How Much Space Do You Need for a Trampoline? [Know it Before to Prevent a Big Mistake]

Imagine this – you just bought your new trampoline. You got home all excited, took it to your backyard, and started assembling the pieces. But as you are putting all the pieces together, you can’t help but get a sinking feeling in your gut.

“There is absolutely no way it will fit in my yard.”

Not measuring your backyard before buying a trampoline is the biggest mistake that a homeowner can make.

If you are thinking of buying a new trampoline, the first thing you should do is take a measuring tape and figure out how big your yard is. If you want it to be safe, it can eat up a big chunk of your yard space. It requires clearance to prevent major accidents if someone were to fall off of it.

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But how much space exactly is enough? If you have never used a trampoline before, naturally, you will not have a lot of ideas about it. Well, that is what I want to discuss today.

I will give you a clear guideline on how much space you need in your yard to set up a trampoline safely.

Why Do You Need Clearance Around the Trampoline?

Jumping on your trampoline in the backyard can be extremely fun. But only if you set it up properly with enough clearance around it. Without proper vertical and horizontal space around your trampoline, you are putting yourself at risk of accidents.

When you are bouncing on a trampoline, you need to ensure that you are not touching the ceiling at the peak of your jump. The last thing you want is to hit your head on the roof as you jump. And if you fall off the trampoline, you want to fall on soft grass instead of hitting the wall. That is why it is essential to have proper clearance around the trampoline.

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How Much Clearance Do You Need for A Trampoline?

Setting up your trampoline with a good level of clearance around it is essential to avoid nasty accidents. There are thousands of reports of people hitting the wall and breaking their arms because of their trampoline. But the truth is, all of these accidents could be avoided if there was enough space around the trampoline.

Even if you use a safety net, make sure there are at least 1.5 feet of distance between the trampoline and the nearest wall. As for vertical clearance, I prefer setting up my trampoline under an open sky. That way, I don’t have to worry about hitting my head on the ceiling.

Some people also use trampolines without installing a safety net, and I would strongly advise against it. But if you absolutely have to set it up without a net, make sure there are at least 8.2 feet of distance between the wall and the edge of your trampoline.

How Big of a Yard Do You Need for A Trampoline?

Getting a new trampoline is a big investment. It costs a lot, but it also takes up quite a bit of space in your yard. However, you do not need a huge backyard to set up your trampoline despite the common belief.

You are fine as long as the ground is flat and you are smart with how you set it up. And if you use a safety net around the trampoline, you do not need too much clearance around it anyways. Over the years, I have seen many creative ways to install a trampoline in a small backyard, such as installing it on the ground.

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Besides, if you are short on yard space, you can always go with a smaller 10 or 12 feet trampoline. Smaller models are perfect for kids and require less hassle to set up in most cases.

How Do I Measure My Yard for A Trampoline?

Taking a precise measurement of your yard is always a good idea before you invest in a trampoline. It can help you understand which size trampoline is right for your backyard. So, get out your tape measure and start noting down the length and width of your backyard.

Make sure you are measuring the space where you are planning to set up your trampoline. You do not need to measure the whole backyard if you want to set it up in just a corner. Also, make sure you jot down the values in yards and feet rather than centimeters and meters.

Once you measure the length and width of the space, you can multiply the values to get the area that you have available in your backyard. This will help you figure out the proper trampoline size that’s better suited for your home.

How Much Space Do You Need for A 15 Ft Trampoline?

Fifteen feet trampolines are quite big for a typical homeowner. But if you have two or more kids who want to jump on it at the same time, this is the perfect size. Usually, big rectangular trampolines are 15 ft or above.

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So, it will need a bit more space than a conventional 12 feet home trampoline.

If you have safety nets around your trampoline, you would need an 18 feet area in your backyard to set it up. On the other hand, your backyard should have at least 32 feet of free space to install a 15 feet trampoline without a safety net.

How Much Space Do I Need for A 14 Foot Trampoline?

The difference in space required for a 14 feet trampoline and a 15 feet trampoline is not much. So, I would not recommend going with a 14 feet trampoline unless you have a big backyard.

A 14 feet trampoline requires about 16.5 feet of free space to set it up with proper clearance if you are using a safety net. Without safety nets, you should not set it up in a backyard with less than 30 feet of free area.

How Much Space Do I Need for A 12ft Trampoline?

A 12 feet trampoline is considered the standard size for most homeowners. In fact, I have one sitting out back that my kids enjoy from time to time. Thankfully, it does not take up too much space, and if you have a moderate backyard, you should be able to set it up without too many issues.

To set up a 12 feet trampoline with a safety net around it, you need around a 15 feet area in your backyard. However, if you do not intend to use an enclosure, you might need as much as 28.4 feet to set it up without safety issues.

How Much Space Do You Need for A 10ft Trampoline?

If only one person plans on using it at a time, then you do not need anything bigger than a 10 feet trampoline. These trampolines are small and designed for tight backyards. So, if you have a small family and do not want to waste too much of your yard space, a 10 ft trampoline will serve you just fine.

The best thing about it is that with a safety net, a 10 feet trampoline takes a measly 13 feet of yard space. Without an enclosure, though, your yard needs at least 25 to 26.5 feet of free space. Otherwise, there will not be enough clearance for the trampoline to be considered safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whenever the subject of trampoline size and backyard space comes up, people ask a lot of questions. But I keep getting these two questions all the time. So, here you go.

1. How much space around Springfree Trampoline?

Springfree trampolines are all the rage these days among homeowners who want to buy a trampoline for their kids. It features a safer design with its frame hidden beneath the jumping surface. So, the risk of getting your fingers caught in the trampoline frame is practically non-existent.

If you are going with a Springfree trampoline instead of a traditional one, I would recommend having at least 5 feet of clearance around it. Though these trampolines come with a FlexNet safety net around them, it requires a bit more clearance than traditional models.

2. Can Neighbors complain about a trampoline?

Yes, there are many cases where a homeowner had to get rid of trampolines because of neighbor complaints. The main reason why neighbors complain about it is that they consider it an invasion of their privacy. And to some extent, I can understand the complaint.

However, if you are friendly with your neighbors and talk it over with them, I do not see why you cannot come to an understanding. If only kids were jumping on the trampoline, I am sure they wouldn’t mind too much about it.

With All Said and Done

Taking the proper measurements is always a good idea when you are buying a new trampoline. The last thing that you want is to come home with your new trampoline only to see that you do not have enough space to install it.

I have had this happen to me before, and I can honestly say that it does not feel good. Now that you know about the space requirements and clearance issues with different trampoline sizes, you should be pretty safe whenever you are buying a new trampoline. Cheers!