Tennis court guide

Can you play pickleball on a tennis court?

Yes. A pickleball court is much smaller than a tennis court, so a single tennis court fits two pickleball courts within the painted lines, or up to four using the full facility with run-off space. All you need is a portable net (or a lowered tennis net) and some temporary lines.

What you need

Portable pickleball net. Pickleball nets sit at 34 inches in the center versus 36 for tennis, so a portable net is the clean solution.
Temporary lines. Two-inch painter's tape, chalk, or rubber line markers all work; avoid anything that leaves residue.
Paddles and balls. Outdoor pickleballs handle hard courts and wind better.
Permission. Some facilities prohibit taping lines, so check posted rules first.

How to set up pickleball on a tennis court

For a single pickleball court, center it on the tennis court with the pickleball net where the tennis net stands. Mark the 44 ft × 20 ft outline, the non-volley zone (the 'kitchen') 7 ft on each side of the net, and a centerline splitting each service area. Using the tennis net instead of a portable one? Tighten the center strap to pull the middle of the net down from 36 inches toward 34. It will sit slightly high, but it's playable.

Pickleball court: 44 ft × 20 ft
Tennis court: 78 ft × 36 ft (doubles)
Pickleball net height: 34 in center, 36 in posts
Tennis net height: 36 in center, 42 in posts
Courts per tennis court: Up to 4 (2 is comfortable)

Will it damage the court or annoy people?

Pickleball doesn't damage hard courts; paddles and plastic balls are gentler than tennis gear. The friction is social. At busy public courts, taping lines during peak tennis hours is a fast way to make enemies. Use off-peak times, remove your tape when done, and yield if players with reservations show up. A growing number of facilities now paint permanent pickleball lines; use Doyouplay to check whether a dual-lined court exists near you before bringing tape.

The short version

One tennis court equals up to four pickleball courts, a portable net, and some tape. Just mind the facility rules and the people waiting. And if you came here as a tennis player worried about the pickleball takeover, the best defense is keeping courts busy with actual tennis.

Want the full picture? See pickleball vs tennis: every difference that matters and pickleball court vs tennis court dimensions, or find a court near you to play either game.