What's The Volleyball Court Size? Volleyball Basics For Beginners

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What's The Volleyball Court Size? Volleyball Basics For Beginners 

The volleyball court size changes with varying disciplines of the sport. This basic volleyball info describes the official size and height for each discipline. 



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The official indoor volleyball court size in American measuring units is 29'6" by 29 feet and six inches for the half court area.  

The full volleyball court area is 59 feet x 29' 6". 

If you were using the metric system then the half court area is 9 meters by 9 meters while the entire court is 18 meters long by 9 meters wide.  


Volleyball Court Size: Diagram by LogeVolleyball Court Diagram by Loge


Many people like to round these numbers up to 30 feet by 60 feet but the accurate measurements are the ones I stated and are indicated in the diagram above. 

The above measurements are the same for both the men's and women's volleyball court size. 

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If you were to play on a girl's court and then go play on a guy's court, although the net is higher on the guy's court, the volleyball court size, which means the length and width of the court, would be the same. 

Once you know the dimensions of the court you should learn of some of the other interesting characteristics concerning the volleyball court size which is defined by the court  lines and are usually painted  in contrasting colors on the competition floor. 






How To Measure Volleyball Court Size


The lines that border the court edges which serve to define the court size are two inches wide. 

To accurately measure the boundary lines you start measuring from inside of the court lines. 




You'd take your tape measure or ruler and place it on the part of the line closest to the court playing area to measure two inches wide for an accurate reading.

Remember two inches is equal to five centimeters. 



The Lines That Define Court Size


The volleyball court size is defined by four boundary lines, the two longest ones are called "sidelines."

These run lengthwise or along the long side of the court and they are both perpendicular to the net. 

Volleyball court sidelines should be two inches wide and are highlighted in the diagram below by the red parallel lines running along the longer sides of the rectangle.


Volleyball Court Size: Indoor Volleyball Court Sidelines Diagram by Chiba RyoIndoor Volleyball Court Sidelines Diagram by Chiba Ryo


The other two lines on the opposite ends are end lines.

The ten foot lines on each court half, separate the front court from the back court. 

Court end lines are two inches wide and are highlighted in the diagram below by the red parallel lines on the shorter sides of the rectangle.


Volleyball Court Size: Volleyball Court Endlines Diagram by Chiba RyoVolleyball Court Endlines Diagram by Chiba Ryo


The area surrounding the outside of the court is called the free zone. It has a minimum width of six feet six inches or two meters. 

This is the area located between the court and the team bench, and surrounds the entire court area where players safely enter to play a ball back into the court without interference.

The center line which runs underneath the net is another boundary line which separates the two half courts from each other. 


Volleyball Court Size: Volleyball Court Centerline In Red Runs Parallel To And Underneath The Net Diagram by Chiba RyoVolleyball Court Centerline In Red Runs Parallel To And Underneath The Net Diagram by Chiba Ryo


Outdoor Court Size


For years in outdoor competition on the sand, the beach volleyball court size was the same as the indoor court which was 30 feet by 60 feet. 

In 2001, in a controversial move the FIVB voted to minimize the volleyball court size for outdoor doubles sand competition to a much shorter size of 8 meters by 16 meters for men and women.  

A year later, the AVP, the Association of Volleyball Professionals did the same thing. 

The rationale behind the move was to make the beach game more interesting, faster and competitive for television audiences.



For the same reasons the libero volleyball position was introduced in indoor volleyball, the outdoor volleyball court was made smaller because television audiences around the world had proven to be more attracted to the defensive game and not just the power game that was a trademark of the men's way of playing.

As far as sand depth is concerned, the sand in the court has to be 12 inches deep. 


The Sitting Volleyball Court Size


In sitting volleyball, the official court size is 10 meters by 6 meters. 


The Nine Man Volleyball Court Size 


The court size for the nine man game is 33 feet long and 33 feet wide. The net is taller at 7 feet and 8.5 inches high. 


Outdoor Volleyball Court at dawnOutdoor Volleyball Court at dawn


You should become familiar with the court and all of its components for example, the antennas, the front court, back court, official court size, the net, court lines and you should know the correct net height.


Volleyball Court Size: College of Charleston TD Arena Home Court photo by SC PetrelCollege of Charleston TD Arena Home Court photo by SC Petrel

The Official Court Size - Quick Review




The court size from one end to the other is basically 60 feet by 30 feet, give or take a few inches.

I think, specifically its 59 feet and a few inches by 29 feet and a few inches, but you can check out this volleyball court diagram.

There's a centerline that measures two inches wide and goes from sideline to sideline which divides the two playing courts into two 29 foot 6 inch halves where the teams play, one on one side and the opposing team on the other.

This centerline is a contrasting color so that it's plainly visible to players and referees most importantly as it stretches underneath the net.


Volleyball court photograph at night photo by Ken MattisonVolleyball court photograph at night photo by Ken Mattison

Frequently Asked Volleyball Questions

1. What is the standard volleyball court size?

  • The standard indoor volleyball court size is 29'6" by 59 feet, with a net height of 7 feet 11 5/8 inches (for men) or 7 feet 4 1/8 inches (for women). Outdoor court sizes can vary but are generally the same as indoor courts.


2. How do I measure a volleyball court?

  • To measure a volleyball court, start by measuring the length and width of the court according to the official dimensions. The boundary lines should be two inches wide and should be measured from the inside of the court lines.


3. Can the volleyball court size vary for different levels of play?

  • Yes, the volleyball court size can vary for different levels of play. For example, youth and recreational leagues may use smaller court sizes while professional and international competitions adhere to the standard court size.


4. Are there any specific lines on a volleyball court?

  • Yes, a volleyball court has several lines that define specific areas. The sideline lines run along the long sides of the court, while the end lines run parallel to the net on the shorter sides. The centerline divides the court into two equal halves.


5. Can the court size for beach volleyball be different?

  • Yes, the beach volleyball court size can be different. The standard size for beach doubles competition is 16 meters by 8 meters (52.5 feet by 26.25 feet). This smaller court size allows for a faster and more dynamic game.


6. Is there a specific court size for sitting volleyball?

  • Yes, the official court size for sitting volleyball is 10 meters by 6 meters (32.8 feet by 19.7 feet). This modified court size accommodates players who are sitting during the game.


7. What are the dimensions of the net in volleyball?

  • The standard net height for men's volleyball is 7 feet 11 5/8 inches, and for women's volleyball, it is 7 feet 4 1/8 inches. The net should be 39 inches wide and positioned vertically in the center of the court.


8. Can the court size affect the game strategy?

  • Yes, the court size can influence the game strategy. A smaller court size may require more precise ball placement and quicker reactions, while a larger court may allow for more defensive coverage and longer rallies.


9. Are there any regulations regarding the free zone around the court?

  • Yes, the free zone surrounding the outside of the court must have a minimum width of six feet six inches or two meters. This space provides players with a safe area to enter and exit the court without interfering with the game.


10. Are there any specific rules or court dimensions for nine-man volleyball?

  • Yes, nine-man volleyball has its own court size and rules. The court size for nine-man volleyball is 33 feet long and 33 feet wide, with a taller net height of 7 feet 8.5 inches. The game is played with nine players on each team, allowing for larger teams and unique strategies.



Volleyball Court Size:
Where Do You Go From Here?

Good times! Where do you need to go now? Here are three options: 

  1. Learn more about the  Court Size. 
  2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
  3. Or visit the pages in the Volleyball Rules section in the drop down menu at the top of the page. 


Learn more from these
volleyball court pages!

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