Official basketball rules mandate the basket height at 10 feet (3.05 meters) from the playing surface to the top of the rim. This is a universal standard across all major governing bodies.
Key Points of Regulation Height
Precise Measurement: Height is measured vertically from the floor directly below the center of the basket to the top edge of the rim.
Rim Top Edge: The 10-foot measurement refers specifically to the point where a ball would rest if sitting on the rim. The rim's thickness is accounted for in this measurement.
Net Not Included: The measurement is to the rim itself, not including any part of the net hanging from it. Nets do not affect the official height.
Governing Bodies
This height is standard for:
- FIBA (International Basketball Federation)
- NBA (National Basketball Association)
- WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association)
- NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association - Men & Women)
- NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations - USA)
Variations for Younger Players
While the official regulation height is 10 feet, lower heights are often used for youth development:
- Ages 11-12: Typically 9 feet (2.75 meters)
- Ages 8-10: Typically 8 feet (2.44 meters)
- Ages 7 and under: Often 6 feet (1.83 meters)
Note: These youth heights are recommendations or modified rules, not official FIBA/NBA regulations for competition.
