Getting your court dimensions right matters more than most people think. Too small and the game feels cramped. Too big and rallies die. Lines in the wrong spot and every close call becomes an argument.
Whether you’re setting up for a tournament, marking lines at the beach, or building a court in your backyard, here are the exact measurements you need.
Official FIVB Court Dimensions
The Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) sets the global standard for beach volleyball courts.
Playing Area
- Length: 16 meters (52 feet 6 inches)
- Width: 8 meters (26 feet 3 inches)
- Total area: 128 square meters (1,378 square feet)
The court is a rectangle divided equally by the net into two 8m x 8m squares. There is no attack line in beach volleyball — players can hit from anywhere on their side.
Free Zone
The free zone is the space surrounding the playing court where players can still play the ball.
- Minimum free zone: 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches) on all sides
- Recommended free zone: 5-6 meters (16-20 feet) for competitive play
- FIVB World Tour/Olympics: 5 meters minimum on all sides, 7 meters at the ends
This means the total space needed for a regulation court with minimum free zone is:
- With 3m free zone: 22m x 14m (72’ x 46’)
- With 5m free zone: 26m x 18m (85’ x 59’)
The free zone isn’t just a buffer. Players regularly chase balls into it, and having enough space prevents injuries from running into walls, fences, or spectators.
Net Specifications
Net Height
- Men: 2.43 meters (7 feet 11⅝ inches)
- Women: 2.24 meters (7 feet 4⅛ inches)
Height is measured at the center of the court. The net height at the sidelines (over the posts) should not exceed the center height by more than 2 cm.
For reference, here are common heights for other age groups:
| Category | Net Height |
|---|---|
| Men (16+) | 2.43m (7’11⅝”) |
| Women (16+) | 2.24m (7’4⅛”) |
| Boys (14-15) | 2.24m (7’4⅛”) |
| Girls (14-15) | 2.13m (7’0”) |
| Youth (12-13) | 2.13m (7’0”) |
| Youth (10-11) | 2.00m (6’6¾”) |
Net Dimensions
- Net width (top to bottom): 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches)
- Net length: 8.5 meters (27 feet 10 inches)
- Mesh size: 10cm x 10cm (4” x 4”) squares
- Top band: 7-10cm wide, folded over a cable or rope
- Bottom band: Similar width with a rope threaded through
Antenna Placement
Two flexible antennas extend 80cm (31.5 inches) above the net, placed directly above the sideline on each side. The antennas mark the legal crossing space. The ball must cross the net between the antennas — any ball passing outside or touching an antenna is out.
Antennas are red and white striped, each stripe 10cm wide.
Post Placement
Net posts should be:
- Distance from sidelines: 0.7-1 meter (2’4” – 3’3”) outside each sideline
- Height: High enough to support the net at the proper height with tensioning hardware
- Padding: Posts should be padded for safety in competitive play
Court Markings
Beach volleyball courts use flat boundary lines, not painted lines.
Line Specifications
- Material: Flat webbing, resistant to abrasion and UV damage
- Width: 5cm (2 inches) — narrower than indoor lines
- Color: Contrasting to the sand, typically blue or yellow
- Attachment: Anchored at all corners with sand anchors buried beneath the surface
What’s Marked
- Boundary lines: The four outer lines defining the 16m x 8m rectangle
- Center line: There is NO center line in beach volleyball. The net defines the center.
- Attack line: There is NO attack line. Players may attack from anywhere.
That’s it. Just the outer boundary. Beach volleyball keeps it simple.
In or Out?
A ball is “in” if any part of it contacts the boundary line. The line is part of the court. The ball does not need to land fully inside — any contact with the line counts as in.
How to Measure and Mark a Court
Here’s how to set up a regulation court step by step.
What You Need
- Measuring tape (at least 20m / 65 ft)
- 4 corner stakes or anchors
- Boundary line set (4 pieces with corner connectors)
- Net system with poles
- A partner (measuring alone is painful)
Step-by-Step Setup
1. Establish the baseline.
Drive a stake into the sand at what will be one corner of the court. From that stake, measure 8 meters along what will be the end line. Drive a second stake. This is one short side of your court.
2. Square the corners.
To make sure your court is rectangular (not a parallelogram), use the 3-4-5 method:
- From corner 1, measure 3 meters along the end line and mark it
- From corner 1, measure 4 meters along the sideline direction and mark it
- The diagonal between those two marks should be exactly 5 meters
- Adjust until it is
3. Complete the rectangle.
From each end line stake, measure 16 meters perpendicular to the end line. Drive stakes at the far corners. Double-check your rectangle by measuring the diagonals — both should be 17.89 meters (the diagonal of a 16 x 8 rectangle). If they match, your court is square.
