Introduction
You must know the volleyball court size and measurements before installing a new court. You must know everything, from the materials you use to build the court to the facilities and lighting. But one of the most important things is to figure out the size and dimensions of your court. It’s like the foundation of the whole setup!
If you dream of hosting official events, whether for professional players or amateur players, you’ve got to play by the rules set by the official governing bodies. That means sticking to the standards set by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), USA Volleyball (USAV), the NCAA, and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). These organizations are responsible for the rules and measurements of the court.
In this post, I’ll discuss the measurement and size of a volleyball court and the net measurements.
The Standard Volleyball Court Size
Whether you’re playing inside or outside, the size of the court stays the same. The indoor courts use special flooring made of resilient wood or synthetic urethane. The court measures 59 feet in length (18 meters) and 29.5 feet wide (9 meters). These measurements are like the recipe for a perfect game.
Inside the court, you’ve got these attack lines that split up the front and back rows. They’re like the boundaries for where you can launch your attacks. These lines are 9 feet and 10 inches (3 meters) from the net.
Around the entire court, there’s a buffer zone of at least 9 feet and 10 inches (about 3 meters). And on the sides, you’ve got even more room to move around—up to 16 feet and 5 inches (or about 5 meters).
Volleyball Court Measurements
| Dimensions | Volleyball court size |
| Width | 29.5 feet / 9 meters |
| Length | 59 feet / 18 meters |
| Area | 1,743 sq. ft / 161 sq. m |
| Attack Line | 9 feet 10 inches (10 feet) / 3 meters from the net |
| Playing Area | 1,743 sq. ft / 161 sq. m |
| Free Zone (Back) | 9 feet 10 inches – 21 feet 4 inches / 3 – 6.5 meters |
| Free Zone (Side) | 9 feet 10 inches – 16 feet 5 inches / 3 – 5 meters |
| Area with Clearances (Minimum) | 3,875 sq. ft / 360 sq. m |
| Area with Clearances (Large) | 6,340 sq. ft / 589 sq. m |
Volleyball court measurements by league
Indoor Volleyball
The National Federation of State High School Associations ( NFHS ) governs indoor volleyball court size.
➢ Court length: 60 feet (18.29 meters)
➢ Court Width: 30 feet (9.14 meters)
NCAA, FIVB & USAVB (USA Volleyball)
➢ Length: 59 feet (18 meters)
➢ Width: 29.5 feet (9 meters)
Line Markings
➢ All lines on the court are 5 cm broad and brightly colored.
➢ Boundary lines include the two sidelines and end lines.
➢ The centerline divides the court into two halves.
➢ The front zone is determined by the rear edge of the attack line, which is 3 meters away from the centerline.
Outdoor/Beach Volleyball
The NCAA, FIVB, and USAV govern outdoor volleyball.
➢ Length: 52.6 feet (16 meters)
➢ Width: 26.25 feet (8 meters)
Beach volleyball is played on a sandy court, smoothed and cleared of debris.
Lines Markings
➢ Lines are 5 cm broad and contrasting with the sand.
➢ There is no centerline.
➢ The lines and flexible anchors are used for court lines.
Zones and Areas
➢ Around the volleyball court, there’s a designated service zone and a free zone.
➢ The service zone is 8 meters wide behind the end line, stopping just within the 3-meter-wide free zone.
Recreational
➢ Length: 52.5 feet (16 meters)
➢ Width: 26.25 feet (8 meters)
Net and posts
Nets and posts in indoor volleyball are regulated precisely. Men’s nets stand at 2.43 meters in height, while women’s are at 2.24 meters. The net is 10 cm square, black mesh, 1 meter wide, and 9.5–10 meters long. Antennae mark the net’s vertical boundaries. Standing 2.55 meters tall, posts are positioned between 0.50 and 1 meter outside the sidelines with no wires and contoured shapes, firmly secured to the ground.
FAQs
How many feet long is a volleyball court?
A standard volleyball court measures 29 feet 6 inches in width and 59 feet in length for an overall area of 1,743 square feet.
What is the volleyball court size?
The dimensions of the playing court measure 18 meters in length and 9 meters in width. A 3-meter-wide free zone on all sides encloses this court. Above the playing area lies the free playing space, which must have a minimum height of 7 meters from the playing surface.
Who is the father of volleyball?
William G. Morgan
How many players play a game of volleyball?
In volleyball, a team consists of six players on the court, with six substitutes on the bench. They need at least six players to start a game and can have up to two liberos, specialized defensive players identified by their unique jerseys.
What was the first name given to volleyball?
Initially called “mignonette,” Volleyball was invented in 1895 by American William G. Morgan.
Conclusion
When it comes to volleyball courts, there’s a standard size, whether you’re playing inside or outside. Now, there can be some slight variations indoors, but they usually follow rules set by organizations like the NFHS, NCAA, FIVB, and USA Volleyball. They all agree on certain measurements, like court length and width.
Understanding these dimensions is crucial for players, coaches, and officials to ensure fair play.
