Handball court size and line marking
A handball court is 40 m (131′ 2¾″) by 20 m (65′ 7⅜″); with its run-off it needs 44 m (144′ 4¼″) by 22 m (72′ 2⅛″).
- Playing area40 m × 20 m
- With run-off44 m × 22 m
- Surface968 m²
- Played onIndoors on sports floors; outdoors on hard courts.
Handball court drawing, every line measured
Goal areas at 6 m, dashed free-throw lines at 9 m, the 7 m line, the 4 m goalkeeper line and the substitution marks on one sideline.
- Playing area
- 40 m × 20 m
- With run-off
- 44 m × 22 m (2 m behind each end line, 1 m at each side)
- Surface to build
- 968 m², court and run-off together
- Square check
- Both diagonals of the court must read 44.721 m. If they differ, the court is out of square.
- Played on
- Indoors on sports floors; outdoors on hard courts.
- Lines
- 5 cm; 8 cm on the goal line between the posts. Lines are part of the areas they mark out.
- Goals
- Goals 3 m wide and 2 m high, inside measurement.
- Free-throw line
- Dashes 0.15 m long with 0.15 m gaps.
- Substitution lines
- 4.50 m from the centre line, crossing the sideline.
- Goal frame
- Posts and crossbar 0.08 m square, painted in two contrasting colours. Fixed to the floor or the wall behind.
Fence around the court
- Fence run
- 132 m
- Mesh area
- 402 m²
There is no rulebook height for this court, so pick what your site needs: higher where balls fly towards a road, windows or neighbours. The run is measured round the edge of the run-off; gates are left out.
How to mark a handball court
- Fix one end line. Stretch a string line 20 m long between two pins.
- Square the corner with 3-4-5. 3 m along the end line, 4 m out along the side; when the gap reads exactly 5 m, the corner is square. Run the side line out to 40 m.
- Check both diagonals. Each must read 44.721 m. If they differ, move the corners before marking any line.
- Mark the inner lines.
- Goal-area line: 6 m from the goal.
- Centre line: halfway, 20 m from each goal line.
- Free-throw line (dashed): 9 m from the goal.
- 7 m line: 1 m long, for penalty throws.
- Substitution line: 4.50 m from the centre line.
- Mark to the right edge. Measured to the outside of the boundary line. The line is part of the court, so a ball on the line is in. Mask both sides of every line with tape before painting.
Marking it yourself? Send a photo of your set-out on WhatsApp and we will help you check it before the paint goes on.
Questions people ask
What is the size of a handball court in feet and metres?
A handball court is 40 m (131′ 2¾″) long and 20 m (65′ 7⅜″) wide.
How much space is needed for a handball court?
With the run-off around it, the surface is 44 m (144′ 4¼″) by 22 m (72′ 2⅛″): about 968 m² (10,419 sq ft).
What are the goals measurements for handball?
Goals 3 m wide and 2 m high, inside measurement.
How do I check that a handball court is marked square?
Measure both diagonals from corner to corner. On a handball court each should read 44.721 m (146′ 8⅝″); if the two differ, the corners need moving.
Which edge of the line is the handball court measured to?
Measured to the outside of the boundary line. The line is part of the court, so a ball on the line is in.
Start here
Want this court built?
Send the location and a few photos of the site. We will reply with the right Acrlay court for it and a written quote.