4. Attach boundary lines.
Connect your flat webbing lines between the four corner stakes. Most boundary line sets have clips or loops at the corners that attach to the stakes. Bury the stakes so the lines sit flat on the sand surface.
5. Set up the net.
Position your net posts 0.7-1m outside the sidelines, centered on the 16m length (8m from each end line). Set net height to the appropriate measurement. Attach antennas directly above each sideline.
6. Verify measurements.
Walk the court and check:
- Both sidelines are 16m
- Both end lines are 8m
- Net is centered and at correct height
- Lines are flat and taut
- Free zone is clear of obstacles
Reduced-Size Options for Backyards
Don’t have room for a full 16 x 8m court? Here are smaller alternatives that still play well:
| Size | Dimensions | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Full regulation | 16m x 8m (52.5’ x 26.25’) | Competition, serious play |
| Standard recreational | 15m x 7.5m (49’ x 24.5’) | Regular recreational play |
| Small backyard | 12m x 6m (39’ x 20’) | Casual 2v2, limited space |
| Mini court | 9m x 4.5m (30’ x 15’) | Youth play, training drills |
Even a reduced-size court should maintain the 2:1 length-to-width ratio. This keeps the proportions feeling right and game strategy similar to a full court.
For smaller courts, consider lowering the net slightly. A full-height net on a short court makes it very difficult to hit angles, and the game becomes all about hitting over the block rather than placing shots.
Surface Requirements
The playing surface and free zone should be:
- Level: No slopes, bumps, or depressions
- Deep sand: Minimum 30cm (12 inches), ideally 40cm (16 inches) for competition
- Free of debris: Rocks, shells, glass, or anything that could cause injury
- Consistent texture: Same sand type throughout, no patches of hard or wet sand
If you’re setting up on a natural beach, rake the court area thoroughly before play. Check for debris after storms or high tides. Dig a few test holes to check sand depth in different areas.
For a backyard build, see our complete construction guide for sand type recommendations and drainage setup.
Comparison to Other Volleyball Court Sizes
| Variant | Dimensions | Net Height (Men’s) |
|---|---|---|
| Beach volleyball | 16m x 8m | 2.43m |
| Indoor volleyball | 18m x 9m | 2.43m |
| Water volleyball | Varies (pool-dependent) | Varies |
| Sitting volleyball | 10m x 6m | 1.15m |
| Snow volleyball | 16m x 8m | 2.43m |
Beach and indoor share the same net height but different court sizes. The smaller beach court compensates for having only 2 players per side. For more on how the games differ, check our beach vs. indoor comparison.
A good portable net system makes setup and teardown much easier, especially if you’re marking a temporary court. And if you’re new to the sport, start with the rules for beginners so you know how to use your new court.
FAQ
What are the official beach volleyball court dimensions?
The official FIVB beach volleyball court is 16 meters long by 8 meters wide (52.5 feet by 26.25 feet). The free zone surrounding the court must be at least 3 meters on all sides, with 5 meters or more recommended for competition. The total space needed with minimum free zone is approximately 72 feet by 46 feet.
How high is a beach volleyball net?
The official net height is 2.43 meters (7 feet 11⅝ inches) for men and 2.24 meters (7 feet 4⅛ inches) for women. These measurements are taken at the center of the net. The height at the sidelines should not exceed the center height by more than 2 centimeters.
Is a beach volleyball court the same size as an indoor court?
No. A beach volleyball court is smaller: 16m x 8m versus 18m x 9m for indoor. This is because beach volleyball is played 2v2 instead of 6v6. The smaller court keeps rallies competitive with fewer players. Net height is the same for both at the men’s and women’s levels.
What kind of sand do you need for a beach volleyball court?
Use washed masonry sand or washed plaster sand with consistent grain size. The sand should be at least 30cm (12 inches) deep, with 40cm (16 inches) preferred for competition. Avoid play sand (too fine and compacts) or unwashed sand (dusty). The sand should drain well and not compact into a hard surface.
Can you make a beach volleyball court smaller for a backyard?
Yes. Common reduced sizes include 12m x 6m (39’ x 20’) for casual play and 9m x 4.5m (30’ x 15’) for youth or training. Maintain the 2:1 length-to-width ratio. Consider lowering the net slightly on smaller courts to keep hitting angles realistic. Even a small court is better than no court.