How big is a basketball court?
Officials' detail · Players, officials and the court · 2 of 2A FIBA court is 28 metres long and 15 metres wide. The three-point line is an arc 6.75 metres from the point under the basket, and the free-throw line is 5.80 metres from the endline. The basket ring is 3.05 metres (10 feet) above the floor.
How it works
| Marking | Size | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Court | 28 × 15 m, measured inside the lines | The boundary lines are out |
| Centre line | Across the middle | Part of the backcourt |
| Centre circle | 1.80 m radius | The opening jump ball |
| Three-point line | Arc of 6.75 m, joined to straight lines 0.90 m from each sideline | The line itself is in the two-point area |
| Restricted area | A rectangle 4.90 m wide from the endline to the free-throw line | The 3-second rule; its lines are part of it |
| Free-throw line | 3.60 m long, far edge 5.80 m from the endline | Free throws |
| No-charge semi-circle | 1.30 m radius from under the basket | Charge or block |
| Throw-in lines | 8.325 m from each endline, on the sidelines | Frontcourt throw-ins after certain fouls and late time-outs |
- All lines are 5 cm wide.
- At least 2 metres of clear floor surround the court.
- A team's backcourt is the half with its own basket, and its frontcourt the half it attacks.
Tricky cases
A shooter's toe was on the three-point line. Is it three points?
No. The line is not part of the three-point area, so it is a two-pointer.
Is the three-point line the same distance everywhere?
No. In the corners it runs straight, 0.90 metres from the sideline, which is closer to the basket than the 6.75-metre arc.
Is the NBA court the same?
No. The NBA uses a slightly larger court and a longer three-point line.
Why the rule exists
The lines turn distance into value: a shot from beyond the arc is worth more because it is harder, and the restricted area keeps the space under the basket from being occupied.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIBA rules | As above | A2 |
| Basket height, backboard and ball | In FIBA's equipment appendix | Not covered here: C |
| NBA | Larger court and longer three-point line | C |
From the rule book
FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026, Article 2, valid from 1 October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIBA Official Basketball Rules (PDF).