Badminton courts are flat spaces divided by standing nets across the middle, where teams or individuals can play badminton games against each other, using rackets and shuttlecocks (birdies). In the game, players attempt to continue relaying the shuttlecock back across the net into the opponent's court using their rackets.

A doubles court is 6.1 meters wide by 13.4 meters long; a singles court has the same length and a width of 5.18 meters. The net should be 1.55 meters high at the ends when installed. The net may be taken down between games. Courts of other sizes can also be classified as badminton areas if they are explicitly set up for informal badminton contests.

The net separates opposing players or pairs, and the shuttlecock is struck with rackets. This equipment distinguishes badminton from volleyball, where players strike a ball without rackets. A net removed between games does not change a court explicitly equipped for badminton.