Soccer Goal Size

Regulation soccer goal size

The Laws of the Game (IFAB Law 1) set one standard soccer goal size for every 11v11 match, from the World Cup to a U13 league game. There is no separate size for women's soccer.

How wide is a soccer goal? 24 feet between the inside edges of the posts. How tall is a soccer goal? 8 feet from the ground to the lower edge of the crossbar. Because both numbers are measured on the inside, the frame itself is a little bigger than 8 yards by 8 feet.

Youth players move up to this full-size goal when they start playing 11v11 at U13; AYSO's rules list the same 8 × 24 ft goal.

Soccer goal size by age group

Younger players use smaller goals on smaller fields. These sizes come from US Soccer's small-sided standards (the Player Development Initiatives), and AYSO lists the same numbers:

Two things to know about this table:

• US Soccer lists maximum sizes. Its FAQ says the goal sizes for each age group are maximums, so a smaller goal is fine. For 4v4, 4 × 6 ft is the largest goal to use, and small pop-up goals are fine.
• The recommended size is smaller than the maximum for 7v7 and 9v9: 6.5 × 12 ft is recommended for U9–U10 (up to 6.5 × 18.5 ft), and 6.5 × 18.5 ft for U11–U12 (up to 7 × 21 ft).

Store listings may use feet and inches: 6.5 × 18.5 ft is 6'6" × 18'6", and 6.5 × 12 ft is 6'6" × 12'. Not sure which age group your child plays in? The youth soccer age groups guide works it out from the birth date and shows the matching format, ball and field.

Leagues can set their own goal sizes. If your league publishes one, use that.

Soccer goal sizes compared, to scale

In area, the difference is large. A full-size goal has 192 square feet of target, about 2.5 times the recommended 7v7 goal (78 sq ft) and 8 times a 4 × 6 ft goal (24 sq ft).

7v7 and 9v9 goals: which size to buy

The 6.5 × 18.5 ft goal is the most flexible size for a club. It is the maximum for 7v7 and the recommended size for 9v9, so one set of goals can serve U9 through U12. A club that wants the recommended size at every age needs 6.5 × 12 ft goals for U9–U10 as well.

Once the goals are up, see our 7v7 soccer formations and 9v9 formations for how to line up a team on these fields.

Laying out the whole field? See 7v7 and 9v9 soccer field dimensions. High school goals follow your state association; the high school soccer rules page covers how games are run.

Goal area and penalty area size

The boxes in front of the goal also scale with the format. These are US Soccer's recommended markings for 7v7 and 9v9, and the IFAB Law 1 markings for 11v11 (width × depth from the goal line):

For full field lengths and widths in feet, yards and meters, use the soccer field dimensions calculator.

Futsal and backyard goals

Futsal goals are much smaller than an 11v11 goal: 3 m wide and 2 m tall (about 9 ft 10 in × 6 ft 7 in), measured inside the posts and up to the bottom of the crossbar, under Law 1 of the Futsal Laws of the Game.

For a backyard, no rule applies, so pick by age. The 4 × 6 ft size used up to U8 fits most yards and young children, and a 6.5 × 12 ft goal matches what 9- and 10-year-olds play on. Anchor a backyard goal the same way as a club goal.

Portable vs fixed soccer goals

Fixed goals are set permanently into the ground. Portable goals stand on their own frame, so they can be moved or stored after practice, and one field can be set up for 4v4, 7v7 or 9v9 as needed.

When you buy a goal, check that the listed size is the opening: the Laws measure inside the posts and up to the bottom of the crossbar. Then match it to the age group table above.

Anchor every portable goal. A goal that isn't staked or weighted can tip over and cause serious injuries. Secure it as the manufacturer instructs, and never let anyone climb on or hang from the crossbar or net.

Building a team for a new season? Our guide to how many players are on a soccer team covers players on the field and roster sizes for each format.