How far away are biathlon targets?
B · Beginner · Shooting and skiing · 4 of 6The targets are 50 metres from the firing line. A hit turns a black disc white. Prone shooters must hit a 45 mm circle and standing shooters a 115 mm circle. The right half of the range is for prone shooting and the left half for standing. Each shot is checked by three separate observers or methods.
How it works
- Distance: 50 m, give or take 1 m.
- Prone target: 45 mm scoring circle.
- Standing target: 115 mm scoring circle.
- Layout: prone on the right half, standing on the left, looking towards the targets.
- Lanes: numbered; in some races assigned by start number or arrival.
- Scoring: each shot watched by three independent persons or methods.
- Wrong target: hits on another lane's target do not count.
- Malfunction: the skier moves to another target; the jury may adjust the time.
The glossary has the shooting range, the target, the wind flags, the shooting lane selection, the target malfunction and the cross-fire.
Tricky cases
A target is set for prone when the skier is standing. Do the hits count?
Yes. Standing hits on a target wrongly set for prone may be scored.
Another skier shoots at my target. What happens?
Raise a hand; the other skier is stopped, the target is reset if needed and you finish your shots.
A skier fires on the next lane's target by mistake. Penalty?
Those hits do not count, and cross-firing brings a two-minute penalty.
Who pays for a target fault?
No one. The jury adjusts the time if the skier lost time through no fault of their own.
Why the rule exists
A fixed distance and fixed target sizes make every range the same test. Three checks on each shot make sure no hit or miss is wrongly counted.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prone | 45 mm circle | Annex A 3.2.1.8 |
| Standing | 115 mm circle | Annex A 3.2.1.8 |
| Electronic scoring | Two official observations | IBU 8.7.5 |
From the rule book
International Biathlon Union, Event and Competition Rules (version 2026), Articles 3.4.2, 8.7 and 11.3.3; Annex A 3.2. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IBU Event and Competition Rules, amended by the IBU Congress every two years.