Volleyball Court Dimensions and Net Height: A Complete Guide

An official indoor volleyball court is 18 metres long and 9 metres wide, split by the net into two 9 m × 9 m halves. The net is 2.43 m high for men and 2.24 m for women, and an attack line runs 3 m from the net on each side (FIVB rules).

This guide covers every key measurement, from the court and its zones to the net, antennae and ball, plus how beach volleyball courts differ.

Volleyball court dimensions at a glance

Measurement	Metric	Imperial (approx.)
Court length	18 m	59 ft
Court width	9 m	29 ft 6 in
Each half	9 m × 9 m	29 ft 6 in × 29 ft 6 in
Attack line distance from net	3 m	9 ft 10 in
Line width	5 cm	2 in
Men’s net height	2.43 m	7 ft 11 5/8 in
Women’s net height	2.24 m	7 ft 4 1/8 in

Source: FIVB rules 1 and 2. Imperial figures are conversions.

The court and its lines

The playing court is a rectangle marked by lines that are part of the court: a ball touching a line is in. The key lines are:

• Sidelines and end lines: the boundaries of the 18 m × 9 m court.
• Centre line: runs under the net and divides the court into two halves.
• Attack lines: 3 m from the centre line on each side, marking the front zone where back-row players cannot attack a ball above the net.

All lines are 5 cm wide and must be a light colour that contrasts with the floor (FIVB rule 1.3).

Zones on a volleyball court

Zone	Where it is	Why it matters
Front zone	Between the centre line and the attack line	Back-row attack and libero setting restrictions apply here
Back zone	Behind the attack line	Back-row players may attack from here
Service zone	Behind the end line, across the court’s width	Where every serve is taken
Free zone	The area surrounding the court	Players may play the ball here

The free zone must be at least 3 m wide on all sides, and larger in FIVB world and official competitions (FIVB rule 1.1). The space above the court must also be clear to a minimum height, so the ball can be played high without hitting a ceiling.

Volleyball net height

Men (senior)	2.43 m
Women (senior)	2.24 m

The height is measured at the centre of the court and must be the same at both sidelines, within a small tolerance (FIVB rule 2.1). Youth and school competitions often use lower nets; check your league or school’s rules.

The same senior heights are used in beach volleyball. For the men’s and women’s game side by side, see [LINK: Spikers’ Turf Guide].

The net, antennae and posts

• The net is about 1 m deep and stretches 9.5 to 10 m wide, with a white band along the top.
• Side bands are white strips placed over each sideline, marking the edges of the crossing space.
• Antennae are flexible rods fixed to the outer edge of each side band. They stick up above the net, and the ball must cross between them. A ball that touches an antenna is out.
• Posts hold the net and stand outside the sidelines, so they are not part of the playing area.

Source: FIVB rule 2.

Ball size and weight

Item	Rule
Circumference	65 to 67 cm
Weight	260 to 280 g
Surface	Flexible leather or synthetic leather

Source: FIVB rule 3.

Beach volleyball court vs indoor court

	Indoor	Beach
Court size	18 m × 9 m	16 m × 8 m
Surface	Wood or synthetic	Sand at least 40 cm deep
Attack line	Yes, 3 m from net	No
Net height	2.43 m men, 2.24 m women	Same

Sources: FIVB, Hong Kong EDB. See [LINK: Beach Volleyball Rules].

Why court dimensions matter in the rules

Many rules depend on these measurements:

• The attack line decides when a back-row player can attack above the net.
• The centre line decides when a player has crossed into the opponent’s court.
• The antennae decide whether a ball crossed the net legally.
• The end line decides where a server must stand.

For those rules in full, see [LINK: Volleyball Rules].

Court sizes for different levels of play

Not every game uses the full official court. Here is how sizes usually vary:

• Official senior competition, including the PVL and Spikers’ Turf: the full 18 m × 9 m court, with standard net heights.
• Schools and youth leagues: often the full court, but lower nets for younger age groups, set by the organiser.
• Recreational and barangay games: whatever fits the space, usually close to official size, with the net height agreed before play.
• Beach volleyball: a smaller 16 m × 8 m sand court.

If you are planning a venue, check the specific rules of the league or event, since official competitions also set requirements for lighting, ceiling height and the free zone.

Setting up a court for casual play

If you are marking a court at a school, barangay gym or open space:

1. Measure an 18 m × 9 m rectangle if space allows; smaller courts are fine for casual games.
2. Mark the centre line, then the attack lines 3 m on each side of it.
3. Set the net height to 2.43 m or 2.24 m at the centre, or lower for young players.
4. Leave space around the court so players can chase the ball safely.

Frequently asked questions

How big is a volleyball court?

An official indoor court is 18 m long and 9 m wide, or about 59 ft by 29.5 ft.

How high is a volleyball net for women?

2.24 m (about 7 ft 4 in) in senior competition.

How high is a volleyball net for men?

2.43 m (about 7 ft 11.6 in) in senior competition.

How far is the attack line from the net?

3 m (about 9 ft 10 in) from the centre line on each side.

Is a beach volleyball court smaller?

Yes. A beach court is 16 m × 8 m, compared with 18 m × 9 m indoors.

Is a ball on the line in or out?

In. The lines are part of the court, so a ball that touches any part of a line is in.

Can you step on the centre line?

Yes, as long as part of your foot stays on or above the centre line. A whole foot over the line into the opponent’s court is a fault.

What are the antennae on a volleyball net for?

They mark the sides of the space the ball must pass through. A ball that touches an antenna, or crosses outside it, is out.

Keep learning

See how the court is used in [LINK: Volleyball Rules] and [LINK: Volleyball Rotation Explained], then watch the PVL on ArenaPlus Insider. If you also follow the betting side, Handicap and Over/Under Betting Explained explains how volleyball lines work, and Insider covers other sports in ArenaPlus Basketball and Football Betting on ArenaPlus: A Beginner’s Guide.

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