Netball Court Dimensions

A full-size netball court is 30.5 metres long and 15.25 metres wide, divided into three equal thirds, with a semi-circular goal circle at each end.

Those are the headline numbers. If you are marking out a court, planning a build, or working out whether a space will fit one, the details below matter just as much — particularly run-off space, which is where most school and club court projects run into trouble.

The standard court

The court is rectangular, level and firm. The two longer sides are called side lines and measure 30.5m. The two shorter sides are called goal lines and measure 15.25m.

All lines are 50mm wide, preferably white, and are part of the court area they outline.

That last point has real consequences in play. A player standing on a line is in the area that line encloses, which is what turns a toe on a transverse line into an offside call.

Thirds and transverse lines

Two lines parallel to the goal lines divide the court into three equal areas. These are the transverse lines. The middle area is the centre third, and the two end areas are the goal thirds.

Each third measures 10.167 metres — 30.5 divided by three.

The thirds are not decorative. They define where each of the seven positions may go, and they are the reason netball looks so different from basketball despite the similar footprint. Our netball positions guide sets out which areas each bib is allowed in.

The goal circle and centre circle

A goal circle is located at each end of the court: a semi-circle of radius 4.9m whose centre is the mid-point of the outside of the goal line. All scoring shots must be taken from inside it.

A circle 0.9m in diameter sits in the centre of the court — the centre circle. The Centre must be wholly within it to take a centre pass.

Marking out the goal circle

1. Find the mid-point of the 15.25m goal line, measuring to the outside edge of the line.
2. Anchor a non-stretch tape at that point.
3. Measure 4.9 metres and swing a smooth arc from one side of the goal line to the other.
4. Check both ends of the arc finish flush against the goal line.

Get the anchor point wrong by even a few centimetres and every shot taken from the circle edge is being taken from the wrong distance — which matters more now that some competitions use a two-point zone measured from the post.

Goalposts on the court

A goalpost is placed at the mid-point of each goal line so the back of the pole is at the outer edge of the goal line. It is inserted in the ground or sleeved beneath the floor so that when knocked there is minimal movement and it remains stable.

Because lines are 50mm wide and posts are 65–100mm in diameter, the pole ends up overlapping the court by 15–50mm. The post is genuinely in play, which is why players work around and behind it.

The pole is 65–100mm in diameter and 3.05m high, covered with padding of uniform thickness no more than 50mm thick, extending the full length of the pole. The ring is steel rod 15mm in diameter with a 380mm internal diameter, attached to a 150mm horizontal bar projecting from the front edge at the top of the pole. The net is preferably white, clearly visible and open at top and bottom.

Full hardware detail is in our netball hoop guide.

Run-off: the space you actually need

This is the number most people miss. The playing court is 30.5m x 15.25m, but you cannot build a court that size in a space that size.

The minimum run-off on all side lines and baselines is 3.05m. Where there are multiple courts, the run-off between courts is 3.65m. Run-off zones must be free of all obstacles and the same surface type and level as the court.

Design guidance distinguishes between levels. For indoor premier courts, run-offs are 3.05m at both ends and sides, giving an overall single-court requirement of 36.60m by 23.35m with a ceiling height of at least 7.5m, plus 2.0m by the court length for team benches and officials.

For indoor club courts, the minimum run-offs drop to 2.00m at the ends and 1.5m at the sides, with 3.05m preferred, and an overall minimum footprint of 34.50m by 18.25–20.25m.

If you are assessing a site, work backwards from the total footprint rather than the court itself.

Line markings and colour

Lines are 50mm wide, preferably white, and it is recommended they are textured, water-based acrylic, straight, with clean crisp edges.

On multi-sport surfaces there is a specific rule worth knowing. Where another sport has priority, red or blue may be used for netball lines — but not yellow. Yellow is excluded, which rules out a common assumption in multi-sport court planning.

Outdoor courts should have a 1% cross fall in both directions, or a 1% fall diagonally on a single constant plane. Indoor courts are flat with no gradient change.

Junior variations

The court itself does not change for junior grades in New Zealand — the modifications are to team size, playing area used, and post height.

Year 1 and 2 play 4 v 4 on one third of the court with goals no higher than 2.1m. Year 3 and 4 play 5 v 5 across two thirds with 2.6-metre goals. Year 5 and 6 play 6 v 6 on a full court, still at 2.6m. Year 7 and 8 move to the full 7 v 7 game at 3.05m.

This is why adjustable or removable posts with ground sockets are worth the investment at schools serving several year groups.

Surfaces

The rules state the surface should be wooden, preferably sprung wooden, but may be other material provided it is safe to play on.

In practice most New Zealand community netball is played outdoors on asphalt or concrete, which is durable and drains well when the fall is correct, but is abrasive and unforgiving underfoot. Textured acrylic coatings over a sound asphalt base offer better grip and some shock absorption. Sprung timber is confined to indoor stadiums.

Outdoor courts shaded by buildings or trees accumulate moss and algae through winter, and painted lines are the first surfaces to turn slippery. Regular cleaning is a genuine safety task rather than a cosmetic one.

Netball versus basketball courts

A netball court is longer and slightly wider than an international basketball court, which is 28m by 15m.

The layouts are not interchangeable. Netball has no three-point arc, no key, and no free-throw line. It has transverse thirds and two semi-circular goal circles, none of which appear on a basketball court. And netball posts have no backboard and sit on the goal line rather than being set back from it.

Building or resurfacing a court

Costs vary enormously with site conditions, earthworks, drainage, base preparation, surface system and location, so get quotes from contractors who build sports surfaces specifically rather than working from published ranges.

The elements to price are broadly: excavation and base works including sub-surface drainage; the structural asphalt or concrete base; the surface coating system and line marking; and hardware — ground sleeves, posts, padding, rings and nets.

Many New Zealand clubs fund upgrades through regional sporting grants, community trusts and council recreation funds. Your netball centre will know which funders local clubs have had success with.

This article is provided for factual and informational purposes only and is not construction, engineering or purchasing advice. Court specifications and design guidance are set by the governing bodies and can change — confirm current requirements with World Netball and Netball New Zealand, and engage a qualified sports surface contractor for any build or resurfacing project. Details on this page were verified in August 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a netball court?

30.5 metres long by 15.25 metres wide. The long sides are the side lines and the short ends are the goal lines.

How big is the goal circle in netball?

It is a semi-circle with a 4.9-metre radius, measured from the mid-point of the outside of the goal line.

How wide are netball court lines?

50mm, preferably white. All lines are part of the area they enclose, so standing on a line counts as being in that area.

How much space do you need around a netball court?

The minimum run-off is 3.05m on all sides and ends, and 3.65m between adjacent courts. Including run-off, a single court needs roughly 36.6m by 23.35m at premier level. Indoor club courts can go down to 2.0m at the ends and 1.5m at the sides.

How high is a netball post?

3.05 metres to the top of the ring, with the post placed at the mid-point of the goal line so the back of the pole sits at the outer edge of the line.

What colour should netball court lines be?

Preferably white. Where another sport has priority on a multi-sport surface, red or blue may be used for the netball lines — yellow is specifically excluded.

Is a netball court the same size as a basketball court?

No. An international basketball court is 28m by 15m, so a netball court is longer and slightly wider. The internal markings are completely different: netball has thirds and goal circles, basketball has a key and a three-point arc.