What Is the Legal Height of a Basketball Goal?

All basketball hoops created for regulation basketball play, including indoor and outdoor hoops, are erected 10 feet from the basketball court surface to the top of the rim.

  1. Fun Fact

    • The original ball used for basketball was a soccer ball in 1891. The game was invented by James Naismith in Springfield, Mass.

    Exceptions

    • Though leagues will use 10-foot-high rims, there are adjustable basketball poles for recreational use. These recreational nets can be lowered to allow children to reach the basket easier.

    Considerations

    • Though the basketball rim stays at 10 feet, basketball court dimensions vary in high school, college and professional basketball leagues. For example, the NBA and NCAA courts measure 94 feet by 50 feet. High school basketball courts are 84 feet by 50 feet, and junior high school courts are 72 feet by 50 feet.