Have you ever stepped onto a basketball court, laced up your sneakers, and wondered: “If I keep running laps, how many will it take to make a mile?” You’re not alone. Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and even casual players often ask this question when looking for a convenient way to measure distance during workouts.
The answer, however, isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Not all basketball courts are the same size. High school courts differ from NBA courts, and outdoor courts may not match either. That’s why understanding the dimensions is key to calculating how many laps equal one mile.
In this article, you’ll learn:
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The exact number of laps for NBA, college, and high school courts.
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How to calculate laps based on any court size.
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Tips for turning basketball court laps into a fun cardio workout.
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FAQs that answer what most people search on Google.
By the end, you’ll know precisely how to use a basketball court as your personal running track—and how to make it effective for your fitness goals.
Answer Box
How many laps around a basketball court is a mile?
On a standard NBA or college basketball court (94 feet long by 50 feet wide), one lap around the perimeter is about 288 feet. Since one mile equals 5,280 feet, it takes approximately 18–19 laps to complete a mile. On a high school court (84×50 feet), one lap is about 268 feet, meaning you’d need roughly 20 laps to reach a mile.
Basketball Court Dimensions
Before we calculate laps, let’s break down the official court sizes recognized in different leagues.
Standard Basketball Court Dimensions
| Level of Play | Court Length | Court Width | Perimeter Distance | Laps per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA/College | 94 ft | 50 ft | ~288 ft | ~18–19 laps |
| High School | 84 ft | 50 ft | ~268 ft | ~20 laps |
| Junior/Youth Courts | 74 ft | 42 ft | ~232 ft | ~23 laps |
Key Insight: The smaller the court, the more laps you’ll need to reach a mile.
Step-by-Step Calculation
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Perimeter Formula:
Perimeter = 2 × (Length + Width). -
NBA/College Court:
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Length = 94 ft, Width = 50 ft.
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Perimeter = 2 × (94 + 50) = 288 ft.
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5,280 ÷ 288 ≈ 18.33 laps.
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High School Court:
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Length = 84 ft, Width = 50 ft.
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Perimeter = 2 × (84 + 50) = 268 ft.
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5,280 ÷ 268 ≈ 19.7 laps (≈20).
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Youth Court:
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Length = 74 ft, Width = 42 ft.
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Perimeter = 2 × (74 + 42) = 232 ft.
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5,280 ÷ 232 ≈ 22.7 laps (≈23).
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✅ Quick Takeaway: The number of laps depends entirely on the court size.
Why Runners Choose Basketball Courts for Mileage
Basketball courts aren’t just for hoops, they’re also a great place for cardio. Here’s why:
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Convenience: Indoor courts allow running regardless of weather.
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Safety: Smooth surfaces reduce injury risk compared to uneven terrain.
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Accessibility: Courts are often available at schools, gyms, and parks.
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Multifunctional: Combine sprints, dribbling drills, and laps for a full workout.
Pros & Cons of Running Laps Around a Court
Pros
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Easy to measure distance.
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No need for expensive equipment.
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Great for interval training.
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Accessible in most communities.
Cons
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Can feel repetitive.
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Short turns may strain ankles/knees.
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Requires accurate lap counting.
People Also Ask.
How many miles is 10 laps around a basketball court?
On an NBA court, 10 laps equal about 2,880 feet, which is 0.55 miles.
Is running on a basketball court good cardio?
Yes. Court laps provide an effective cardiovascular workout, similar to track running, especially when combined with sprints and agility drills.
How long does it take to run a mile on a basketball court?
For the average person running an 8–10 minute mile pace, it would take about 18–20 laps or roughly 8–12 minutes depending on fitness level.
Can you lose weight running laps around a basketball court?
Yes. Consistent running, paired with a healthy diet, burns calories and aids in fat loss. A mile can burn 100–150 calories depending on body weight and speed.
Turning Court Laps into a Training Program
Want to make your workout more engaging? Here are some ideas:
Interval Training on a Court
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Sprint one sideline, jog the baseline.
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Alternate between full laps and shuttle runs.
Endurance Building
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Run 18–20 laps nonstop to simulate a mile.
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Track your lap time each session for improvement.
Basketball-Specific Conditioning
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Combine dribbling with running laps.
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Practice defensive slides along the sidelines.
Key Takeaways.
Quick Recap:
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NBA/College court (94×50 ft): ~18–19 laps per mile.
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High School court (84×50 ft): ~20 laps per mile.
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Youth court (74×42 ft): ~23 laps per mile.
Running laps on a basketball court is an effective way to measure mileage, improve cardio, and enhance conditioning, even if it requires more turns than a standard track.
F.A.Q’s
1. How many laps around a basketball court is 2 miles?
On an NBA court, about 36–38 laps. On a high school court, about 40 laps.
2. Which is better: running on a basketball court or track?
Tracks are gentler on joints due to longer curves, but courts are great for quick, accessible workouts.
3. How many calories do you burn running a mile on a basketball court?
Most people burn between 100–150 calories per mile, depending on speed and body weight.
4. Can you use half-court laps for mileage?
Yes, but you’ll need to calculate accordingly. A half-court perimeter is about half the distance, so it takes double the laps to complete a mile.
5. Is dribbling while running laps effective exercise?
Absolutely. It combines cardio with ball-handling skills, making it a great basketball-specific drill.
6. How long is a basketball court compared to a running track?
An NBA court is 94 ft long, while one lap around a standard outdoor track is 1,312 ft (400m), about 4.5 times longer.
7. Do professional players run miles on basketball courts?
Not usually. Pros focus on sprints, shuttle runs, and agility drills rather than straight mileage.
8. Can kids use basketball courts for running practice?
Yes. Youth courts are smaller, but still safe and effective for fitness routines.
9. How many steps are in a mile on a basketball court?
The average adult takes about 2,000 steps per mile, whether indoors or outdoors.
10. What’s the best way to track laps?
Use a fitness tracker, tally counter, or phone app to avoid losing count.
Conclusion
Running laps around a basketball court is a simple yet effective way to stay fit. Whether you’re a basketball player building stamina, a runner looking for variety, or just someone exercising indoors, knowing how many laps equal a mile helps you measure progress accurately.
Final Tip: On average, it takes 18–20 laps around a standard basketball court to make a mile. Next time you step on the court, challenge yourself to complete a full mile and track your pace to see how you improve over time.
So, grab your sneakers, hit the court, and start racking up those laps. Your mile is waiting.
