I watched four women stand at the fence not long ago, paddles in hand, waiting on a game that showed no sign of ending. One of them sighed, “Guess we’ll try again Thursday.” I pointed at the empty tennis court beside us and told them to give me five minutes. They were rallying before they finished doubting me.
If you’ve ever pulled up to full courts — or there just aren’t enough pickleball courts in your area to go around — there’s a good chance you’re standing right next to the solution. Playing pickleball on a tennis court is easier than it looks, and turning one into the other takes only a couple of small adjustments.
The numbers (closer than you’d guess)
| Tennis | Pickleball | What it means for you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | ~Same | ~Same | Barely touch it |
| Net height (center) | 36 in | 34 in | Only 2 in higher |
| Width | 7 ft wider overall | Narrower | The one real adjustment |
That’s the whole gap. The length is nearly identical, the net is only 2 inches off, and the width is the only thing you really have to mark. That’s what makes playing pickleball on a tennis court so doable — once you see it, you stop waiting for a dedicated court.
Setting up to play pickleball on a tennis court
You don’t need anything fancy to mark your lines — water bottles, a can of tennis balls, a cone, even a towel will do. (If you play on tennis courts often, Franklin’s court marker kit runs about 20 dollars and comes with everything, including a tape measure.)
Three quick reference points get you a court:
- The kitchen sits 7 feet from the net. I just walk it off — seven heel-to-toe steps in my size 12s lands me right about there.
- Your sidelines go about 3½ feet in from each tennis singles line (a pickleball court is 20 feet wide, versus 27 between the tennis singles lines).
- Your baseline is easy — the tennis service line is close enough to use as-is, since it’s only a foot short of a true pickleball baseline.
Drop your markers on the corners and you’re ready. If you want to play your best once you’re out there, I’ve put together a free must-have shots guide over at betterpickleball.com.
A quick word about the net
You’ve got two choices. Leave it at 36 inches, or slide the net strap to the side to lower it in the center.
My honest preference? Leave it a touch high. The one opponent you can never beat in pickleball is the net, and practicing a little higher means those 2 lower inches feel like a gift the next time you’re on a regulation court. If you do lower it, slide the strap back when you’re done — and never change the actual tension on the strap. That takes real effort to reset and it isn’t fair to the tennis players coming after you.
Be a good guest
This part matters as much as the lines. Don’t use chalk or tape — both can damage the surface and change how the court looks for tennis players. And call your lines generously: in pickleball you only call a ball out when it’s clearly out, and the call has to benefit your opponent. We’re all just here to play.
In some areas there’s tension between the tennis and pickleball crowds, and it really doesn’t have to be that way. Borrow the court, then leave it exactly as you found it — as a tennis court. That small courtesy keeps everyone happy to share.
FAQs
What if a tennis player shows up while we’re playing?
Don’t worry about it. You’re using the court the same way another tennis match would — so share it the way you’d expect them to. Respect any posted time limits and turn the court over at the expected time. Treat it like any other group waiting their turn and there’s no friction.
Won’t the higher net hurt my game?
Just the opposite. That extra 2 inches makes you sharper, and the lower regulation net feels easier when you go back to it. I’d rather practice a little harder and play a little easier.
Can’t I just chalk or tape the lines so they’re easier to see?
Please don’t. It can damage the court and it changes the look for the tennis players. Use the markers you’ve got, and if it helps your eyes, set a cone or water bottle on the sideline as a visual — just make it a standing rule that if a ball hits a marker, you replay the point.
Is a tennis court really as good as a real pickleball court?
Here’s how I think about it: playing pickleball on a tennis court won’t be perfect, and that’s fine. The lines are close, the net is close, and the game you’ll play is absolutely worth playing. The players who improve and have the most fun aren’t the ones waiting for ideal conditions — they’re the ones who got on a court today. A tennis court in your back pocket beats a full schedule and a long wait every single time.
So the next time you face a wall of full courts, don’t pack up and head home. Look around. That quiet tennis court might be the best game you play all week.
Let me know how this works for you! Leave me a comment!
CJ Johnson
Hey there — I’m a professional three-sport athlete and coach who has spent my entire adult life earning a living from playing and coaching sports. Since I started coaching more than three decades ago, one thing has remained the same: My commitment to see students not as they are but as what they can become and to move heaven and earth to help them realize their untapped potential. You should know that when it comes to helping pickleball players over 50 live their best lives on and off the courts, I'm an expert. Good pickleball is not just technique; it's the mind and body working holistically. That's why I'm also a personal trainer and weight management specialist. When I’m chillin', you'll find me watching Star Trek with my husband John and our two fur babies, Shirley and Ralph. (Yes, Happy Days)
You explained very well how to play a pickleball game. I read your complete article and really enjoy it. My Question is can we play a pickleball game on a ping-pong court or tennise court.
Hi Roban, anywhere where you have enough room for a badminton size court you can play pickleball (20 feet wide at the baseline and 44 feet from end to end). Tennis courts are ideal.
We use painters tape to mark the lines. Especially the kitchen line at 7 feet from the net to the outside of the tape.
Do you use the 2 inch wide, blue painters tape, available at any hardware store?
I’m in Minnesota, while we have a few pickleball courts. There are unused tennis courts everywhere!
Hi Michael, yes, you can use painter’s tape but depending on how often you play at the same court, you might find this kit handier. https://amzn.to/3EXeR86
What is the cost person person to play Pickleball on a tennis court reserved for Pickleball? I got rules, construction and how to play but what is the current cost to play per person; e.g. In tennis it is $4 for Santa Monica resident and $5 per non-resident per person per hour.
Hi Wil, every area is different. Some are free some are more expensive. The pickleball ambassador in your area may be able to help. In our free beginner guide, we have links to help you find your local ambassador in your area. If you haven’t gotten the guide and the free video course you can sign up for it at betterpickleball.com/beginners.