Basketball Court Lines (2024)

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Any basketball court has various lines marking different parts of the basketball court, and each line has its own specific role in the way a basketball game is played. Read on to learn about the lines on a basketball court and what each line means.

• What Are the Lines on a Basketball Court?
• The Baselines (End Lines)
• The Sidelines
• The Boundary Lines
• The Free Throw Line (Foul Line)
• The Lane Lines (Paint or Key)
• The Midcourt Line (Half-Court Line)
• The Three-Point Line (Three-Point Arc)
• The Restricted Area
• The Hash Marks
• FAQ

What Are the Lines on a Basketball Court?

It's important to learn the lines on a basketball court to understand the game. Every line on the court has a purpose. Here are all of the lines on a basketball court:

• Baselines (End Lines)
• Sidelines
• Boundary Lines
• Free Throw Line (Foul Line)
• Lane Lines (Paint or Key)
• Midcourt Line (Half-court Line)
• Three-Point Line (Three-Point Arc)
• Restricted Area
• Hash Marks

The Baselines (End Lines)

The baselines, also known as end lines, are located at the ends of the court.The baselines denote inbounds and out-of-bounds on each side of the court. If the ball goes out of bounds across the baseline, players will stand behind the baseline and to the side of the backboard to inbound the ball. Depending on who you talk to, you may hear someone call these lines either the baselines or end lines.Baselines are 50 feet long.

The Sidelines

On the sides of the court are the sidelines.Like the baselines, the sidelines mark the boundaries between inbounds and out of bounds. If a player steps on these lines or crosses them, he is out of bounds. Behind the sidelines are where the benches and scorer’s table are usually located, home to the head coach, players, officials, and media. The sidelines are 94 feet long.

The Boundary Lines

The sidelines and baselines make up the perimeter of a basketball court.Together, they form the boundary lines dividing the court between inbounds and out-of-bounds. If the ball or a player in possession of the ball touches any boundary line, they will be called out of bounds, and the ball will be given to the opposing team. The boundary lines measure 94 feet (sidelines) by 50 feet (baselines).

The Free Throw Line (Foul Line)

The free throw line, also called the foul line, is used by players during free throws.A free throw is taken when a player is fouled while in the shooting motion, after a technical or flagrant foul, or when a team is in the bonus. If awarded a free throw, a player will stand behind the foul line and shoot an uncontested shot that is worth one point.

A foul on a two-point shot that doesn’t go in awards two free throws, and a foul on a three-point shot that doesn’t go in is worth three points. The free throw line is further away from the basket in the NBA and college basketball compared to high school basketball. Free throw lines are 12 feet in length. They are 15 feet from the backboard and 19 feet from the baseline in the NBA.

The Lane Lines (Paint or Key)

The lane lines are two lines that perpendicularly attach to the baselines and free throw lines.The rectangular area created by the free throw line and two lane lines is usually painted and referred to as either the “key” or the “paint.” The lane lines are 19 feet long in the NBA.

Offensive players are not allowed to stay within this area for more than three seconds, or they will be called for a violation. However, a defensive three-second violation is only assessed at the professional level since NCAA and high school basketball permits defenders to stay in the paint for any length of time.

The Midcourt Line (Half-Court Line)

The midcourt line is located in the middle of the court and divides it equally into two pieces. It is also known as the half-court line. The midcourt line is used to equally divide the court and to call backcourt violations,which happen when a team with possession crosses mid-court and brings the ball back into their side of the court without the other team touching it. A backcourt violation will not be called if the defense deflects the ball into the other side of the court.The midcourt line is the same length as the baseline, which is 50 feet.

The Three-Point Line (Three-Point Arc)

The three-point line, or three-point arc, surrounds each team's basket. It is used to determine how many points a field goal is worth. A team will earn two points if the shot is taken on or inside the three-point line and goes into the basket. If a shot is taken outside the three-point line and goes into the basket, a team will earn three points.If any part of a player's shoe is touching the line prior to releasing the ball, it will count as two points rather than three.

It is important to note that the distance between the three-point line and the basket varies depending on what level of basketball is being played. The NBA three-point line is the furthest away, followed by FIBA, the WNBA, and college basketball.The high school three-point line is the closest.

The radius of the three-point line at each level of basketball is as follows:

• NBA: 23 feet, 9 inches
• FIBA, WNBA, and College: 22 feet, 2 inches
• High School: 19 feet, 9 inches

The Restricted Area

The restricted area (also known as the restricted zone or restricted arc) is a semicircle located under the basket with a four-foot radius in the NBA.In college basketball, the restricted area is slightly smaller and has a radius of three feet.High school and lower levels of basketball don’t have a restricted area marked on the court.

In this area, offensive charging fouls are not called.A defender inside the restricted area is not considered a legal guarding position and cannot draw a charging foul from their opponent. This means that even if a charge occurred,a defender inside the restricted area would be called for a blocking foul because they are within the restricted area and made contact with a driving opponent.

The Hash Marks

The hash marks are small lines connected to the lane lines. They run in rows towards the basket on either side of the free throw line. These lines denote where the non-shooting players should stand during a free throw. Only three players on each side of the painted area are permitted to stand within the hash marks during free throws.

Players are not allowed to encroach inside of the hash marks, as this could interfere with the player taking the free throw. If the defensive players move out of their spots before the free throw leaves the players hands, the player shooting the free throw gets to redo the shot if they miss. If an offensive player enters early, it is a violation, and the free throw does not count if it goes in. There are also two sets of hash marks on each sideline, which mark the area where coaches and players can stand in relation to the scorer’s table.

FAQ

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Pages Related to Basketball Court Lines

• Basketball Free Throws
• Basketball Court Boundary Lines
• Basketball Field Goals
• Basketball Clocks And Time
• Basketball Court Components
• Basketball Dribbling

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