How big is a 3x3 basketball court?
Officials' detail · The game · 1 of 1A 3x3 court is 15 metres wide and 11 metres long, with one basket. It is a little smaller than half of a five-a-side court and uses the same markings: the free-throw line 5.80 metres out, the arc at 6.75 metres and the no-charge semi-circle under the basket.
How it works
- Size: 15 metres wide by 11 metres long, measured from the inside of the boundary lines.
- The lines: two sidelines, a baseline under the basket and an end line at the far side. They are not part of the court.
- The free-throw line: 5.80 metres from the baseline.
- The arc: 6.75 metres from the centre of the basket.
- The restricted area: the rectangle between the baseline and the free-throw line.
- The no-charge semi-circle: 1.25 metres in radius, under the basket.
- Run-off space: 1 metre behind the end line, 1.5 metres at the sides and 2 metres behind the baseline.
- The table: behind the end line, to the left when facing the basket, with one substitution seat for each team beside it.
- Equipment: a backstop with a padded support, at least two 3x3 balls, a game clock, a scoreboard and a shot clock.
- Grassroots: 3x3 may be played anywhere basketball has been played, with the markings adapted to the space.
The glossary has the court, the arc, the restricted area and the no-charge semi-circle.
Tricky cases
Can 3x3 be played on half of a normal basketball court?
Yes. The markings are the same, and at grassroots level the rules allow any place where basketball has been played.
Is the basket the same height as in normal basketball?
It depends on the equipment appendix, which was not read for this page. The rules send equipment details there. For under-12 games they recommend lowering the basket to 2.60 metres where possible.
Is a foot on the sideline out?
Yes. The boundary lines are not part of the court.
Is the 3x3 ball a normal basketball?
No. The rules require a "3x3 ball" and leave its details to the equipment appendix. An older undated FIBA text in our files calls it a size 6 ball.
Why the rule exists
Using the markings of a normal court means any gym or playground with a basket can host a game. The official size is kept small enough to set a court down in a city square, which is where the top events are played.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIBA 3x3 official competitions | The full court, the set colours and a shot clock built into the backstop | Art. 2.1 |
| Grassroots | Markings adapted to the space | Art. 2.1 |
| Under-12 | Recommended basket height of 2.60 metres | Appendix E |
| Five-a-side basketball | A full court of 28 by 15 metres with two baskets | ../5x5/ set |
From the rule book
FIBA, Official 3x3 Basketball Rules 2026 (valid as of 1 January 2026), Articles 2.1, 2.2.1 to 2.2.4 and 3, and Appendix E. Official document:FIBA Official 3x3 Basketball Rules (PDF).