A standard half court basketball court usually measures 47 feet long by 50 feet wide. This gives it a total area of 2,350 square feet. This size is based on dividing a full NBA or college court in half.
What is a Half Court?
A half court basketball court is just what it sounds like: one half of a full basketball court. People often build these courts for many reasons. They are great for small spaces. They also cost less than a full court. Many people like them for their homes. They are perfect for playing one-on-one, two-on-two, or just practicing shots.
A half court has one hoop. It also has a free-throw line and a three-point arc. Sometimes, it has a key or “paint” area. The main goal is to shoot the ball into the hoop from different spots on your half of the court. This makes it a good choice for family fun or serious practice.
Standard Sizes for Half Courts
When we talk about a half court, we often mean a space big enough for real basketball play. The exact size can change. It depends on who is playing and where the court is. But there is a standard half court size in feet that most people refer to.
Regulation Half Court Dimensions
A full basketball court used in the NBA or college games is 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. So, a half court is half of that length. This means a half basketball court dimensions for a standard size are 47 feet by 50 feet.
To find the regulation half court area, we multiply the length by the width.
47 feet (length) x 50 feet (width) = 2,350 square feet.
This is the common size people think of for a good half court. It gives enough space for shooting, dribbling, and some moves. It includes the key area and the three-point line. Knowing this helps if you plan to build one. It also helps if you want to know how much space it takes up.
Calculating Basketball Court Square Footage
Working out the area is simple. You take the length and multiply it by the width. This applies to any rectangle. For a half court, this math tells you the total basketball court square footage. This number is important for planning. It tells you how much material you need. It also helps you see if it fits your space.
Here is a quick look at the most common regulation half court size:
| Feature | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Length | 47 feet |
| Width | 50 feet |
| Total Area | 2,350 sq ft |
This size provides a good playing experience. It allows for shooting from the three-point line and dribbling in the key.
Different Half Court Sizes
Not all half courts are the same size. The exact dimensions can vary. This depends on the league or the age of the players. It also depends on if it’s for a home. Let’s look at some common variations.
NBA Half Court Size
The NBA uses a full court that is 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. This means the NBA half court size is exactly half of that length. So, it is 47 feet long and 50 feet wide. This is the top professional standard. It gives players plenty of room to move. It also lets them shoot from the professional three-point line. The three-point line in the NBA is further back than in college or high school.
The key area on an NBA court is also quite wide. It is 16 feet wide. This space is important for how players move and score points. Knowing the NBA half court size helps us understand the biggest standard for a half court.
High School Basketball Court Dimensions
Most high school courts are the same size as NBA or college courts. They are 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. This means a high school basketball court dimensions for a half court would also be 47 feet by 50 feet. So, it would be 2,350 square feet.
However, sometimes high schools might have slightly smaller courts. For example, some older high school gyms might have a full court that is 84 feet long. If this is the case, then a half court from such a gym would be 42 feet long and 50 feet wide. This would make it 2,100 square feet. It’s less common, but it can happen. The main thing is that the width usually stays at 50 feet.
College (NCAA) Half Court Size
College courts, used by the NCAA, are also 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. So, a half court from a college gym is also 47 feet long and 50 feet wide. Just like the NBA half court, this means it has a regulation half court area of 2,350 square feet. The lines on the court, like the three-point line, might be a bit different from the NBA. But the overall half court size stays the same.
Youth and Junior Half Court Sizes
For younger players, courts are often smaller. This helps them learn the game better. A full court for young kids might be 74 feet long or even 50 feet long. So, a half court for them would be much smaller than the standard 47×50 feet.
For example, a common youth half court might be:
* 37 feet long by 42 feet wide. This makes it 1,554 square feet. (Half of a 74×42 court).
* Even smaller options might be 25 feet by 20 feet for very young children. This would be 500 square feet.
These smaller sizes are great for skill building. They make the game fun and easier for kids. They also need less space, which is good for schools or homes.
Half Courts at Home
Many people dream of having a basketball court in their yard. A half court is usually the best option for homes. It fits better in typical backyards. It also costs less to build and keep up.
Residential Basketball Court Area
When building a home court, you have more freedom with size. The residential basketball court area can be anywhere from a very small shooting pad to a nearly full regulation half court. Most people aim for a size that lets them practice shooting. This means it needs enough space for the three-point line and the free-throw line.
A common size for a home half court is often slightly smaller than the full 47×50 feet. This is because space is often limited. A common practical size for a home court might be:
* 40 feet long by 30 feet wide: This equals 1,200 square feet. This size is good for shooting and some dribbling. It might not fit a full regulation three-point line, depending on the line.
* 40 feet long by 25 feet wide: This equals 1,000 square feet. This is more compact but still useful.
