How big is a football pitch, and what do the lines mean?
Officials' detail · The pitch, the goal, the ball and the kit · 1 of 4Football pitches are not all the same size. The touchline can be 90 to 120 metres and the goal line 45 to 90 metres; for international matches, 100 to 110 by 64 to 75. The markings inside are fixed: the penalty area is 16.5 metres deep, the goal area 5.5 metres and the penalty mark 11 metres from goal.
How it works
| Marking | Size | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Touchlines and goal lines | 90–120 m by 45–90 m (internationals 100–110 by 64–75) | The edges; the lines are part of the areas they bound |
| Halfway line and centre circle | Circle of 9.15 m radius | Kick-off; opponents stay outside the circle |
| Penalty area | 16.5 m from each post and 16.5 m into the field | Where the goalkeeper may handle; a defender's direct free kick offence here is a penalty |
| Goal area | 5.5 m from each post and 5.5 m into the field | Goal kicks are taken from inside it |
| Penalty mark | 11 m from the middle of the goal | Penalty kicks |
| Penalty arc | 9.15 m from the penalty mark | Keeps players 9.15 m away at a penalty |
| Corner area | Quarter-circle of 1 m radius | Corner kicks |
| Corner flagposts | At least 1.5 m high | Compulsory at each corner |
| Technical area | 1 m either side of the bench, up to 1 m from the touchline | Where coaches and substitutes stay |
- Lines are no more than 12 cm wide. The goal line is as wide as the posts.
- The surface is natural grass, or artificial or hybrid where the competition allows. Artificial surfaces must be green.
- A player who makes unauthorised marks on the pitch is cautioned.
Tricky cases
Are all professional pitches the same size?
No. The Laws give a range, and competitions choose within it.
Why is it called the six-yard box and the 18-yard box?
The distances were set in yards: 6 yards is 5.5 metres and 18 yards is 16.5 metres.
Is a foul on the penalty area line a penalty?
Yes. The lines belong to the areas they mark.
Why the rule exists
Allowing a range of sizes lets football be played on grounds of different shapes, while the fixed markings near goal keep the key distances the same everywhere.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All football under the Laws | As above | L1 |
| International matches | Narrower range of sizes | L1.4 |
| Youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football | The size of the field can be changed | L Notes |
From the rule book
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 1, in force from 1 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: IFAB Laws of the Game (PDF).