The net is one of the essential parts of playing pickleball. But how high is a pickleball net that adheres to standards and ensures that you can play the game properly?
The standard height for a pickleball net is 36 inches at the posts and 34 inches at the middle of the net. In contrast, a tennis net is 42 inches in height at the post and 36 inches in the middle. While the pickleball net has many similarities to other sports nets, it generally tends to be smaller.
Let’s discover the details of a pickleball net’s dimensions, the history behind why the net is 36 inches, and some similarities and differences with tennis nets.
How High is a Pickleball Net?
A pickleball net gets to 34 inches at the center and 36 inches at the poles on either side of the court. This contrasts with a tennis net with a height of 36 inches at the center and 42 inches at the poles. The pickleball is shorted because a pickleball court is three times smaller than a tennis court.
Since there is such a size difference between a tennis court and a pickleball court, a lot of the time, those playing pickleball will have portable nets that they can carry with them. It’s easier to carry around since they’re smaller and usually lighter in weight. The tennis court is generally split in half so they can play two games on one court.
The History of the Pickleball Net Height
The first pickleball net’s history is usually considered a badminton net that was redesigned to fit the game better—as a result, challenging to switch at the indent with something like a badminton or tennis net since the pickleball net has some fundamental characteristics that make it different.
The history of why the pickleball net is so different begins with Joel Pritchard, who is one of the founding members of the original game. He would stand by the net and ensure it came up to his waistline, which was 36 inches.
This unusual way of measuring the net’s height has persisted ever since. While there are no set reasons for this 36-inch to be at the set height, it is a tradition that people continue to adhere to.
Pickleball Net Height Dimensions
All of the rules about the standards of a pickleball court are set by the USA Pickleball Association. These standards contain many specifications, from the dimensions of a Pickleball court, the line and the net, which apply to indoor and outdoor courts.
The pickleball court is 20 ft wide, whether a singles match or a doubles match. It has a 10 ft margin around the court lines and poles that support the net 2 ft from the outer perimeter. This means that the court in total is 22 ft.
The net is 21 ft and 9 inches wide to expand from one pole to the other. It is 30 inches from top to bottom and reaches a maximum height of 36 inches at the poles and 34 inches at the center. There’s also a strap at the center that helps quickly adjust its height to fit regulations.
It’s also vital that the net much like a tennis net, has a 2-inch strip of tape on the top, which covers a metal cord. This helps prevent the net from sagging in the middle, making it difficult to use.
How to Measure a Pickleball Net’s Height the Right Way
Knowing that your pickleball needs to be 34 inches at the center is a good thing to know, but it doesn’t help you much if you don’t know how to measure the Internet site correctly. Here are some quick tips to make the process easier for you.
- Measure your net posts on the inside to ensure you’re buying a net that is the right size for those posts.
- Find out the OD measurement for your court. OD measurements are different from ID measurements which can lead to issues with the net’s height and length if you mix them up.
- Depending on your specific needs, you will need a net between 30 and 36 inches high. Thirty-four inches is ideal, but it may not be possible if you move from one location to another. Permanent nets usually have a weighted strap at the center to secure the net at the correct height.
- Try to get a net that will sit properly at 36 inches at the posts since this will allow you to meet regulations if you want to play competitive matches, and it will ensure ease while playing if you’re used to the regular height. Even a slight change can mess up your playing ability.
- Posts cannot be more than 3 inches in diameter for competition. Changing this diameter can impact how your net sits and adjust the height.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Pickleball Nets
There are many slight variations between indoor and outdoor pickleball nets, so they don’t have anything to do with the general highlight. However, you should keep these characteristics in mind in case you want to add weight to the middle of your net to make it meet height regulations. The different materials and weights can change how the net bend under the weight.
Outdoor nets are heavier as they are made with more rigid plastic and have smaller holes in the mesh. This means that there are more durable and resistant to things like winds and weather. The heavier materials also mean that it bounces less when a pickleball interacts with an that may change how you play.
Indoor nets don’t tend to be as durable since they don’t need to withstand as many different external elements. They also don’t need anything stabilizing them as they don’t need to resist wind. However, you can use an indoor net outside or vice versa with other being and huge repercussions.
Can You Use a Tennis Net for Pickleball?