* Smaller sizes for shooting only: Some people just want a small area for shooting practice. This could be 20 feet by 20 feet (400 square feet). This is usually just the key area and some room around the hoop.
Choosing the right size depends on your yard size and how you want to play.
Smallest Practical Half Court Footprint
What is the very least amount of space you need for a half court? This depends on what you want to do. If you just want to shoot free throws, you need less space. If you want to shoot three-pointers, you need more.
The critical parts of a half court are:
1. The hoop and backboard.
2. The free-throw line: This is 15 feet from the backboard.
3. The three-point arc: This varies but can be 23 feet 9 inches (NBA) or 19 feet 9 inches (high school/college) from the center of the hoop.
So, for a usable half court, you generally need space that covers these key areas. If you want a full three-point line from an NBA court, your court needs to be at least about 24 feet long from the hoop. If you want a high school three-point line, you need about 20 feet. Then you need some room behind the line to step back.
A practical court footprint half court often starts around 30 feet long. This allows for a good free throw shot and some three-point attempts, even if not regulation. The width needs to be enough for the key (16 feet wide) plus some side space. A width of 25-30 feet is often used for home courts.
So, a 30 foot by 25 foot area (750 square feet) can be a tight but usable half court. It allows for a shooting practice area. This might be the “smallest practical” for many home players.
Custom Half Court Design
You don’t have to follow strict rules for a home court. You can design a custom half court. This means you can change the size to fit your space. You can make it longer or wider. You can even make it an odd shape if your yard is odd.
When planning a custom court, think about:
* Your available space: Measure your yard carefully.
* Who will play: Kids or adults?
* How you will play: Just shooting? Or games with friends?
* Budget: Bigger courts cost more.
A good custom design will balance your needs with your space. You might decide to make a 47 foot long court, but only 40 feet wide if that’s all you have. Or you might make it 30 feet long but keep the 50 foot width if you have lots of side space. This flexibility is a big plus for home courts.
Figuring Out Half Court Space
Knowing how much space a half court takes up is crucial. This is especially true if you are building one. It helps with planning and costs.
Simple Area Math
The basketball court area calculation is very easy. It’s length times width.
* For example, if you have a half court that is 45 feet long and 40 feet wide:
* 45 feet x 40 feet = 1,800 square feet.
This simple math lets you figure out the area of any size half court you might consider. It helps you see how different sizes compare. It also helps you see how much space it will take up in your yard.
Here’s a table with common half court sizes and their areas:
| Court Type | Length (feet) | Width (feet) | Total Area (sq ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation (NBA/NCAA) | 47 | 50 | 2,350 | Standard, professional size |
| Common High School | 47 | 50 | 2,350 | Often same as regulation |
| Older High School (Half) | 42 | 50 | 2,100 | For full courts that are 84ft long |
| Large Home Court | 40 | 30 | 1,200 | Good for shooting, some play |
| Medium Home Court | 35 | 25 | 875 | More compact, good for casual shooting |
| Small Home Court (Shooting Pad) | 20 | 20 | 400 | Mostly for shooting near the hoop |
| Youth Half Court (Example) | 37 | 42 | 1,554 | For younger players |
What Shapes the Space?
The actual playing area is what we measure for square footage. But the lines on the court also define how the game is played. They shape the space for players.
- Free Throw Line: This line is 15 feet from the face of the backboard. It marks where players shoot foul shots.
- Key (or Paint) Area: This is the rectangular area under the basket. For a full court, it is 16 feet wide in the NBA and college. It extends 19 feet from the baseline to the free-throw line. On a half court, this area is fully present.
- Three-Point Arc: This curved line is where players shoot for three points. Its distance varies:
- NBA: 23 feet 9 inches from the hoop (at the top of the arc).
- NCAA (Men’s): 22 feet 1.75 inches.
- NCAA (Women’s) & High School: 19 feet 9 inches.
These lines help define the boundaries of play within the overall court footprint half court. While they don’t change the total square footage, they are important for setting up a functional court.
A Closer Look at Specific Dimensions
Let’s dive a bit deeper into the specific measurements. These measurements are key to understanding why a half court is the size it is.
The 47 Foot Half Court Dimensions
The standard 47 foot half court dimensions come directly from professional basketball. A full NBA court is 94 feet long. So, half of that is 47 feet. The width of 50 feet stays the same for both full and half courts. This makes the standard half court area 2,350 square feet.
This length of 47 feet is important. It provides enough space for all the key parts of one end of a basketball court. It includes the baseline, the key area, the free-throw line, and the three-point line. Players can dribble, pass, and shoot comfortably within this space. It’s a good balance of size for serious play without needing a full court.
