How Big Is That Basketball Court, Really?
Whether you’re playing in the NBA or just shooting some hoops in your driveway, it’s important to know the dimensions of a basketball court. So how long is a basketball court?
The answer may surprise you. While the dimensions of a basketball court vary slightly depending on the level of play, the standard size of a regulation court is 94 feet long by 50 feet wide. That’s a lot of space to fill with dribbling, shooting, and rebounding!
But even if you don’t have an NBA-size court available, don’t worry. There are plenty of other options for playing basketball. For instance, many high school courts are only 84 feet long by 50 feet wide. And international courts can be even smaller, with some as short as 74 feet long.
No matter what size court you’re playing on, remember to have fun and stay safe!
Basketball Court Dimensions
The dimensions of a basketball court have been standardized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) since 1959. The court is 28 meters (92 feet) long and 15 meters (49 feet) wide. The hoop is 3.05 meters (10 feet) high and the free-throw line is 6.75 meters (22 feet 1 inch) from the hoop.
The dimensions of a basketball court vary slightly depending on the level of play. For example, the NBA court is slightly larger than an international court, measuring 94 feet long by 50 feet wide. A high school court measures 84 feet long by 50 feet wide.
The center of the court is marked with a circle that has a diameter of 6 feet. The free-throw line is 15 feet from the backboard and 4 feet from each side line. The three-point line varies in distance from the hoop, depending on the level of play. For example, in high school basketball, the three-point line is 19 feet 9 inches from the hoop, while in college it is 20 feet 9 inches away. In the NBA, the three-point line is 22 feet from the hoop in the corners and 23 feet 9 inches in the rest of the court.
International Basketball
A regulation basketball court in international games is 28.65 metres (94.0 ft) in length, and 15.24 metres (50.0 ft) wide. Most courts in the United States — both at the college and professional ( NBA and WNBA levels) are slightly narrower, measuring 94 feet (28.7 m) long by 50 feet (15.2 m). In high school, the court is usually slightly smaller, measuring 84 feet (25.6 m) long by 50 feet (15 m) wide..
NBA Court
The NBA court dimensions are 94 feet by 50 feet. The center of the court, where the logo is, is half the width of the court. From the endline to the free throw line is 19 feet. From sideline to sideline, it’s 50 feet. And from the baseline to the free throw line is also 19 feet. The three point line is 23 feet 9 inches from the sideline in a straight line. But, it’s not straight. It has a small bit of a curve to it.
Center of the Court
The center of the court is the imaginary half-wayline that divides the court into two equal halves. It is also sometimes referred to as the “mid-court line”. This line has significant importance in the game of basketball, as it defines which team is on offense and which team is on defense. The team that is on offense is the team that has control of the ball, while the team on defense is trying to stop them from scoring.
NBA Court Dimensions
The NBA court dimensions are 94 feet long by 50 feet wide. The playing surface is made of hardwood and is referred to as the “court.” The basketball court lines are an important part of the game. They delineate the playing area, and if a player steps on or over one of these lines, he or she will be called for a violation.
The free throw line is located 15 feet from the backboard. This is where a player stands when shooting a free throw. The foul line is located 19 feet, 9 inches from the backboard. This is where a player stands when shooting a foul shot. The three-point line is located 22 feet in the corners and 23 feet, 9 inches at the top of the key. This is where a player must be standing to shoot a three-point shot.
There are also lines that designate areas on the court that are used for specific plays or situations. The baseline runs along each end of the court and extends 4 feet past either sideline. The center circle is located at center court and has a radius of 6 feet. This circle is used for jump balls to start each half and after every made basket during play.
High School Basketball Court Dimensions
The standard dimensions of a basketball court in high school is 84 feet long and 50 feet wide. The free-throw line is 15 feet from the backboard, and the basket is 10 feet off the ground.
Half Court Dimensions
The half court dimensions in basketball are typically 19 feet wide and 50 feet long. This is the size of a regulation NBA or college basketball court. The three-point line is 22 feet away from the basket at the top of the key and 23 feet, 9 inches away from the basket in the corners. There is also a free throw line that is 15 feet away from the basket. The half court dimensions can vary slightly depending on the age and level of play. For example, NBA courts are a little bit wider than college courts.
Backboard Dimensions
A regulation backboard is 6 feet (1.83 m) wide by 3.5 feet (1.07 m) tall. All backboards are rectangular in shape with rounded corners and a smooth, flat surface. A backboard’s main purpose is to provide a rebound for the ball after it hits the rim of the basket, so that play can continue quickly without having to chase down the ball.
The backboard material can vary depending on the level of play; for example, in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), boards are made of tempered glass, whereas in high school and collegiate play, they are usually constructed of Plexiglas or another type of shatter-resistant polycarbonate.
Backboards were introduced to the sport of basketball in 1893 when Massachusetts Gymnastics Club member James Naismith nailed a peach basket to a 10-foot (3 m) track in a YMCA gymnasium in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Hoop Dimensions
A regulation basketball hoop consists of a circular metal rim 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter with an attached net affixed to the backboard. A regulation backboard is 6 feet (1.8 m) wide by 3.5 feet (1.1 m) tall. The top of the rim is 10 feet (3.0 m) above the ground, and the bottom of the net is as well.
Court Lines
The playing court shall be a rectangle. It shall be marked with lines not more than 12 inches (30 cm) wide, of a color that will contrast with the color of the playing surface. The following lines shall be part of the court:
· The boundary lines: these lines establish the playing area.
· The end line: this line to indicates the boundary of the playing area at each end of the court.
· The sideline: this line indicates the boundary of the playing area at each side of the court.
· The centerline: this line divides the court in half, lengthwise. It shall be marked with a variety of Means including, but not limited to, dots, hashtags, or other logos placed at intervals not exceeding 3 feet (91 cm). This line shall be considered part of the free-throw lane.
· The free-throw line: this line is 15 feet (4.6 m) from and perpendicular to the nearer end line. An arc radius of 6 feet (1.8 m) from center shall also be drawn around but not touch either endpoint of this line and extend into the playing area a distance equal to that from the free-throw line extended into the key area. This arc is considered part of both lane spaces and no player may have any portion their person or personal items touch this arc while shots are being attempted during live play.
