that affect everything from paint placement to three-point arc distances.

Basketball Court Dimensions Chart

Keep this chart handy for court construction, gym planning, line marking, or facility design.

Basketball Court Dimensions Chart

Court Level Length (ft) Length (m) Width (ft) Width (m) 3-Point Line Key Width
NBA (Pro)9428.655015.2423.75 ft16 ft
WNBA9428.655015.2422.15 ft16 ft
NCAA College9428.655015.2422 ft 1.75 in12 ft
FIBA International91.8628.0049.2115.0022.15 ft16 ft
High School (NFHS)8425.605015.2419.75 ft12 ft
Junior High / Youth7422.554212.80Not required12 ft
Half Court (NBA)4714.325015.2423.75 ft16 ft
Backyard Half Court30–429.14–12.8030–509.14–15.24OptionalOptional

All measurements follow FIBA, NBA, and NFHS official rulebook standards used across U.S. courts at every level of play.

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Standard Basketball Court Dimensions by Level

Not all basketball courts are the same size. Each level has a specific purpose, a specific audience, and specific numbers that matter for construction and gameplay.

standard-basketball-court-dimension
standard-basketball-court-dimension

NBA Basketball Court Dimensions (The Standard)

It measures 94 feet long (28.65m) and 50 feet wide (15.24m). The three-point arc sits at 23.75 feet from the basket at the top and drops to 22 feet in the corners.

These dimensions have been the NBA standard since 1946. That consistency allows universal compatibility with broadcasting camera angles, shot-clock placement, scorer’s table sizing, and arena seating layouts.

The restricted area arc — a 4-foot semicircle directly under the basket — is one of the most important yet overlooked court markings. It prevents charging fouls when a defender is positioned too close to the hoop.

NCAA College Basketball Court Dimensions

It measures 94 feet long and 50 feet wide — identical to the NBA in overall size.

But the differences are in the details. The key (paint area) is only 12 feet wide compared to the NBA’s 16 feet. The three-point line sits at 22 feet 1.75 inches — moved back from 20 feet 9 inches in 2019 to better reflect the modern game.

FIBA International Basketball Court Dimensions

The FIBA court size is 28 meters long × 15 meters wide — roughly 91.86 ft × 49.21 ft. That’s about 2 feet shorter in length than an NBA court.

FIBA vs. NBA — Side by Side:

FIBA vs. NBA

Measurement FIBA NBA
Length28m (91.86 ft)28.65m (94 ft)
Width15m (49.21 ft)15.24m (50 ft)
Three-Point Line6.75m (22.15 ft)Up to 7.24m (23.75 ft)
Key Width4.9m (16 ft)4.88m (16 ft)
Rim Height3.05m (10 ft)3.05m (10 ft)

FIBA changed its key shape from a trapezoid to a rectangle in 2010. Most countries worldwide now follow this rectangular key standard. The U.S. adopted it at the professional level years earlier.

Minimum ceiling height for international indoor courts is 7 meters (22.96 feet) — enough vertical clearance for full shooting arcs without interference.

High School Basketball Court Dimensions

The NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) sets the standard for all U.S. high school courts:

high-school-basketball-court-dimension
high-school-basketball-court-dimension
  • Court size: 84 feet long × 50 feet wide
  • Three-point line: 19.75 feet from the basket
  • Key width: 12 feet
  • Free throw line: 15 feet from the front of the backboard
  • Rim height: 10 feet — same as every other level

The shorter court gives younger athletes a more proportional playing environment and reduces the physical demands of full-court transition play.

Junior High and Youth Basketball Court Dimensions

Youth courts scale down significantly from high school standards.

youth-basketball-court-dimension
youth-basketball-court-dimension
  • Court size: 74 feet long × 42 feet wide (common standard)
  • Basket height: Sometimes lowered to 8 or 9 feet for younger age groups
  • Three-point line: Often not used at youth levels

USA Basketball officially recommends adjusting both court size and basket height based on player age and physical development. Forcing 10-year-olds to shoot on a 10-foot rim is not developmentally appropriate — and it damages shooting mechanics early.

Basketball Court Dimensions vs. Other Court Dimensions

Courts look similar — but their physical footprints are very different depending on the sport.

