Section 3: Playing Area
Court Dimensions (Law 1)
The court dimensions are specified in Law 1 of the BWF Laws of Badminton. The court shall be a rectangle marked out with lines 40 mm (1.57 in) wide. Lines shall be easily distinguishable and preferably white or yellow in color. All lines form part of the areas they define.
1.1 Overall Court Size
- Length: 13.4 m (43 ft 11.5 in)
- Width (doubles): 6.1 m (20 ft 0 in)
- Width (singles): 5.18 m (17 ft 0 in) — defined by the inner side lines
1.2 Court Lines
- Back boundary lines: The outermost parallel lines at each end of the court. These serve as the long service lines in singles play.
- Long service line for doubles: Drawn parallel to, and 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) inside, the back boundary line.
- Short service line: Drawn parallel to the net, 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) from the net on each side, extending the full width of the court.
- Center line: Drawn from the short service line on each side to the back boundary line, dividing each half of the court into a right service court and a left service court.
- Side lines (doubles): The outermost lines on either side of the court.
- Side lines (singles): The inner side lines, located 0.46 m (1 ft 6 in) inside the doubles side lines.
1.3 Service Court Dimensions
Each player's service court is defined as follows:
- Right service court: Bounded by the short service line (front), the center line (inner side), the relevant side line (outer side), and for singles the back boundary line, or for doubles the long service line.
- Left service court: Mirror of the right service court on the other side of the center line.
Posts and Net (Laws 1.6–1.10)
Net Posts (Law 1.6)
- Posts shall be 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) in height from the surface of the court and shall remain vertical when the net is strained.
- Posts shall be placed on the doubles side lines, regardless of whether singles or doubles is being played.
Net Specifications (Laws 1.7–1.9)
- The net shall be made of fine natural or artificial cord of dark color and even thickness, with a mesh of not less than 15 mm (0.59 in) and not more than 20 mm (0.79 in).
- The net shall be 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) in depth.
- The top of the net shall be edged with a 75 mm (3 in) white tape doubled over a cord or cable running through the tape.
- The top of the net from the surface of the court shall be 1.524 m (5 ft 0 in) at the center of the court.
- The top of the net at the posts shall be 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) in height.
- There shall be no gap between the ends of the net and the posts. If necessary, the full depth of the net shall be tied at the posts.
Court Surface and Environment
The BWF does not mandate a specific court surface material; however, international and major tournaments are played on wooden (parquet) or synthetic sport surfaces approved by the BWF. The playing area must be free from obstructions. A clear ceiling height of at least 9 m above the playing surface is recommended for international competition, ensuring unobstructed shuttle flight.