Official pickleball net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at center. The two-inch sag is in the rules on purpose — it rewards shots through the middle and it's identical at every level, from driveway to the PPA Tour courts we surface.
The full net spec
| Element | Spec |
|---|---|
| Height at sidelines | 36" |
| Height at center | 34" |
| Net width | 21'9" minimum (posts 22' apart) |
| Post height | 36" to cord |
| Center strap | Required for regulation — sets the 34" |
"Can we just use the tennis net?"
The most common question on converted courts. A tennis net is 36" at center and 42" at the posts — too high everywhere, and the court is wider than a pickleball net anyway. For casual play, lowering the tennis center strap to ~34" works. For real play, install pickleball posts and a proper net; the conversion guide covers layouts and costs.
How to measure yours
A tape and thirty seconds: measure at each sideline (36") and at center (34"), and adjust the tension strap. Portable nets drift — check them every few sessions; sagging below 33" changes the game more than players realize.
Building the court around the net
Full court measurements live in the dimensions guide. Permanent posts need footers placed before the slab pour — one of those decide-early details in the construction guide. Nets, posts, and hardware are on our accessories line.