Football Field Size: Quick Facts and Easy Guides

Ever wondered how big a football field really is? Whether you’re setting up a backyard game, planning a community pitch, or just curious about the numbers, the answer is simple: it depends on which football you mean. Soccer (often called football outside the US) follows FIFA rules, while American football has its own rulebook. Below we break down the key dimensions, give you handy conversion charts, and share a few pro tips for marking your field.

Soccer (FIFA) Field Dimensions

FIFA sets a range rather than a single size. For official international matches, the field must be between 100-110 meters long (about 110-120 yards) and 64-75 meters wide (70-80 yards). Most top‑level stadiums settle on 105 m × 68 m because it balances player space and spectator sightlines.

If you’re building a community pitch, you can go smaller. Youth fields often use 70 m × 45 m, while 7‑a‑side games shrink to roughly 50 m × 30 m. The goal area, penalty box, and center circle all have fixed sizes regardless of the overall field – the penalty spot is always 11 meters from the goal line, and the goal itself is 7.32 m wide and 2.44 m high.

American Football Field Size

American football is more rigid. The playing field is 120 yards long – that’s 100 yards of game area plus two 10‑yard end zones. Width is a flat 53 ⅓ yards (about 48.8 m). Each yard line is marked every 5 feet, and the field is divided into 10‑yard sections called “yard lines.”

The goalposts sit at the back of each end zone, 18 ½ feet apart for NFL, slightly wider for college. If you’re laying out a field in a park, remember the extra 10‑yard buffer on each side for safety and sideline equipment; many schools add a few extra meters for benches and runoff.

Both codes also have specific markings for kickoff spots, hash marks, and midfield logos. In the US, the hash marks are 70 feet from each sideline in the NFL, but only 30 feet apart in college and high school.

Now that you know the numbers, here are three quick tips for getting it right the first time:

• Measure twice, mark once. Use a laser measure or a long tape to get accurate lengths before painting lines.
• Use the right paint. For outdoor grass fields, a durable, non‑slip turf paint works best. For synthetic surfaces, many manufacturers recommend a specific line‑marking kit.
• Consider drainage. A slight slope (about 1–2%) helps water run off the field, preventing puddles that distort the playing surface.

Whether you’re a coach, a planner, or just a fan who loves the details, knowing the exact field size helps you set up a safe, regulation‑compliant pitch. Grab a measuring wheel, follow the numbers above, and you’ll have a field that feels just right for the game.