Basketball court diagram labelled: lines, markings and positions

Basketball court diagram labelled: lines, markings and positions

Ciku Njuguna
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:26 PM

All around the world, basketball arenas set the stage for an electrifying game of hoops among friends and local or international teams. Every playing arena is specially designed to regulate the game with lines and markings guiding positioning. Dig in to learn more about the labelled basketball court diagram.

What are the labels of basketball court?
The general view of the Chesapeake Energy Arena before Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the NBA Playoffs in April 2013 in Oklahoma. Photo by Christian Petersen.
Source: Getty Images

Would you like to find out what the parts of a basketball court are called? Dimensions and markings allow for the accurate placement of players. This article will give a detailed description of a labelled basketball court.

What are the dimensions and labels of a basketball court?

Amateur arenas vary in size across the board. However, professional WNBA and NBA standards require measurements of 94 feet x 50 feet (28.65 metres x 15.24 metres).

What are the parts of a basketball court diagram called?

Any labelled basketball court diagram typically indicates features such as a basket, backboard, restricted area, center circle, three-point, mid, base, side, and free-throw line. In addition, indoor and outdoor floor material is an essential feature specified by the basketball associations.

What positions are on a basketball court?
An overall view of the Chase Center arena before a game between the LA Clippers and the Golden State Warriors in October 2019 in San Francisco, California. Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE.
Source: Getty Images

What are the markings on a basketball court?

Markings extend from different ends, separating various parts of the court, such as the midline that marks the centre. Additionally, the markings inform players on the role of various areas, such as the free-throw markers or the three-point mark that indicate the locations where players can score.

What is the layout of basketball?
An aerial view of a basketball court near Boca Juniors stadium in March 2020 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo by Stringer.
Source: Getty Images

What is a hash mark?

The hash mark is a short marking created 3 feet from the free-throw lane and extended 6 inches onto the court. It determines ball placement and aligns players during a free throw.

Where are the lines on a basketball court?

There are various lines created to mark the arena and create boundaries. Boundary lines include the base (endline) and sidelines. Others denote areas such as the free-throw circle, centre circle, midcourt, free-throw, and three-point regions.

What are the official dimensions for an NBA basketball court?

The standard NBA arena measures 94 feet long by 50 feet wide (28.6 m by 15.24 m). According to the NBA rulebook, rule number one specifies arena dimensions and equipment. Here is a summary of the official NBA basketball court dimensions and specifications.

What is the measurement and labels of a basketball court?
Have a look at this detailed diagram of an NBA basketball court with measurements and descriptions. Photo by NBA.
Source: Original
  1. The arena requires a free-throw lane at each end with boundary markings for the lane. The lane space markings should be 2 by 6 inches.
  2. A free-throw line 2 inches wide should be drawn across the circles, parallel to the end, and 15 feet from the face of the backboard.
  3. The three-point field goal area should have parallel lines 3 feet from the side and an arc of 23 feet and 9 inches.
  4. Four hash marks 2 inches wide should be drawn perpendicular to each side and 28 feet from the base. The hash marks extend 3 feet.
  5. Two hash marks 2 inches wide should be drawn perpendicular to the base on each side of the free-throw lane. The hash marks are 3 feet from the free-throw lanes and extend 6 inches.
  6. Four hash marks 2 inches wide should be drawn parallel to the base on all sides of the free-throw circle. The hash marks should be 13 feet from the base, 3 feet from the free-throw lanes, and 6 inches long.
  7. Two hash marks (2 inches wide) designating the Substitution Box shall be drawn perpendicular to the side, 4 feet from the midline on each side and in front of the scorer's table.
  8. A half-circle of 4 feet from the center of the basket ring shall be marked with a solid two-inch line to designate a restricted area.

What are the dimensions of a WNBA basketball court?

Several similarities exist between a WNBA and an NBA arena, such as the dimensions. In both leagues, teams battle on a 28.65 by 15.24 meters wide court. Here are additional specifications according to the official WNBA 2022 rulebook.

What are the labels of basketball court?
Here is a labeled diagram of a WNBA basketball court with accurate specifications on markings and lanes. Photo by WNBA.
Source: Original
  1. The free-throw lane should be marked at each end.
  2. All boundary lines are part of the lane area. However, lane space and neutral zone marks are not. The lane space markings should be 2 inches by 8 inches, and the neutral zone marks should be 12 inches by 8 inches.
  3. The free-throw line should be 2 inches wide and drawn across each circle. It is parallel to the end and 15 feet from the face of the backboard.
  4. The three-point field goal area should be marked with parallel lines 36 inches from the side, 93 and 1/3 inches from the base, and an arc of 22 feet and one and three-quarter inches from the middle of the basket.
  5. Two hash marks 2 inches wide shall be drawn perpendicular to each side and 28 feet from each base. All hash marks should extend 3 feet into the arena.
  6. One hash mark 2 inches wide should be drawn perpendicular to the base on each side of the free-throw lanes. All hash marks should be 3 feet from the free-throw lanes and extend 6 inches onto the arena.
  7. Four hash marks (2 inches wide) should be marked parallel to the base on each side of the free-throw circle. These hash marks shall be 13 feet from the base and 3 feet wide from the free-throw lanes, and 6 inches long.
  8. The Substitution Box area will be designated with two hash marks 2 inches wide drawn perpendicular to the sideline, 4 feet on each side of the midcourt line.
  9. The restricted area should be marked with half a circle 4 feet from the center of the basket ring and parallel to the face of the backboard with a two-inch line.

What are the dimensions of a FIBA basketball court?

What is the size of a FIBA basketball court? Compared to the NBA and WNBA, FIBA dimensions are slightly smaller, measuring 28 meters long by 15 meters wide with 1.5-meter boundaries. Other specifications are shown in the simple labelled FIBA basketball court diagram below.

What are the labels of basketball court?
The diagram highlights the parts and dimensions of a FIBA basketball court. Photo by FIBA.
Source: Original

What are the 5 positions for players on the court?

There are five positions in basketball, the centre, point guard, power forward, small forward, and shooting guard. According to the NBA, diagrams of a basketball court with positions should show the positions in specific areas of the playing arena.

Centres

Play near the basket

Power forwards

Play near the basket

Small forwards

Roam all around the court

Point guards

Control the backcourt

Shooting guards

Move around the court, freeing themselves for scoring opportunities

Basketball arena dimensions, hoop height, and markings allow players and coaches to design and carry out plays. Although labelled basketball court diagrams show slight differences, the principles, such as the players' positions and scoring systems that guide the game, remain the same.

READ ALSO: What does a power forward do? Explaining the role of a power forward in basketball

Sportsbrief recently published an article detailing the role of a power forward in basketball. In rebounding, shooting, offence, and defence, the job of a power forward is crucial for the successful execution of plays.

Click on the link above to understand what ultimate power forwards in the NBA and WNBA, such as Tim Duncan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nneka Ogwumike, and Tina Charles, do.

Authors
Ciku Njuguna photo
Ciku Njuguna
Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with 3 year’s experience in content creation based in Kenya. She currently covers sports personnel as well as team biographies.