Standard Indoor Volleyball Court Dimensions
The regulation size of a standard indoor volleyball court is 18 meters long by 9 meters wide, which equals approximately 59 feet by 29.5 feet. The entire playing surface must be a flat, horizontal rectangle free of obstructions, and the court is divided into two equal halves by a center line. Each half measures 9 meters by 9 meters, and the official boundary lines are part of the court, typically drawn 5 centimeters wide. The free zone surrounding the court must be at least 3 meters wide on all sides, providing safe space for player movement and ball retrieval FIVB Official Statutes and Regulations.
The net height at the center is set at 2.43 meters for men's competition and 2.24 meters for women's competition, with antennae extending 80 centimeters above the net on each side. The attack line is drawn 3 meters from the center line on each side, dividing the court into front and back zones. The posts supporting the net are placed 0.5 to 1.0 meter outside the sidelines, and the net itself is 1 meter wide and extends the full width of the court. These standardized dimensions ensure consistency across professional leagues, collegiate programs, and international tournaments worldwide.
Beach Volleyball Court Size and Layout
The regulation size of a beach volleyball court is 16 meters long by 8 meters wide, which is roughly 52.5 feet by 26.25 feet. The playing surface consists of flat, leveled sand free of debris, rocks, and other hazards, with a minimum sand depth of 40 centimeters. The court is divided into two equal squares by a center line, and there is no attack line on a beach volleyball court. The free zone must be at least 3 meters wide on all sides, and the playing area should be oriented to minimize the impact of direct sunlight and wind Volleyball World Official Beach Volleyball Rules.
The net height for beach volleyball is 2.43 meters for men and 2.24 meters for women, matching the indoor net height for the respective genders. The antennae on each side of the net extend 80 centimeters above the net and are considered part of the lateral boundaries. The ball used in beach volleyball is slightly larger and less dense than an indoor ball, with a circumference of 66 to 68 centimeters. Matches are played as best-of-three sets, with the first two sets played to 21 points and the third set, if needed, played to 15 points.
Key Court Markings and Measurement Guidelines
All boundary lines on a regulation volleyball court are 5 centimeters wide and are considered part of the court area they define. The center line divides the court into two equal 9-meter halves, and the attack line is drawn 3 meters from the center line on each side. The service area is located behind the end line and extends the full width of the court, with no specific depth requirement beyond the free zone. Substitution and libero replacement zones are marked along the sideline between the attack line and the center line on each side of the court NCAA Volleyball Rules and Regulations.
For indoor courts, the ceiling height must be at least 7 meters for national federation competitions and at least 12.5 meters for world and official competitions. The floor surface must be made of wood or synthetic material, and the court lines must contrast clearly with the surrounding floor color. Lighting requirements vary by competition level, but the illuminance must be uniform across