Section 3: Playing Area
The Court
The NBA playing court is a rectangular, flat, hard surface with the following dimensions:
- Length: 94 feet (28.65 m)
- Width: 50 feet (15.24 m)
- Surface: Hardwood (typically maple), sanded and finished to provide consistent ball bounce and player traction. All NBA courts are indoor facilities with climate-controlled environments.
Court Markings
All court boundary lines and markings are 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide and painted in a contrasting color to the floor surface. Key markings include:
- Sidelines: The two longer boundary lines running the length of the court (94 feet)
- Baselines (end lines): The two shorter boundary lines running the width of the court (50 feet), located behind each basket
- Half-court line: A line dividing the court into two equal halves at the 47-foot mark, extending the full width of the court
- Center circle: A circle with a radius of 6 feet (1.83 m) at the center of the court, used for the opening tip-off
The Key (Painted Area / Lane)
The key, also known as the paint, free throw lane, or restricted area, is the rectangular region beneath each basket:
- Width: 16 feet (4.88 m) — the NBA widened the lane from 12 feet to 16 feet in 1951 to reduce dominant post play
- Length: 19 feet (5.79 m) from the baseline to the free throw line
- Free throw line: 15 feet (4.57 m) from the face of the backboard and 19 feet from the baseline
- Free throw circle: A circle with a radius of 6 feet (1.83 m) centered on the free throw line
- Lane space marks: Marked along each side of the lane to position players during free throw attempts. The first mark is 7 feet from the baseline, and subsequent marks are 12 inches apart. Two offensive players and three defensive players occupy these spaces (excluding the shooter).
Three-Point Line
The NBA three-point line is an arc surrounding each basket:
- Arc distance: 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the center of the basket at the apex
- Corner distance: 22 feet (6.71 m) from the center of the basket in the corners, where the arc meets the sideline. The line runs parallel to the sideline for a short distance at each corner.
- History: The NBA adopted the three-point line for the 1979-1980 season. It was briefly shortened to a uniform 22 feet from 1994 to 1997 before being restored to its current dimensions.
Restricted Area Arc
- Location: A semicircular arc painted on the floor directly beneath the basket with a radius of 4 feet (1.22 m) from the center of the basket
- Purpose: A defensive player standing within the restricted area arc cannot draw an offensive charging foul, except in specific circumstances (e.g., a secondary defender moving laterally to establish legal guarding position before the offensive player gathers the ball)
Team Bench Areas
Each team's bench area is located on the same side of the court as the scorer's table. The first seat must be a minimum of 28 feet from the nearest baseline. Only players listed on the active roster, coaches, trainers, and authorized team personnel may occupy the bench area during the game.