Court & Net Dimensions

Under the FIVB Official Volleyball Rules, the court is 18 m long and 9 m wide — two 9 × 9 m halves split by the center line. An attack line (the “10-foot line”) 3 m from the center line marks each front zone, and the net stands 2.43 m high for men and 2.24 m for women.

Court: 18 m × 9 m
Each half: 9 m × 9 m
Attack line (10-foot line): 3 m from the center line
Net height: 2.43 m men / 2.24 m women

Labeled court (top) and net (side view). The court is 18 × 9 m (59 × 29.5 ft), split into two 9 m halves by the center line, with an attack line (the 10-foot line) 3 m from the center line on each side. The net stands 2.43 m (7 ft 11⅝ in) for men or 2.24 m (7 ft 4⅛ in) for women, and each antenna extends 80 cm (32 in) above it.

The court

Around the playing court is a free zone of at least 3 m on all sides (wider for top international events), and there should be at least 7 m of clear space above the court. The center line runs directly under the net; on each side, the attack line (the "10-foot line" in the US) is measured back from the middle of the center line, separating the front zone from the back zone. All lines are 5 cm wide and count as part of the court, so the 18 × 9 m is measured to the outer edges.

The net and antennas

Height: the top of the net is 2.43 m for men and 2.24 m for women, measured at the center of the court.
Net size: the net is 1 m tall (top band to bottom band) and 9.5–10 m long, so it extends 25–50 cm beyond each side band.
Antennas: two flexible rods 1.8 m long are fastened to the net at the outer edge of each side band (the white vertical strip directly above each sideline); the top 80 cm of each antenna sticks up above the net. To land in the opponent's court, the ball must cross the net between the antennas. A ball that touches an antenna is out.

The ball

Circumference: 65–67 cm.
Weight: 260–280 g.
Internal pressure: 0.30–0.325 kg/cm².

For help choosing a ball, see our volleyball buying guide.

For the court layout and how the six zones are numbered on each half, see the six court zones. For footwear that suits the indoor court, see our guides to men's and women's volleyball shoes.

Deep dive: attack line, youth nets and the service zone

Front zone, back zone and the attack line

A back-row player may attack a ball that is completely above the top of the net only if they take off from behind the attack line. So the front zone (center line to attack line) and the back zone (attack line to end line) decide where each player can attack and block.

Youth and age-group net heights

The 2.43 m / 2.24 m heights are the adult FIVB standard; the FIVB rules don't set youth heights. Youth nets are lower and each federation sets its own — for example, under USA Volleyball rules (US):

10 and under: 1.98 m girls, 2.13 m boys
11–12: 2.13 m
13–14: 2.24 m
15–18: 2.24 m girls, 2.43 m boys

Other federations may differ, so check your competition's rules.

Playing with kids? See What Age to Start.

Service zone and free zone

The server can stand anywhere in the service zone: a 9 m-wide strip behind the end line, between the extended sidelines, running back to the end of the free zone. The free zone (at least 3 m around the court) is playable space: you may chase the ball into it, but the ball is out if it lands there. For when the server may step on the line, see the foot fault in the beginner rules.

Frequently asked questions

How high is a volleyball net?

The net is 2.43 m (7 ft 11⅝ in) high for men and 2.24 m (7 ft 4⅛ in) for women, measured at the center of the court. It is 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall and 9.5–10 m (31–33 ft) long, so it extends 25–50 cm (10–19½ in) beyond each side band.

How far is the attack line from the net?

The attack line is 3 m (about 10 ft, which is why US players call it the 10-foot line) from the middle of the center line, which sits directly under the net. It separates the front zone from the back zone; a back-row player must take off from behind it to attack a ball that is completely above the top of the net.

What height is a youth volleyball net?

The FIVB rules set only adult heights, so it depends on the age group and federation. Under USA Volleyball rules (US): 10 and under — 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) girls, 7 ft (2.13 m) boys; 11–12 — 7 ft (2.13 m); 13–14 — 7 ft 4⅛ in (2.24 m); 15–18 — 7 ft 4⅛ in (2.24 m) girls, 7 ft 11⅝ in (2.43 m) boys. Other federations may differ, so check your competition's rules.