Basketball Court Dimensions: Every Measurement for Every Level
From NBA arenas to middle school gyms, basketball court sizes vary more than you'd think. Here's a complete guide to court dimensions, 3-point line distance, free throw measurements, lane width, and rim height for every level of play.
Getting basketball court dimensions right is important whether you're coaching at a school gym, planning a backyard court, or just trying to understand why the 3-point line looks closer at a high school game than it does on TV. Basketball courts vary in size depending on the level of play, and the differences are bigger than most people realize.
The biggest difference is length: an NBA and college court is 94 feet long, a high school court is 84 feet, and a junior high court is typically 74 feet. But it's not just the overall size that changes. The 3-point line moves significantly between levels, the lane width is different in the NBA, and various markings shift position as you go up. Rim height, though, stays at 10 feet everywhere.
This guide covers basketball court dimensions for every level, from youth leagues through the NBA, including all the key measurements you'll need for the 3-point line, free throw line, key, and more. If you're getting your team ready for the season, check out our custom basketball jerseys and basketball uniforms.
Basketball Court Dimensions at a Glance
Quick reference table comparing court sizes and key measurements across all levels.
| Measurement | NBA / WNBA | College (NCAA) | High School | Junior High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Court Length | 94 ft | 94 ft | 84 ft | 74 ft |
| Court Width | 50 ft | 50 ft | 50 ft | 42 ft |
| 3-Point Line | 23' 9" | 22' 1 3/4" | 19' 9" | 19' 9" |
| Lane Width | 16 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft |
| Free Throw Line | 15 ft | 15 ft | 15 ft | 15 ft |
| Rim Height | 10 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft |
| 3-Point Corner | 22 ft | 21' 7 3/4" | 19' 9" | 19' 9" |
Free throw line measured from the front of the backboard. 3-point line measured from the center of the basket.
NBA and WNBA Court Dimensions
The largest standard basketball court size, used by professionals worldwide.
Court Size: 94 x 50 feet
The NBA and WNBA use an identical court size of 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. This has been the standard since 1988 when the 3-point line was officially adopted. The court surface is made of maple hardwood, with each team's logo at center court and the paint (lane area) in the team's colors.
3-Point Line: 23 ft 9 in (22 ft in corners)
The NBA 3-point line is an arc that's 23 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket. In the corners, where the arc meets the sideline, the distance shortens to 22 feet because the arc runs into the sideline boundary. This shorter corner distance is why the corner 3 is considered one of the most efficient shots in the NBA. The WNBA moved to the same 3-point distance as the NBA starting in the 2021-22 season.
Lane (Key): 16 feet wide
The NBA lane is 16 feet wide, 4 feet wider than college and high school. This wider lane was introduced in 1951 to create more space around the basket and prevent dominant centers from parking next to the rim. The lane extends 15 feet from the baseline to the free throw line, and the free throw circle has a 6-foot radius.
Restricted Area
The NBA has a restricted area arc (commonly called the charge circle) with a 4-foot radius from the center of the basket. Defensive players inside this arc cannot take charges. The WNBA uses the same restricted area. College basketball also has a restricted area arc, set at a 3-foot radius. High school does not have a restricted area.
College (NCAA) Court Dimensions
Same length and width as the NBA, but the lane and 3-point line differ.
Court Size: 94 x 50 feet
The college court matches the NBA at 94 by 50 feet. Men's and women's college basketball use the same court dimensions. The biggest differences from the NBA are the narrower lane and shorter 3-point distance.
3-Point Line: 22 ft 1 3/4 in
The NCAA moved the 3-point line back to 22 feet 1 3/4 inches (the FIBA international distance) for men's basketball starting in the 2019-20 season. Women's college basketball adopted the same distance for the 2021-22 season. Before these changes, the college 3-point line was at 20 feet 9 inches, which was the shortest among major levels. The corner 3 in college is 21 feet 7 3/4 inches.
Lane (Key): 12 feet wide
The college lane is 12 feet wide, the same as high school. This narrower lane gives post players more room to operate close to the basket compared to the NBA. The lane still extends 15 feet from the baseline to the free throw line. The college restricted area arc has a 3-foot radius, one foot less than the NBA's 4-foot arc.
High School Court Dimensions
Shorter court, closer 3-point line, no restricted area.
Court Size: 84 x 50 feet
A high school basketball court is 84 feet long and 50 feet wide, which is 10 feet shorter than an NBA or college court. The width stays the same at 50 feet. This shorter court means the half-court line is at 42 feet instead of 47 feet, and the backcourt is more compact. If you're coaching high school ball and need basketball uniforms, plan ahead so your team is ready for the first game.
3-Point Line: 19 ft 9 in
The high school 3-point line is 19 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket, making it a uniform arc (unlike the NBA where corners are shorter). This is the closest 3-point line at any major level, which is why you see a lot of 3-point shooting in high school basketball. NFHS has discussed moving the line back but has kept it at 19 feet 9 inches for now.
Lane and Other Markings
The high school lane is 12 feet wide, same as college. There is no restricted area arc at the high school level. The division line (half-court) is at the 42-foot mark. The center circle has a 6-foot radius. Free throw lane spaces (the hash marks along the lane used during free throws) are spaced the same as college: the first mark is 7 feet from the baseline, with subsequent marks at 1-foot intervals.
Junior High and Middle School Court Dimensions
Smaller courts for younger players with the same basic layout.
