How high is a volleyball net?

Officials' detail · The court, the net, the ball, the team and beach volleyball · 2 of 4

Checked 13 October 2026

The top of the net is 2.43 metres high for men and 2.24 metres for women, measured at the centre of the court. An antenna, a thin striped rod, stands at each side of the net above the side line. The ball must pass between the two antennae.

How it works

Height: 2.43 m (men), 2.24 m (women), measured at the centre. Over the side lines it must be equal at both ends and no more than 2 cm above the official height.
The net is 1 metre deep and 9.5 to 10 metres long, with a white band along the top.
Side bands: white, 5 cm wide, fixed to the net directly above each side line.
Antennae: flexible rods 1.80 metres long, fixed at the outer edge of each side band. The top 80 cm stands above the net, striped in contrasting colours, usually red and white.
The side bands and antennae are part of the net.
Posts: 2.55 metres high, 0.5 to 1 metre outside the side lines.

Tricky cases

Is the net lower for younger players?

It depends on the competition. The FIVB indoor rules give only the two heights, and age-group heights are set by national federations and competitions.

What are the antennae for?

They mark the sides of the crossing space. A ball that touches one, or passes outside it, is out.

Why the rule exists

The net height sets the whole game: high enough that attacking takes a jump, low enough that a block can stop it. The antennae show where the side of the court is in the air.

Where it differs

Where	What changes	Source
FIVB rules	As above	V 2
Mixed and age-group play	Heights set by the competition	Not covered
Beach volleyball	Same heights	BV 2.1

From the rule book

FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rule 2. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIVB Official Volleyball Rules (PDF).