NBA
The Official Playing Rules say all periods of regulation play are twelve minutes, and that overtime periods are five minutes. Fifteen minutes are permitted between halves.
Guides
Rules of Basketball
The playing rules below are the definitions in the published NBA, WNBA, and NCAA books. League formats and championships stay on How the leagues work.
The clock
WNBA
The 2026 Official Rules say all periods of regulation play are ten minutes, and that overtime periods are five minutes. WNBA.com’s FAQ says each quarter lasts 10 minutes.
NCAA
The men’s rules book says varsity playing time is two halves of 20 minutes, with a 15-minute halftime. Extra periods are five minutes each, with a one-minute intermission before each. The game ends when the score is not tied at the end of any extra period.
Scoring
The NBA and WNBA books use the same counts. A successful field goal from on or inside the three-point line is two points. A successful field goal from outside that line is three, if the shooter had at least one foot on the floor outside the line and was not touching the floor on or inside it before the attempt. A successful free throw is one point. A free throw is an unhindered try from behind the free-throw line, and it has to be released within 10 seconds.
The NCAA men’s book says a try for field goal is an attempt to score two or three points. A successful try from beyond the three-point line counts three. A successful free throw counts one point for the free-thrower’s team.
The shot clock
NBA and WNBA
Both books say the shot clock starts at 24 seconds unless that shot-clock rule provides otherwise. After gaining possession, a team has to attempt a field goal before the clock expires. The ball has to leave the shooter’s hand first, then contact the basket ring. WNBA.com’s FAQ says the WNBA shot clock is 24 seconds, the same as the NBA.
NCAA
The men’s rules book tells the operator to use a 30-second shot clock for the entire game, including extra periods, except when less time remains on the game clock than on the shot clock. In that case the shot clock is turned off.
The court
NBA
The Official Playing Rules say the free-throw line is 15 feet from the plane of the face of the backboard. The three-point area has parallel lines 3 feet from the sidelines and an arc of 23 feet 9 inches from the middle of the basket.
WNBA
The 2026 book also sets the free-throw line 15 feet from the face of the backboard. Its three-point area has parallel lines 36 inches from the sidelines and an arc of 22 feet 1¾ inches from the middle of the basket.
NCAA
The men’s rules book measures the court at 94 feet by 50 feet. The three-point field-goal line is 22 feet 1¾ inches from the center of the basket to the outside edge of the line.
Players and fouls
Five a side
The NBA and WNBA books say each team consists of five players. A player is disqualified on a sixth personal foul. No team may be reduced to fewer than five players.
NBA team fouls
The Official Playing Rules limit a team to four team fouls in a regulation period without extra penalties. Common fouls charged as team fouls after that are penalized by one free throw plus a penalty free throw. In overtime the first three common fouls in a period do not add that penalty.
NCAA disqualification
The men’s rules book says personal fouls count toward an individual’s five personal fouls for disqualification, and toward the team-foul total.
How the leagues work · History of Basketball
Sources
NBA Official: Rule No. 1, court dimensions
NBA Official: Rule No. 5, scoring and timing
NBA Official: Rule No. 7, shot clock