Rim Height and Court Dimensions in the NBA
NBA court dimensions: rim height and basket diameter, court width and length, free-throw line and much else
Basketball is part of our lives: everyday we talk about the games played during the night, the news, the starting five and the fantasy basketball… and all these topics are addressed on a rectangular court.
But how big is a basketball court?
Some of you know all the measures or maybe you’re missing a few. This article will clear up any doubts about the official dimensions of the NBA basketball court.
Rim Height
The baskets are always 3,05 meters from the ground. The diameter is 45 centimeters.
The height of the rim is identical in every league or federation, such as NBA, FIBA, WNBA, NCAA and Olympic Games.
The baskets must have a pressure release mechanism, be made of solid steel rings, painted orange, and white cord nets.
Backboard dimesions
The backboard shall measure 1,80 m horizontally, 1,05 m vertically and 0,05 m in width.
The backboard shall be made of transparent materials and it be positioned at 1,20 m over the endline of the playing court, on an imaginary line drawn in the court.
The back of the backboard and its support are not part of the field. When the ball hits them, it is considered out.
NBA playing court measures
Basketball courts come in different sizes. In the NBA, the court is 28,65 by 15,24 m (94 by 50 feet, if we use American units).
Under FIBA or Olympic Games rules, the court is slightly smaller, measuring 28 by 15 m.
Main dimensions of NBA basketball court:
| Court lenght | 28.65 m |
| Court width | 15.24 m |
| 3-point line distance from the basket | 7.24 m |
| 3-point line distance from the basket in corner | 6.71 m |
| Free-throw line distance from point on the floor directly below the backboard | 4.57 m |
NBA ball size
In NBA games shall be used a size 7 ball. It has a circumference ranging between 74,8 and 78 cm and a weight between 567 and 650 g.
The official NBA ball is produced by Wilson.