Key Lines and Markings
Beyond the overall length and width, the lines painted on the court are vital. They tell players where to stand and how to play.
- Free Throw Line: This is 15 feet from the front of the backboard. This line is very important for foul shots. It’s a fixed point on every court.
- The Key (or Paint Area): This is the rectangle under the basket. It is 16 feet wide in the NBA and college. It runs 19 feet from the baseline (under the hoop) to the free-throw line. Players cannot stay in this area for more than three seconds while their team has the ball. This area needs to be drawn on your half court.
- Three-Point Line: This is the curved line from which a successful shot counts for three points. The distance of this line changes:
- NBA: 23 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket. In the corners, it is 22 feet from the basket.
- NCAA (Men’s): 22 feet 1.75 inches from the center of the basket.
- NCAA (Women’s) & High School: 19 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket.
If you are building a court, you need to decide which three-point line you want. This choice will affect the length of your court if you want the line to be complete. For example, if you want a full NBA three-point line, your court needs to be at least 24 feet long just to have the line, plus some extra space to shoot from behind it. This means the overall 47 foot half court dimensions are often needed to fit all these lines properly.
Things to Think About for Your Court
Building or using a half court involves more than just its square footage. There are practical things to consider. These points help ensure your court is safe, fun, and lasts a long time.
Extra Space Around the Court
The basketball court square footage you calculate is for the playing surface itself. But you need more space than that. Think about safety and movement. Players will run out of bounds. They might chase loose balls.
It is best to have at least 3 to 5 feet of clear space around the entire court. This means if your court is 47 feet by 50 feet, you might need a total area of about 53 feet by 56 feet. This extra space helps prevent injuries. It also makes the game more enjoyable. You don’t want players running into fences or walls. This additional area is part of the overall court footprint half court you need to plan for.
Cost and Materials
The size of your half court directly affects the cost. A larger court means more materials. It means more work to build.
* Smaller courts (e.g., 1,000 sq ft) are much cheaper. They use less concrete, asphalt, or tiles.
* Larger courts (e.g., 2,350 sq ft) will cost more.
Think about the surface material:
* Concrete: Durable but can be hard on joints.
* Asphalt: Good for outdoor courts, more flexible than concrete.
* Sport tiles: Softer, colorful, easy to install, but can be more costly.
* Pavement: A basic and common option.
The hoop also adds to the cost. A sturdy, adjustable hoop is a good investment. It should be able to handle many years of play.
Planning and Zoning
Before building a residential court, always check with your local government. You might need a permit. There might be rules about how close your court can be to property lines. There could also be rules about noise or lights.
These are called zoning laws. They are in place to keep neighborhoods safe and happy. It’s always best to ask your local city or county office first. This helps avoid problems later on. Not checking could lead to fines or having to remove your court.
In Summary: How Much Space?
A half court basketball court is a great way to enjoy the game. It is more practical for most spaces than a full court. The most common size for a regulation half court area is 2,350 square feet. This comes from its 47 foot half court dimensions and 50-foot width.
However, the exact basketball court square footage can change. It depends on whether you are talking about an NBA half court size, high school basketball court dimensions, or a custom residential basketball court area. For home courts, you can make it smaller to fit your space. A court that is 30 feet by 25 feet might be the smallest practical size for useful play.
Remember to factor in extra space around the court for safety. Also, think about the lines you want on the court, like the free-throw line and the three-point arc. These lines help define the playing space. When you are planning, always do your basketball court area calculation carefully. This helps you figure out the exact space needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the most common size for a home half court?
A: Many home half courts are smaller than official sizes. A common size might be 40 feet by 30 feet (1,200 square feet) or even 30 feet by 25 feet (750 square feet). These sizes offer good play without needing a huge yard.
Q: Does the three-point line affect the court’s square footage?
A: No, the three-point line does not change the total square footage of the court. The square footage is found by multiplying the court’s overall length by its width. The three-point line is just a marking within that defined area. However, if you want to include a full regulation three-point line, it might affect the minimum length you choose for your court.
Q: How much extra space do I need around a half court?
A: It is wise to have at least 3 to 5 feet of clear, safe space around the edges of the playing surface. This extra room allows players to run off the court safely and helps prevent injuries.
Q: Can I build a half court smaller than 47 feet long?
A: Yes, absolutely. For home use, you can build a half court to fit your space and needs. Many people build smaller courts, especially if they only want to practice shooting or play casual games. Just keep in mind that a smaller court might not fit a full regulation three-point line or key area.
Q: What are the dimensions of the key in a half court?
A: The key (or “paint” area) is a rectangle. For NBA and college courts, it is 16 feet wide. It extends 19 feet from the baseline (the line under the hoop) to the free-throw line. This size stays the same for a regulation half court.