How High Is a Badminton Net?

Badminton isn’t just a leisurely sport you play during lazy Sundays. It’s a highly competitive sport where players whack a shuttlecock at speeds of up to 306 miles per hour! But for the smash to count, the shuttlecock has to travel over the net and hit the opponent’s side of the court. So, how high up is the badminton net?

Based on the official rules, the badminton net should be mounted on posts 5 feet 1 inch off the ground. The center of the net should dip slightly, with the top resting precisely 5 feet high.

But the height of the badminton net isn’t the only thing you need to know if you want to set up your own court. In this guide, I’ll explain the basics of badminton nets, their precise measurements, and how to set up your own badminton net at home.

Basics of a Badminton Net

A badminton net consists of 2 main parts—the cords, the mesh, and the mounting posts.

The cord can be found along the top edge of the mesh net. Its primary job is to keep the net taut when mounted on the posts. The cord should be covered by a brightly colored strip of tape that covers roughly 3 inches of the top on both sides of the net. You’ll also find cords on the bottom left and right corners to keep the bottom of the net from swaying too much.

The mesh establishes a barrier between the 2 opposing sides of the court. It should be dark in contrast to the strip of tape that lines the top cord. When setting the net up, there shouldn’t be any gaps between the sides of the net and the mounting posts. The most commonly used material o make the net is nylon, but there are also polyester and vinyl nets for indoor use.

Lastly, the mounting posts should be placed on either side of the net. It should be made of a sturdy material that stands perpendicularly to the ground in order to prop up the net. The posts can be mounted into the ground and cemented in place or sit atop lockable wheels.

Badminton Net Height and How High It Is From Ground

A badminton net should measure precisely 20 feet wide and 2 feet 6 inches tall, and it should be mounted on the posts so that the top corners of the net are 5 feet 1 inch off the ground. After tensioning the top cord, the top center of the badminton net should be precisely 5 feet above the ground.

The following table will describe the measurements of a badminton net and its proper spacing for competitive gameplay.

Check out our guide on badminton net dimensions for greater details about regulated badminton nets.

How to Set Up a Badminton Net at Home

After finding a level area in your backyard that measures 20 feet wide and 44 feet long or close to it, it’s time to begin setting up the badminton net. Before we get started, you will need the following materials:

• Badminton net
• Stakes or poles (at least 5 ft 7 inches long)
• Hammer
• Shovel (optional)

Now, let’s get started.

Find the spots where you want to set up the badminton posts. Make sure they are spaced 20 feet apart.

Dig a narrow hole about 6 inches deep and place one of the stakes or poles in it. Place the dirt back into the hole to keep the stake upright. Repeat this step for the second pole. Alternatively, you can drive the stakes or poles into the ground by carefully hitting the top with a hammer until they stand 5 feet 1 inch out of the ground.

Set up the net by tying the top cord around the tops of both the poles. Keep the nets as taut as possible by tensioning the cords until the center of the top of the net is precisely 5 feet above the ground.

Tie the bottom cords of the net to the posts. Make sure the center of the bottom of the net is exactly 2 feet 6 inches above the ground.

After the badminton net is in place, you can begin marking the ground with paint or powdered chalk to set up both sides of the court.

Please note that the instructions above can be used to create a semi-professional badminton net at home. If you want to play for fun, all you really need is a cord tied between 2 trees or stakes and markings on the ground to denote where both sides of the court end.

Types of Badminton Nets

There are 3 types of badminton nets and posts to choose from—indoor, outdoor, and portable. Let’s take a look at them individually to see how they differ from each other.

Indoor

An indoor badminton court offers the benefit of keeping the elements out of the equation. That way, only the strength of the hit will determine where the shuttlecock travels, not wind or precipitation. An indoor net is permanently set up using a T-bar system.

Outdoor

Outdoor nets are typically made of heavy-duty, corrosion-proof materials. The poles must be dug deep into the ground to prevent them from moving around due to wind. You can remove the net from the poles whenever the weather isn’t badminton-friendly.

Portable

A portable badminton net can be used indoors or outdoors. The poles are usually made of metal, so they will keep the net stable as players whack the shuttlecock around. However, while they’re sturdy, it’s possible to move them around during play. The posts will come with large, weighted legs to maintain stability.