Basketball Court Line Marking: Dimensions, Cost & Standards Australia

FIBA Basketball Court Dimensions

All basketball court line marking in Australia follows the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) standard. Whether you are marking a school court, a local club facility or a competition-grade indoor stadium, the dimensions are the same.

Full Court Dimensions

A standard FIBA full court measures:

• Length: 28 metres
• Width: 15 metres
• Three-point arc: 6.75 metres from the centre of the basket
• Key (paint/restricted area): 4.9 metres wide × 5.8 metres deep
• Free-throw line: 5.8 metres from the backboard
• Centre circle: 3.6 metres diameter
• Line width: 50 mm for all court lines
• Backboard position: 1.2 metres inside the baseline

The court boundary lines are drawn inside the playing area — the outer edge of the line defines the court limit.

Half Court Dimensions

Half courts, popular for school yards and residential installations, measure 14 metres × 15 metres. They include a single key, three-point arc and a half-court line that doubles as the baseline for informal play.

3x3 Court Dimensions

The growing popularity of FIBA 3x3 basketball means more facilities are adding dedicated 3x3 courts. The standard 3x3 court is 15 metres wide × 11 metres deep, using one basket with a single key and three-point arc.

Line Widths and Colours

All basketball court lines must be 50 mm wide and in a colour that contrasts clearly with the court surface. White is the standard for outdoor courts. On multi-sport surfaces where other sports share the same area, basketball lines may use a designated colour (blue, red or green) to distinguish them from tennis court lines or netball courts.

Materials for Basketball Court Line Marking

The material depends on the court surface and expected use.

Sports Acrylic Paint

The most common material for sports court line marking on hard courts (concrete or acrylic-coated surfaces). Sports acrylic is formulated for UV resistance, flexibility and adhesion to textured surfaces. It typically lasts 3–5 years outdoors before requiring a refresh.

Thermoplastic

Preformed thermoplastic lines and symbols are heat-applied to the surface and provide exceptional durability — up to 6–8 years on outdoor courts. They are more expensive upfront but offer excellent long-term value for high-use facilities.

Multi-Sport Overlays

For shared courts (basketball, netball, tennis, volleyball), a colour-coded overlay system allows multiple sports to co-exist on one surface. Each sport is assigned a specific colour, and the lines are applied in a planned sequence to maintain clarity. This requires careful planning to avoid visual clutter.

The Measurement Process

Accurate measurement is the difference between a professional court and one that causes disputes during competition. Our crews use laser distance measures and steel tape to set out every point before any paint is applied.

The process follows this sequence:

1. Locate the basket centres — all measurements radiate from these two points.
2. Set the baselines and sidelines — checked for square using the 3-4-5 triangle method over multiple diagonals.
3. Mark the keys — 4.9 m wide, 5.8 m deep from the backboard face.
4. Strike the three-point arcs — using a pivot point at the basket centre and a 6.75 m radius arm.
5. Mark the centre circle — 3.6 m diameter at the exact midpoint of the court.
6. Snap chalk lines — all straight lines are snapped with a chalk line for accuracy.
7. Apply paint — using a line marking machine set to 50 mm width.

Real Project: Thomastown School Court — The 340 mm Error

In 2023, we were called to a school in Thomastown to re-mark a basketball court that had been painted by a general handyman the previous summer. The school had started receiving complaints from visiting teams that the three-point line felt too close to the basket.

When we measured the court, the three-point arc was 340 mm short — 6.41 metres instead of the correct 6.75 metres. The handyman had measured from the backboard rather than the centre of the basket, and had not accounted for the 1.2-metre offset. The key was also 200 mm too narrow.

We stripped the incorrect lines and re-marked the entire court to FIBA specifications. The total cost was around 40% more than if it had been done correctly the first time. This is a common scenario and the reason we always recommend using a specialist sports court line marking contractor rather than a general painter.

Basketball Court Line Marking Costs

Indicative pricing for 2026:

• Full court (28 × 15 m) — sports acrylic: $1,800 – $3,500
• Full court — thermoplastic: $3,500 – $6,000
• Half court — sports acrylic: $900 – $2,000
• Multi-sport overlay (3 sports): $3,000 – $7,000
• Line removal and re-mark: add 30–50% to base cost

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the exact dimensions of a basketball court in Australia?

Australian courts follow FIBA dimensions: 28 m × 15 m for full court, with a 6.75 m three-point arc, 4.9 m wide key and 3.6 m centre circle. All lines are 50 mm wide.

How long does basketball court line marking take?

A single full court takes one day to measure, mark and paint. Multi-sport courts or courts requiring line removal first may take 2–3 days. Thermoplastic application is faster than acrylic painting once layout is complete.

What type of paint is best for outdoor basketball courts?

Sports acrylic paint is the standard for outdoor hard courts. It is UV-resistant, flexible enough to handle thermal expansion, and provides good adhesion to textured surfaces. For higher durability, thermoplastic is the premium option. See our paint comparison guide for details.

Can you mark a basketball court on a cracked surface?

Minor hairline cracks are acceptable, but significant cracking should be repaired before marking. Cracks wider than 3 mm will telegraph through the paint and cause premature failure. We can advise on surface repairs during the quoting process.

How much does school basketball court marking cost?

A single school basketball court typically costs $1,800–$3,500 for sports acrylic on an existing hard court surface. Schools often combine basketball with netball and other sports in a multi-sport overlay, which ranges from $3,000–$7,000.

Does the court need to be FIBA certified?

For local competition and school use, FIBA certification is not required — but the dimensions should still follow FIBA standards. FIBA certification is only mandatory for international and top-tier national competitions and involves a formal inspection process.

Need a basketball court marked to FIBA standards? Upload your court dimensions or site photos and we will provide a quote within 48 hours.