What Is the Height of an Official Volleyball Net?

Although some volleyball basics are the same no matter where it's played or who's playing it, the height of the net varies according to the gender and age of the players.

  1. Men

    • In men's volleyball, the officially allowed net height is 7 feet, 11 5/8 inches and is the same for all court surfaces. The official measurement is taken at the middle of the net. The net height at the sidelines can be no more than 3/4 inches higher than the height in the middle.

    Women

    • For women's volleyball, the net should be 7 feet, 4 1/8 inches. Co-ed teams use the men's measurement.

    Age

    • According to USA Volleyball, in age-group play, women 45 and above may use a net 7 feet, 2 1/8 inches high. For women 60 and over, the height moves down to 7 feet.
      For men 55 and over, the height moves down to 7 feet, 5 1/8 inches, and moves down to 7 feet 6 inches for those 70 and over.
      All kids 13 and 14 play with a net height of 7 feet 4 1/8 inches, and ages 12 and under play at 7 feet or less.

    Modifications

    • Net heights are lowered to below 4 feet and may be modified for sitting volleyball. The World Organization Volleyball for Disabled lists other court modifications at its website.

    Considerations

    • On sand courts, measurements should be taken on sand that's raked level. On grass, the measurement should be taken from the ground, not the top of the grass.