Baseball Diamond vs. Basketball Court
Comparing 2 standards across 20 specifications. 20 key differences identified.
Official baseball diamonds are regulated by Major League Baseball (MLB Official Baseball Rules Rule 2.01). The infield is a 90 × 90 ft (27.43 × 27.43 m) square rotated 45 degrees. The pitcher's rubber is located exactly 60 ft 6 in (18.44 m) from the back tip of home plate on a mound raised 10 in (25.4 cm). Regulation outfield fences typically range from 325–350 ft at the foul poles to 400+ ft in center field.
Official basketball courts are standardized by the NBA (94 × 50 ft / 28.65 × 15.24 m) and FIBA (28.0 × 15.0 m / 91.86 × 49.21 ft). Across all governing bodies, the basketball rim is mounted strictly at 10 ft (3.048 m) above the court with an 18 in (45.7 cm) diameter. The 3-point line measures 23.75 ft (7.24 m) in the NBA and 6.75 m (22.15 ft) under FIBA rules.
Specification Comparison Table
20 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Base Path Distance
|
27.43 m (90.0 ft between consecutive bases) | — |
|
Pitching Distance
|
18.44 m (60.0 ft 6.0 in from home plate apex to rubber) | — |
|
Pitcher's Mound Height
|
25.4 cm (10.0 in above home plate level) | — |
|
Pitcher's Mound Diameter
|
5.49 m (18.0 ft circular circle) | — |
|
Pitcher's Rubber Plate
|
61.0 × 15.2 cm (24.0 × 6.0 in white rubber) | — |
|
Home Plate Geometry
|
5-Sided 17-Inch Pentagon (17" front, 8.5" sides, 12" apex) Standard | — |
|
MLB Base Size (Enlarged 2023)
|
45.72 × 45.72 cm (18.0 × 18.0 in square foam-filled canvas) | — |
|
Home to 2nd Base Diagonal
|
38.79 m (127.0 ft 3.375 in) | — |
|
Recommended Minimum Foul Pole Distance
|
97.54 m (320.0 ft minimum along foul lines) | — |
|
Recommended Minimum Center Field Distance
|
121.92 m (400.0 ft minimum) | — |
|
NBA Court Dimensions
|
— | 28.65 × 15.24 m (94.0 × 50.0 ft) |
|
FIBA Court Dimensions
|
— | 28.00 × 15.00 m (91.86 × 49.21 ft) |
|
Rim Height (Floor to Rim Top)
|
— | 3.048 m (10.0 ft / 120.0 in universal) |
|
Rim Inner Diameter
|
— | 45.7 cm (18.0 in solid steel with net hooks) |
|
Backboard Dimensions
|
— | 1.80 × 1.05 m (72.0 × 42.0 in transparent tempered glass) |
|
Free Throw Line Distance
|
— | 4.57 m (15.0 ft from backboard plane / 19 ft from baseline) |
|
NBA 3-Point Arc Radius
|
— | 7.24 m (23.75 ft top of key / 22.0 ft at corners) |
|
FIBA 3-Point Arc Radius
|
— | 6.75 m (22.15 ft top of key / 6.60 m at corners) |
|
Key / Paint Width
|
— | 4.88 m (16.0 ft NBA / 4.90 m FIBA rectangular key) |
|
Center Circle Diameter
|
— | 3.66 m (12.0 ft outer diameter) |