How Tall Is The Badminton Net?

In badminton, singles players or doubles teams stand on opposite sides of the net. Players win points by hitting shots that their opponents cannot return over the net before the shuttlecock hits the ground. This sport requires a higher net than many other racket sports. The Badminton World Federation, the governing body for the sport, provides rules regarding the net height that serve as a standard in international competition.

Net Height

The badminton net measures 5 feet high at the center, according to the Badminton World Federation's Laws of Badminton. As in many other net sports, the net measures slightly higher at the edges than at the center. The badminton net must measure 5 feet, 1 inch high at the sides, according to the Badminton World Federation.

Considerations

Singles and doubles badminton matches require nets of the same length and height, unlike in some other sports. In tennis, for example, singles and doubles matches require nets of different lengths. Male and female badminton players also play with nets of the same length and height, according to the Badminton World Federation.

Comparison

The badminton net is taller than the standard tennis net but not as tall as the standard volleyball net. Tennis nets measure only 3 feet high at the center, according to the United States Tennis Association. The volleyball net measures 7 feet, 11 5/8 inches high for international men's competition and 7 feet, 4 1/8 inches high for international women's competition, according to the rules of USA Volleyball and the International Federation of Volleyball.

Features

The badminton net must have an even black or dark colored mesh with white tape along the top, according to the Badminton World Federation. The white tape makes the net's height more clearly visible to players and rules officials. Vertical posts support the net at either side. These posts must measure 5 feet, 1 inch tall.

Net Rules

Players cannot reach over the net to hit the shuttlecock. Players cannot touch the net or the side posts with their racket or any part of their body. Players lose the point if they hit the shuttlecock into the net, under the net or through the net rather than over the net.