NBA Basketball Court Rules

The NBA's rulebook defines the dimensions, meanings and functions of every marking on a professional basketball court. These rules are necessary to ensure that each NBA team is held to the same standards. The following dimensions are those written in the NBA rulebook on NBA.com as of 2010.

  1. Dimensions

    • The optimal length of a professional basketball court is 94 feet. Between both boundary lines, several markings must be made to indicate halfcourt, free throw areas and the 3-point arc.

      Halfcourt is exactly in the middle — 47 feet from each boundary line. At halfcourt there is a larger circle with an outside radius of 6 feet. A smaller circle with a radius of 2 feet is drawn inside of it, marking where the jump ball occurs.

      Free throw lanes must be marked at both ends of the court. From the boundary line to the top of the free throw circle is 19 feet. The free throw box is 12 feet wide. The arc around each free throw box is the 3-point field goal area. For NBA standards, the "[3-point] field goal area has parallel lines 3 [feet] from the sidelines, extending from the baseline and an arc of [23 feet, nine inches] from the middle of the basket which intersects the parallel lines." The color of the lane space marks and neutral zones must contrast with the color of the boundary lines.

    Equipment

    • Both baskets must be identical and meet the following measurement requirements. Each backboard must be rectangular, measuring 6 feet horizontally and 3 1/2 feet vertically. The surface of the backboard must be transparent and flat and is typically made of glass. Each backboard must have a white rectangle marked at the exact center behind the ring of the hoop. This white rectangle must measure 24 inches horizontally and 18 inches vertically. The ring of the hoop must be made of NBA-approved metal, painted orange and be 18 inches in diameter. The net must be white cord, no less than 15 inches and no more than 18 inches in length. The ball must be between 7 1/2 and 8 1/2 pounds in pressure.

    Violations

    • It's important for NBA players to understand the court and its complex markings to avoid penalties and violations. For example, when shooting a free throw, the player must stand at the free throw line, which lies in the center of the free throw circle. No player is allowed to touch him or the ball until it has touched the rim. Boundary lines signal when a player has gone out-of-bounds, forcing him to turn the ball over to the opposing team. If a player shoots from behind the 3-point arc, his basket will count for three points rather than two. All NBA courts must meet these guidelines to ensure equal play for all teams and matches.