Basketball Court Dimensions Explained: NBA vs. FIBA
If you’ve ever wondered why a player like Luka Doncic or Victor Wembanyama seems to have more space to move in Europe than in the US, the answer is in the floorboards. While a basketball court might look the same at first glance, the actual dimensions change depending on where the game is played.
In this guide, we will break down the official sizes of an NBA court versus a FIBA court and explain the key measurements every fan should know.
1. Overall Court Size: How Big is the Floor?
The first thing to notice is that the NBA court is slightly larger than the international FIBA court.
- NBA Court Size: 94 feet long by 50 feet wide (approx. 28.65m x 15.24m).
- FIBA Court Size: 28 meters long by 15 meters wide (approx. 91.8ft x 49.2ft).
While the difference seems small, those extra few feet in the NBA provide more “spacing” for superstars to drive to the basket.
2. The 3-Point Line: The Distance Factor
This is the most talked-about measurement in basketball. Moving the 3-point line just a few inches can completely change a team’s shooting percentage.
- NBA 3-Point Distance: 23 feet 9 inches (7.24m) from the center of the rim. In the corners, the line is 22 feet (6.7m).
- FIBA 3-Point Distance: 6.75 meters (22.1ft). In the corners, it is 6.6 meters (21.6ft).
Why it matters: In the NBA, the “corner three” is much closer than the top of the arc, making it the most efficient shot in the game.
3. The “Key” (The Paint)
The painted area under the basket has evolved over time. In the old days, the FIBA key was a trapezoid shape, but now both the NBA and FIBA use a rectangular key.
- NBA Key: 16 feet wide.
- FIBA Key: 4.9 meters wide (approx. 16.07ft).
4. The Rim and Backboard: The Constants
No matter where you play in the world, some things never change. Whether you are in a high school gym or at the Madison Square Garden, the basket stays the same.
- Rim Height: Exactly 10 feet (3.05m) from the floor to the top of the rim.
- Rim Diameter: 18 inches.
- Free Throw Line: 15 feet (4.57m) from the front of the backboard.
NBA vs. FIBA Court Comparison Table
| Feature | NBA | FIBA |
| Length | 94 ft / 28.65 m | 91.8 ft / 28 m |
| Width | 50 ft / 15.24 m | 49.2 ft / 15 m |
| 3-Point Line | 23.75 ft / 7.24 m | 22.1 ft / 6.75 m |
| Rim Height | 10 ft / 3.05 m | 10 ft / 3.05 m |
See it in Action: Court Walkthrough
🏀 Expand Your Basketball Knowledge
The court dimensions set the stage, but the rules keep the players moving across those lines.
Read Next: What is the 8-Second Backcourt Rule? (Learn why you have to cross the midcourt line as fast as possible).