Court Size: 74 x 42 feet
Junior high and middle school courts are typically 74 feet long and 42 feet wide. Some newer middle school gyms have 84-by-50-foot courts (high school size), but many older facilities use the smaller dimensions. The 74-by-42-foot court keeps the game proportional for smaller players who can't cover as much ground.
The 3-point line at the middle school level is typically 19 feet 9 inches (same as high school), and the lane is 12 feet wide. Rim height stays at 10 feet, though some youth programs for players under 10 use 8 or 9-foot rims. All other markings follow high school standards.
Key Court Markings and Measurements
Detailed breakdown of every major marking on a basketball court.
Free Throw Line
- •Distance from backboard: 15 ft (all levels)
- •Distance from baseline: 19 ft (backboard is 4 ft inbound)
- •Free throw circle: 6 ft radius
Backboard and Rim
- •Rim height: 10 ft from the floor (all levels)
- •Backboard size: 72 in wide x 42 in tall
- •Backboard from baseline: 4 ft
- •Rim diameter: 18 in (inside)
Center Court
- •Center circle radius: 6 ft (all levels)
- •Division line: Runs full width at midcourt
- •Used for jump balls and 10-second backcourt violations
Boundary Lines
- •Line width: 2 inches wide
- •Sidelines: Run the full length of the court
- •Baselines: Run the full width behind each basket
- •All lines are inside the court (the outside edge is the boundary)
Understanding the Court Layout
A walk-through of how a basketball court is organized from end to end.
A basketball court is a rectangle divided in half by the midcourt line. Starting from one baseline and moving toward center court, here's what you'll find.
The backboard hangs 4 feet inside the baseline, with the rim mounted 10 feet above the floor. Directly beneath the basket, the lane (key or paint) extends outward to the free throw line 15 feet from the backboard. The lane is bounded by the lane lines on each side and the free throw line at the top. Hash marks along the lane lines indicate where players stand during free throws.
Beyond the lane, the 3-point arc curves from one side of the court to the other, marking the boundary between 2-point and 3-point territory. At the NBA level, the arc meets the sideline in the corners, creating a slightly shorter corner 3. At the high school level, the arc is a true semicircle at a uniform distance.
The midcourt line divides the court in half, with a center circle used for jump balls. The opposing half is a mirror image. Teams have 10 seconds (8 in the NBA) to advance the ball past the midcourt line after gaining possession.
Tips for Coaches and Facility Planners
Practical advice for getting your court set up right.
Buffer space around the court
NCAA recommends at least 3 feet of clear space between the court boundary and any wall, bleacher, or obstruction. Many high school gyms are tight on space, so padding on the wall behind the baskets is common and recommended for safety.
Multi-court gyms
If your gym has multiple courts running side by side (common for practice), make sure the primary court lines are a different color than the cross-court lines. Most gyms use a darker color for the main court and lighter lines for the practice courts. This reduces confusion during games.
Youth modifications
For players under 10, consider using 8 or 9-foot rims and a smaller ball (size 5 for ages 9-11, size 4 for ages 5-8). The court dimensions don't need to change for the youngest players since they naturally play in a smaller area, but lowering the rim and using a lighter ball makes the game more fun and builds better shooting mechanics.
Getting your team ready
Once you know your court dimensions, it's time to focus on the team. If your players need youth basketball uniforms or custom jerseys, order early in the season to make sure everything arrives before your first game. And check out our basketball positions guide if you're figuring out where to play each kid.
Basketball Gear from Secondslide
Ready to outfit your team? Check out our custom gear.
Basketball Uniforms
Custom basketball uniforms with sublimated jerseys and matching shorts for your team.
Custom Basketball Jerseys
Design your own basketball jerseys with custom colors, logos, names, and numbers.
Basketball Positions
Learn all 5 basketball positions, their roles, and how modern offenses use them.
Youth Basketball Uniforms
Affordable custom uniforms sized for youth basketball players.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of a basketball court?
It depends on the level. An NBA and college basketball court is 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. A high school court is 84 feet long and 50 feet wide. A junior high or middle school court is typically 74 feet long and 42 feet wide. The width is the same for NBA and high school (50 feet), but the length differs by 10 feet.
How far is the 3-point line?
The 3-point line distance varies by level. In the NBA, it's 23 feet 9 inches from the basket (22 feet in the corners). In college (NCAA), it's 22 feet 1 3/4 inches. In high school (NFHS), it's 19 feet 9 inches. The high school line is noticeably closer, which is why you see more 3-point shooting at that level.
How high is a basketball hoop?
A regulation basketball hoop is 10 feet (3.05 meters) from the floor to the rim at every level of play, from youth leagues through the NBA. Some youth programs for very young children (ages 5-7) use 8-foot rims, but 10 feet is the universal standard from about age 8 and up.
How wide is the lane (key) on a basketball court?
The lane (also called the key or paint) is 16 feet wide in the NBA and WNBA. In college and high school, the lane is 12 feet wide. The NBA widened its lane from 12 to 16 feet in 1951 to reduce dominant big men camping close to the basket. The lane extends 15 feet from the baseline to the free throw line at all levels.
What is the free throw distance?
The free throw line is 15 feet from the backboard (or more precisely, from the plane of the front of the backboard) at every level of basketball. This measurement is the same from youth leagues to the NBA. The free throw line is also 19 feet from the baseline since the backboard is 4 feet inside the baseline.
Ready to Outfit Your Basketball Team?
Custom jerseys, shorts, shooting shirts, and warm-ups. No minimums, fast turnaround.