Quick answer
A regulation half court is 47 feet long and 50 feet wide for the NBA and college, and 42 feet long and 50 feet wide for high school. Backyard half courts are usually smaller, often about 30 × 30 ft.
Half court basketball size by level
| Court | Size | Area |
|---|---|---|
| NBA, WNBA and college half court | 47 × 50 ft | 2,350 sq ft |
| High school half court | 42 × 50 ft | 2,100 sq ft |
| FIBA half court | 14 × 15 m (about 45.9 × 49.2 ft) | 210 sq m |
| Common backyard half court | 30 × 30 ft to 35 × 30 ft | 900 to 1,050 sq ft |
A half court is half the length of a full court at the same width, measured from the baseline to the half-court line.
How much space does a 3-point line need?
This is usually what decides the size of a home court. These figures cover the lines only, so add room to run behind and beside them.
| 3-point line | Depth from baseline | Width |
|---|---|---|
| High school (19 ft 9 in) | 25 ft | 39.5 ft |
| College (22 ft 1.75 in) | About 27.4 ft | About 43.3 ft |
| NBA (23 ft 9 in) | 29 ft | 44 ft |
The width is the biggest limit. A 30 ft wide court holds the full lane and free-throw circle, but it cuts off the sides of even a high school arc.
Half court dimensions for a backyard
If you have the room, a court 40 ft wide and 30 ft deep fits a full high school 3-point arc with a little space behind it. Planning one? Use our backyard court cost calculator.
Half court basketball diagram
Download a blank half court diagram, or the full set of labeled sheets.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a half court in basketball?
47 × 50 ft for the NBA and college, and 42 × 50 ft for high school. Backyard half courts are often around 30 × 30 ft.
How many square feet is a half court?
2,350 square feet for the NBA and college, and 2,100 square feet for high school.
How much space do I need for a half court with a 3-point line?
At least 25 ft deep and 39.5 ft wide for a high school line, and 29 ft deep and 44 ft wide for an NBA line, plus room to run around them.