Basketball Court Dimensions vs. Other Court Dimensions

Court Type Length (ft) Width (ft) Total Area (sq ft)
NBA Basketball Court94504,700
FIBA Basketball Court91.8649.214,520
High School Basketball Court84504,200
Tennis Court (Singles)78272,106
Volleyball Court5929.51,740
Badminton Court (Singles)4417748
NBA Half Court47502,350

Size comparison: A regulation NBA court at 4,700 sq ft is more than twice the size of a singles tennis court. That difference directly impacts flooring costs, facility heating and cooling needs, and construction budgets for new gym builds.

Half Court and Backyard Basketball Court Dimensions

This is the section most guides skip — yet it’s what thousands of homeowners, coaches, and recreational players actually need.

Half Court Dimensions for Home and Recreational Use

A regulation NBA half court is 47 feet long × 50 feet wide.

For high school half courts, that drops to 42 feet × 50 feet.

Half Court Dimensions for Home and Recreational Use

Half Court Type Length (ft) Width (ft) Best For
NBA Half Court4750Professional/College practice
High School Half Court4250School gym, community center
Recreational Half Court30–4230–50Backyard, driveway, park
3-on-3 FIBA Court49.2363×3 competition format

Half courts are the most practical choice for residential builds. They cost significantly less to pave, require less space, and still support full shooting, dribbling, 1-on-1, and 2-on-2 play.

Minimum Space Needed for a Backyard Basketball Court

How much space do you actually need?

Minimum Space Needed for a Backyard Basketball Court

Setup Type Minimum Size Recommended Size
Shooting/Driveway Setup15 ft × 15 ft20 ft × 20 ft
1-on-1 Practice Court20 ft × 30 ft25 ft × 35 ft
Half Court (Recreational)30 ft × 30 ft30 ft × 50 ft
Full Backyard Court84 ft × 50 ft90 ft × 56 ft

Always add at least 2–3 feet of clearance on all sides beyond the court lines. This is your safety buffer zone — essential to prevent injuries near fences, walls, or landscaping edges.

Concrete slab thickness for residential courts: minimum 4 inches, 5–6 inches recommended for heavier use.

Question’s

What are the standard dimensions of a basketball court? 

The standard NBA basketball court measures 94 feet long and 50 feet wide (28.65m × 15.24m). These specs have been consistent since professional basketball standardized court sizes in the mid-20th century.

How long is a basketball court in feet? 

An NBA and NCAA court is 94 feet long. A high school court is 84 feet long. A junior high court is typically 74 feet long. FIBA courts measure 91.86 feet — slightly shorter than the NBA.

What is the width of a basketball court? 

The standard width is 50 feet (15.24m) for NBA, NCAA, and high school courts. FIBA courts are 49.21 feet (15m) wide. Junior high courts narrow down to 42 feet.

How big is a half basketball court? 

A regulation NBA half court is 47 feet long × 50 feet wide. A high school half court is 42 feet × 50 feet. For backyard use, 30 ft × 50 ft is the most practical recreational size.

How far is the three-point line from the basket? 

It depends on the level. High school: 19.75 ft. NCAA: 22 ft 1.75 in. FIBA/WNBA: 22.15 ft. NBA: 22 ft (corners) to 23.75 ft at the top of the arc.

What is the height of a basketball hoop? 

The rim is 10 feet (3.05m) from the floor at every official level — from youth leagues to the NBA. This has been the standard since Dr. James Naismith established the game in 1891.

How wide is the key on a basketball court? 

The key is 16 feet wide in the NBA and FIBA. It is 12 feet wide in NCAA and high school play. The depth from baseline to free throw line is 15 feet at all levels.

What is the diameter of a basketball rim? 

The rim has an 18-inch (45.72cm) inside diameter — exactly double the diameter of a regulation basketball. This size is consistent at every level worldwide.

Do basketball court dimensions vary by brand or manufacturer? 

No. Court dimensions follow standardized specs set by NBA, FIBA, and NFHS rulebooks. Surface materials, color schemes, and logo placements vary — but the physical length, width, and marking measurements are consistent across all U.S. courts.

Are basketball court dimensions the same internationally? 

Not exactly. FIBA courts are 28m × 15m — slightly smaller than the NBA’s 28.65m × 15.24m. The three-point arc also differs: FIBA uses 6.75m (22.15 ft) versus the NBA’s maximum of 7.24m (23.75 ft). The rim height of 10 feet (3.05m) is the one measurement that stays the same worldwide.

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