While it is possible to use a tennis net for pickleball, especially if you’re playing casually, most pickleball players use a portable pickleball net that they can use on a tennis court. These are lightweight and are easy for a single person to carry around. They’re straightforward and quick to set up, so most prefer these nets instead of a tennis net which is taller and broader.
Pickleball Net vs. Tennis Net
If you decide to use a tennis net for pickleball or vice versa, here are some similarities and differences between the two nets so that you can compensate for some of the differences and take advantage of some of those similarities.
Similarities:
- Both types of nets have a metal cable running through the top with a 2-inch band of tape.
- Both need mesh small enough to stop the balls from going through.
- You need to strap down the center to keep the regulation height.
- Both nets have supporting posts outside the perimeter of the court.
- Both have 3-inch second supporting posts.
Differences:
- Pickleball nets are shorter than tennis nets, and tennis nets are wider than pickleball nets.
- Tennis nets have more prominent supporting posts and has more supporting posts.
- Pickleballs are bigger than tennis balls, so the mesh in tennis nets needs a tighter weave.
- Tennis balls are heavier than pickleballs, so tennis nets need to be sturdier.
Where Can You Get a Pickleball Net?
Now that you know a pickleball net is distinctive from other nets, you need to figure out where you’ll buy one. Most sporting goods stores have them available, or you can find them through online stores such as Amazon or the website of sports shops. Keep in mind that outdoor nets are slightly different from indoor ones.
Be sure to evaluate what kind of net you need, such as if you need something portable or something more permanent for an outdoor court. They don’t tend to be very expensive, so owning your pickleball net, where you can play at any location, is handy if you play often. They’re usually very easy to take with you.
What are Alternatives for a Pickleball Net that are the Same Height?
If you’re not playing a professional game of pickleball, you can use whatever you want as a net. You’re into the height regulations if you have a tennis net set up and can use it for a friendly game of pickleball without worrying about that.
Since you can’t easily exchange a tennis or badminton net for a pickleball net, it may be worth knowing some alternatives for you to check out if you want to have the regulated height for a pickleball net without getting it in that you can only use for pickup.
If you want to make adjustments to a tennis net to make it adhere to the regulations of a pickleball net, then the best way is to have an adjuster handy. You need to dig holes at three points in the ground and then push the ropes with a hook from the top of the net down until it reaches the correct height.
Why Does the Pickleball Net’s Height Matter?
How much the height of your pickleball net matters to you will depend greatly on whether or not you want to be competitive in pickleball or are just playing a friendly game.
If you’re just casually playing, it doesn’t matter, except that a slight change may impact your playing ability if you’re used to the regulated height. Playing a sport at a high level has a lot to do with muscle memory from hours of practice, so if you practice on a 34-inch net and suddenly it is slightly lower or higher, you may find yourself running into some issues.
Height is critical if you are playing in a competitive setting or want to take the net to the competition. Not meeting the height regulation means that you could be disqualified from being able to play or find that the competition is certainly not short because yours does not meet requirements.
Summary
How high is a pickleball net? It has to be 34 inches at the center and 36 inches at the poles on either side of the court. One of the founding members said it had to be up to his waist, which was the 34 inches it is today. As a result, you cannot use standard tennis or badminton net stand-ins.
It’s straightforward to find a pickleball net that we see standards, and usually, they are lightweight and portable, so you can take them wherever you are playing. It’s good to get something specifically a pickleball net since it can be the difference between whether or not you’re allowed to compete and can throw off your game if the height is slightly off.
FAQ
Is pickelball net same height as tennis net?
Pickleball nets and tennis nets are not the same height. The pickleball net is 34 inches, whereas tennis nets are 3 ft at the center.
Can tennis net be used for pickelball?
While you may find someone using a tennis court for pickleball, you are unlikely to find someone using the net itself but will instead use a portable net as a replacement for the tennis net.
Why is the height of a pickleball net 36 inches?
The height of a pickleball net is 36 inches because it will sag slightly in the middle, and you want the center height to be 34 inches.
What is the difference between a tennis net and a pickelball net?
One of the key differences between a pickleball net and a tennis net is that the pickleball net is shorter by a boat 2 inches in the middle. Tennis nets are also wider at 42 feet compared to the 21 feet of the pickleball net.
Why is it called a kitchen in pickleball?
The “kitchen” in pickleball refers to the non-volley zone on either side of the net. It maybe a little confusing to those who don’t play the game, but it is a common term used while playing.
