Dimensions of a volleyball court: all the lines and zones
A volleyball court is 18 by 9 meters — almost everyone knows that. But why is that three-meter line there, where may you serve, and does the line belong to the court or not? Every line on the court has direct consequences for the rules. This is the complete floor plan.
The playing court: 18 by 9 meters
The playing court is a rectangle 18 meters long and 9 meters wide, split by the center line under the net into two halves of 9 by 9 meters. All lines are 5 centimeters wide and — importantly — the lines are part of the court. A ball that touches the end line or sideline is therefore "in". That one fact settles dozens of sideline arguments every season.
The three-meter line (attack line)
On each half, 3 meters from the center line, lies the attack line, popularly called the three-meter line. It divides the half into a front zone (between the center line and the three-meter line) and a back court. The line does not exist for decoration: it determines what back-row players may do. A back-row player may only attack above net height if they take off behind the three-meter line — the line itself belongs to the front zone, so standing on it counts as in front of it. The full rules are in may a back-row player attack?
The service zone
The serve is played from behind the end line, in the service zone: the full 9-meter width behind the end line. So you no longer have to serve from the right corner — any position behind the end line is allowed. The server may only touch the end line or enter the court after striking the ball; a jump server may therefore land in the court, as long as the takeoff was behind the line.
The free zone and the free height
Around the court there should be an obstacle-free zone of at least 3 meters (for international matches 5 meters beside the sidelines and 6.5 meters behind the end lines). A ball may be played in the free zone — a defender may retrieve a ball far outside the court, as long as, when played back, the ball returns over the free zone (partly) around the antenna according to the rules. Above the court the space should be at least 7 meters free of obstacles; internationally that is 12.5 meters. A ball that hits the ceiling above your own half may be played on as long as the team-touch budget allows; if it hits the ceiling above the opponent's half, it is a fault — though in gyms with low ceilings local arrangements often apply.
Net, antennas and posts
The net is 1 meter high and about 9.5 to 10 meters long, tensioned between posts standing 0.5 to 1 meter outside the sidelines. Above the sidelines the antennas are attached: flexible rods of 1.80 meters that stick out 80 centimeters above the net. They mark the passage space — a ball that touches the antenna or passes outside it is out. The net height differs per category: see all net heights.
The six positions on the court
Within their own half the six players are arranged according to position numbers 1 through 6: three front-row players in the front zone, three back-row players behind them. Which number belongs where and how the rotation runs is in position numbers 1 to 6. In an app like Koach you see that same layout on the digital lineup card, so everyone knows where they start before the match.
Smaller courts: youth and mini volleyball
In CMV mini volleyball the game is played on reduced courts, ranging from about 6 by 4.5 meters to 6 by 6 meters, often marked out with tape inside an existing court — the details are in the mini-volleyball rules. From the C youth onward the full 18-by-9 court is used.
Did you know: the center line belongs to both playing halves. You may therefore touch the line or even the other side with your foot, as long as part of the foot stays on or above the center line and you do not obstruct anyone. Sliding completely under the net is a fault.
Using the measurements in your training
Whoever knows the court dimensions can play with them as a coach. The three-meter line is a natural target for serving and passing drills ("every pass must be played in front of the line"), the six-meter line — picture the line at six meters, even though it is not drawn — helps defenders find their starting position, and the 9-meter court width divided by three gives the classic zone breakdown you use to name serving targets. If you deliberately make the court smaller with tape in youth training, the number of successful rallies rises immediately — the full court is simply too big for beginning players to cover.
All the rules that build on these lines and zones are in the complete overview: all volleyball rules in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Is a ball on the line in or out?
In. The lines are 5 centimeters wide and belong to the playing court, so a ball that so much as touches the line is in. That applies to both the end line and the sidelines.
How big is a volleyball court including run-off space?
The playing court is 18 by 9 meters, with a free zone of at least 3 meters all around. For a match hall you therefore count on at least about 24 by 15 meters, and considerably more internationally.
What is the three-meter line for?
The attack line, 3 meters from the net, separates the front zone from the back court and determines what back-row players may do: they must take off behind this line if they want to attack the ball above net height.
May you serve from any position behind the end line?
Yes, the service zone spans the full 9-meter width behind the end line. You may not touch the line before ball contact when serving, but immediately after you may step into the court or land in it.
