Volleyball Rules for Net Height

The height of a volleyball net will vary depending on your gender, age, format or environment. Whether the matches are played indoors or outdoors, competitive men play with one standard net height and women with another. Co-ed matches generally play with the net set at the standard height for men's play. The official rules allow the net to be lowered for older adults and youth.

  1. Men vs. Women Nets

    • According to the Federation International of Volleyball (FIVB) rules, the standard height of the net for men is 7 feet 11 5/8 inches. The net is slightly lower for women, with a height of 7 feet 4 1/8 inches. This official height is measured in the center from the top of the net to the playing surface. The ends of the net must be equal in height and are not allowed to be more than 3/4 inch higher than the center.

    Net Heights by Age

    • For women who are ages 45 and older, the net is set to a height of 7 feet 2 1/8 inches. For men ages 70 and older, the net is lowered to a height of 7 feet 6 inches, and for men between the ages of 55 and 69 it is set at 7 feet 9 5/8 inches.

    Net Heights for Youth

    • The FIVB rules state the net for girls between the ages of 13 and 18 be set at a height of 7 feet 4 1/8 inches, for girls ages 11 and 12 the net is set at 7 feet and for girls ages 10 and under, the net is set at 6 feet 6 inches. Boys who are between the ages of 15 and 18 play with a net set at 7 feet 11 5/8 inches. The net is set at 7 feet 4 1/8 inches for boys ages 13 and 14 and it is lowered to 7 feet for boys 12 and under.

    Beach Volleyball

    • According to the USA Volleyball rules, the standard height of the net for beach volleyball matches is the same as for indoor volleyball with 7 feet 11 5/8 inches for men and 7 feet 4 1/8 inches for women. There are net height variations for youth; the nets are set at 6 feet 6 3/4 inches for girls and boys ages 12 and under, 6 feet 11 1/2 inches for ages 14 and under and 7 feet 4 1/8 for ages 16 and under. On sand, this measurement is taken from the top of the net to the sand once it has been raked level.