Half Court Basketball Dimensions: Standard and Backyard Sizes
Planning a backyard court or running half-court practice? Here's every measurement you need for a half court basketball setup, from regulation sizes to recommended residential dimensions that fit the 3-point line.
Half court basketball is how most people actually play. Whether it's a pickup game at the park, 3-on-3 in the driveway, or practice drills at a gym, half court is the default format for casual and training basketball. Understanding half court basketball dimensions helps if you're planning a backyard court, setting up a gym for practice, or running a 3-on-3 tournament.
A regulation half court is simply half of a full-size court: 47 by 50 feet for NBA/college or 42 by 50 feet for high school. But when you're building a backyard court or working with limited space, the dimensions get flexible. You can go smaller and still have a great court. The key is knowing the minimum sizes needed to fit the 3-point line, free throw line, and enough room to actually play.
This guide covers standard half court dimensions for every level, recommended backyard court sizes, and practical tips for building your own court. Looking for full-court measurements? Check our full basketball court dimensions guide. And if you need gear for your team, browse our custom basketball jerseys and basketball uniforms.
Half Court Dimensions at a Glance
Regulation and recommended residential sizes for half court basketball.
| Court Type | Length | Width | 3-Point Line | Sq. Footage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA / College Half | 47 ft | 50 ft | 23' 9" (NBA) / 22' 1 3/4" (NCAA) | 2,350 sq ft |
| High School Half | 42 ft | 50 ft | 19' 9" | 2,100 sq ft |
| Backyard (Large) | 42 ft | 50 ft | Your choice | 2,100 sq ft |
| Backyard (Medium) | 30 ft | 50 ft | HS (19' 9") | 1,500 sq ft |
| Backyard (Compact) | 30 ft | 30 ft | HS (partial) | 900 sq ft |
| Driveway (Minimum) | 20 ft | 24 ft | None (too small) | 480 sq ft |
Add 3-5 feet of buffer space on all sides for safety if possible.
Regulation Half Court Sizes
Standard dimensions when you split a full court in half.
NBA / College: 47 x 50 feet
Half of an NBA or college court gives you a 47-by-50-foot playing area. That's 2,350 square feet. This is the size you'll find at most public parks and recreation centers with outdoor half courts. The full NBA 3-point line (23 feet 9 inches) fits with room to spare, and there's plenty of space behind the arc for drives and pull-up jumpers.
High School: 42 x 50 feet
A high school half court is 42 by 50 feet (2,100 square feet). The shorter length reflects the high school full court being 84 feet instead of 94. The high school 3-point line at 19 feet 9 inches is closer to the basket, making this size easier to fit in smaller spaces while still having a full 3-point arc.
Key Half Court Measurements
The markings that matter for half court play.
3-Point Line by Level
- •NBA: 23' 9" (22' in corners)
- •College: 22' 1 3/4"
- •High School: 19' 9"
- •Measured from center of basket
Basket and Backboard
- •Rim height: 10 ft from the ground
- •Backboard: 4 ft from baseline
- •Free throw line: 15 ft from backboard
- •Lane width: 12 ft (HS/College), 16 ft (NBA)
Minimum for Full 3-Point Line
- •HS arc (19' 9"): Min 30 ft deep x 44 ft wide
- •College arc (22' 1 3/4"): Min 34 ft deep x 48 ft wide
- •NBA arc (23' 9"): Min 36 ft deep x 50 ft wide
- •Add 3-5 ft beyond the arc for a safe playing area
Half Court Line (Check Line)
- •In pickup games, the "check" line is the 3-point arc or the half court line
- •In 3-on-3 (FIBA rules), the court is 49 ft wide x 36 ft deep
- •FIBA 3x3 uses its own 3-point arc at 22' 1 3/4"
Backyard Court Size Guide
How to choose the right size for your space and budget.
Small: 20 x 24 feet (Driveway Size)
This is the minimum space needed for shooting practice. You'll have a free throw line and a little room for layups, but no 3-point arc. This size works for driveway setups with a mounted or portable hoop. It's great for shooting drills and one-on-one but too small for real games.
Medium: 30 x 30 feet
At 30 by 30 feet, you can fit a high school 3-point arc (partial, since the full width would need about 44 feet). This is a popular size for backyard courts. You can play competitive 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 with drives, pull-ups, and post moves. Adding a few feet of buffer on each side improves the experience significantly.
Large: 30-42 x 50 feet
This is the sweet spot for a serious backyard half court. At 50 feet wide, you can fit a full-width 3-point arc at any level. A depth of 30 feet gives you room for the high school arc, while 42 feet gives you a regulation high school half court with buffer space. This size supports 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 pickup games. It's the closest you'll get to a gym experience in your backyard.
Tips for Building
Always leave at least 3 feet of buffer beyond the playing surface on all sides. If there's a fence or wall behind the basket, pad it. The surface should be flat with a slight slope (1%) for drainage. Concrete is the most common and durable surface. Sport tiles add cushion and can be installed over concrete for a more forgiving playing surface. An in-ground basketball system is more stable than a portable one and provides a better playing experience.
3-on-3 (FIBA 3x3) Court Dimensions
The official dimensions for organized 3-on-3 basketball.
FIBA 3x3 basketball, which debuted at the 2020 Olympics, uses its own court dimensions. The official 3x3 court is 49 feet wide and 36 feet deep (15 by 11 meters). It uses a single basket with the FIBA 3-point arc at 22 feet 1 3/4 inches. The free throw line is 15 feet from the backboard, same as full-court play.
If you're setting up a 3-on-3 tournament, you can mark a 3x3 court within any regulation half court. The slightly smaller footprint makes it possible to fit more courts in a gym or outdoor space. Many tournaments run 3 or 4 courts side by side in a standard gymnasium.
Whether you're running a 3-on-3 league or just playing pickup, knowing the basketball positions helps organize your team. And if you need basketball uniforms for a league or tournament, we've got you covered with no minimums and fast turnaround.
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Basketball Uniforms
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Custom Basketball Jerseys
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Basketball Positions
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Full Court Dimensions
Complete full-court basketball dimensions for NBA, college, and high school.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is a half court basketball court?
A regulation half court is 47 feet long and 50 feet wide for NBA and college (half of the 94 by 50 foot full court). A high school half court is 42 feet long and 50 feet wide. For backyard courts, the most popular sizes range from 30 by 30 feet to 42 by 50 feet, depending on available space and whether you want a full 3-point line.
What is the minimum size for a backyard basketball court?
The minimum practical size for a backyard basketball half court is about 20 by 24 feet, which gives you enough room for a free throw line, some shooting space, and a small lane. To include a 3-point line, you need at least 30 by 30 feet for a high school arc or 34 by 42 feet for a college arc. Most homeowners find that a 30 by 50 foot court is the sweet spot for a good playing experience.
Does a half court have a 3-point line?
Regulation half courts include the 3-point line. The distance depends on the level: NBA is 23 feet 9 inches from the basket, college is 22 feet 1 3/4 inches, and high school is 19 feet 9 inches. For backyard courts, you can paint whichever 3-point arc you prefer, though many choose the high school distance since it fits in a smaller space.
How much does it cost to build a backyard half court?
A basic backyard half court on concrete costs roughly $4,000 to $15,000 depending on size, location, and surface preparation. A court with professional sport tiles or rubber surfacing costs $15,000 to $35,000 or more. The main cost factors are concrete work (or asphalt), surface coating or tiles, the basketball system (hoop, backboard, pole), and line painting. A simple driveway setup with a portable hoop can cost under $500.
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