Tennis court guide

Can you play pickleball on a tennis court?

Yes. A pickleball court is much smaller than a tennis court, so a single tennis court can fit two to four pickleball courts. All you need is a portable net (or a lowered tennis net) and some temporary lines.

What you need

Portable pickleball net. Pickleball nets sit at 34 inches in the center versus 36 for tennis, so a portable net is the clean solution.
Temporary lines. Painter's tape, chalk, or rubber line markers all work; avoid anything that leaves residue.
Paddles and balls. Outdoor pickleballs handle hard courts and wind better.
Permission. Some facilities prohibit taping lines, so check posted rules first.

The layout

For a single pickleball court, center it on the tennis court with the pickleball net where the tennis net stands. Mark the 44 ft × 20 ft outline, the non-volley zone (the 'kitchen') 7 ft on each side of the net, and a centerline splitting each service area. Using the tennis net instead of a portable one? Drop the center strap to get as close to 34 inches as you can. It will sit slightly high, but it's playable.

Pickleball court: 44 ft × 20 ft
Tennis court: 78 ft × 36 ft (doubles)
Pickleball net height: 34 in center, 36 in posts
Tennis net height: 36 in center, 42 in posts
Courts per tennis court: Up to 4 (2 is comfortable)

Will it damage the court or annoy people?

Pickleball doesn't damage hard courts; paddles and plastic balls are gentler than tennis gear. The friction is social. At busy public courts, taping lines during peak tennis hours is a fast way to make enemies. Use off-peak times, remove your tape when done, and yield if players with reservations show up. A growing number of facilities now paint permanent pickleball lines, so check whether a dual-lined court exists near you before bringing tape.

The short version

One tennis court equals up to four pickleball courts, a portable net, and some tape. Just mind the facility rules and the people waiting. And if you came here as a tennis player worried about the pickleball takeover, the best defense is keeping courts busy with actual tennis.