How high is a tennis net?
Officials' detail · The court, the net, the ball and the racket · 2 of 4Checked 13 October 2026
The net is 0.914 metres (3 feet) high at the centre, where a white strap holds it down. It is 1.07 metres (3 feet 6 inches) at the posts. A white band covers the top. In singles on a doubles court, two singles sticks hold the net up at 1.07 metres outside the singles sidelines.
How it works
- 1.07 metres at the posts; 0.914 metres at the centre.
- The posts stand 0.914 metres outside the doubles court, or outside the singles court if a singles net is used.
- With a doubles net in a singles match, singles sticks support it 0.914 metres outside the singles court.
- The net fills the whole space between the posts, with mesh small enough to stop a ball.
- In a singles match with singles sticks, the posts and the net outside the sticks count as permanent fixtures.
Tricky cases
What are singles sticks for?
They raise the net to the right height at the edge of the singles court when a doubles net is being used.
A rally shot hit the singles stick and dropped in. Is it good?
Yes. In a rally that is a good return. On a serve it is a fault.
Why the rule exists
The lower centre and higher sides shape the game: a shot down the line has to clear more net than one across the middle.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ITF rules | As above | L1, 2; L25 Case 1 |
From the rule book
ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rules 1 and 2. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ITF Rules of Tennis (PDF).