Standard Measurements in Basketball

Regulation Sizes- Official Measurements:

Court Size Overall:

• NBA and College – 94 feet long and 50 feet wide


• High School – 84 feet long and 50 feet wide


• Junior High – 74 feet long and 42 feet wide

The Foul Line:

For all courts the “foul line” distance is 15 feet from the foul line to the front of the backboard. This measurement is commonly confused as from the center of the basket and front of the rim.

The Key:

Standard for all basketball courts, “the key” (sometimes called “the lane”) is 12 feet wide. Regulation courts have the backboard extending out 4 feet over the baseline into the key. A 6 foot arc (half circle) extends from the foul line away from the basket to complete the key.

The 3 Point Line (Arc):

Womens College and High School Basketball Courts – the 3 point arc is 19 feet 9 inches.

NBA Basketball Courts – the 3 point arc is 22 feet to the center of the rim on the sides with a straight line extending out 16 feet 9 inches from the baseline. Past those points the line extends out 23 feet 9 inches from the center of the rim.

Mens College Basketball Courts – the 3 point arc is 20 feet 9 inches.

The Backboard and Rim:

The regulation distance from the ground to the top of the rim is 10 feet for all levels of play. Regulation backboards are 6 feet wide (72 inches) by 42 inches tall. All basketball rims (hoops) are 18 inches in diameter. The inner square on the backboard is 24 inches wide by 18 inches tall.

All line markings on the floor are 2 inches wide and can vary in color.

(National Collegiate A.A. Men’s Rules)
Playing court	College: 94 feet long by 50 feet wide (ideal dimensions). High School: 84 feet long by 50 feet wide (ideal dimensions).
Baskets	Rings 18 inches in inside diameter, with white cord 12-mesh nets, 15 to 18 inches in length. Each ring is made of metal, is not more than 5/8 of an inch in diameter, and is bright orange in color.
Height of basket	10 feet (upper edge).
Weight of ball	Not less than 20 ounces nor more than 22.
Circumference of ball	Not greater than 30 inches and not less than 29 1/2.
Free-throw line	15 feet from the face of the backboard, 2 inches wide.
Three-point field goal line	19 feet, 9 inches from the center of the basket. In the National Basketball Association, the distance is 22 feet.