Olympic Pool vs. Padel Court
Comparing 2 standards across 18 specifications. 18 key differences identified.
Official competition swimming pools are regulated by World Aquatics (formerly FINA Swimming Facilities Rules). An Olympic-standard long-course pool measures exactly 50.020 m in length (50.00 m with touchpad timing plates installed), 25.0 m in width across 10 lanes (8 active lanes of 2.50 m with two 2.50 m outer wave-buffer lanes), and a uniform depth of 2.0–3.0 m. Water temperature is held strictly at 25.0–28.0 °C (77–82.4 °F).
Official padel courts are enclosed playing areas governed by the International Padel Federation (FIP Regulations Part 1). The court measures exactly 20.0 m (65.62 ft) in length by 10.0 m (32.81 ft) in width, enclosed by walls of 10–12 mm toughened glass and electro-welded wire mesh. The net measures 10 m in length, hanging 88 cm at center and 92 cm at the side posts.
Specification Comparison Table
18 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Pool Length (with Touchpads)
|
50.00 m (164.04 ft exact between touchpads) | — |
|
Pool Width
|
25.00 m (82.02 ft) | — |
|
Total Lane Count
|
10 Lanes (Lanes 1–8 racing, Lanes 0 and 9 wave buffers) | — |
|
Individual Lane Width
|
2.50 m (8.20 ft per lane) | — |
|
Standard Competition Depth
|
2.00–3.00 m (6.56–9.84 ft uniform depth) | — |
|
Total Water Volume
|
2,500,000–3,750,000 liters (~660,000–990,000 US gallons) | — |
|
Water Temperature Regulation
|
25.0–28.0 °C (77.0–82.4 °F strictly enforced) | — |
|
Touchpad Thickness
|
10.0 mm (0.39 in per electronic sensor board) | — |
|
Starting Block Height
|
0.50–0.75 m above the water surface with 10° tilt | — |
|
Court Length (Inside Enclosure)
|
— | 20.00 m (65.62 ft inner playing area) |
|
Court Width (Inside Enclosure)
|
— | 10.00 m (32.81 ft inner playing area) |
|
Back Wall Height (Glass)
|
— | 3.00–4.00 m (3 m glass topped with 1 m wire mesh = 4 m total) |
|
Side Wall Glass Height
|
— | 3.00 m stepping down or stepped glass/mesh design |
|
Net Height at Center
|
— | 0.88 m (88.0 cm with center strap) |
|
Net Height at Posts
|
— | 0.92 m (92.0 cm maximum at posts) |
|
Service Line Distance
|
— | 3.00 m from back glass wall (6.95 m from net) |
|
Clear Ceiling Height (Indoor)
|
— | 6.00–8.00 m minimum overhead clearance |
|
Glass Specification
|
— | 10–12 mm Toughened Monolithic or Laminated Safety Glass EN 12150-1 |