Best Washer Toss Games by Format: One-Box, Three-Hole, and Pit
4 PICKS
1-BOX VS 3-HOLE
PORTABLE
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Washer toss is cornhole's quieter cousin, and in a lot of ways it is the better cookout game for a small yard. You toss weighted washers at a box or board with one or more holes, and a set takes up a fraction of the space cornhole needs. The thing nobody tells you when you are shopping is that there are really three different games hiding under the name washer toss, and they do not play the same. There is the simple one-box game, the three-hole board that adds bonus scoring, and the traditional in-ground pit setup. Pick the wrong format for your space and crowd and you will wish you had bought a different set.
So I sorted these by format, because that is the real decision. One-box sets are the most portable and the easiest to teach, which makes them great for tailgates and small patios. Three-hole boards add a layer of strategy with center and side holes worth different points, and they are the closest washer toss gets to cornhole's depth. The traditional pit version uses recessed cups in the ground or in a frame and is the most authentic to how the game started. Every set here comes with the washers you need, and I flagged the durability tradeoffs honestly, since a cheap board with thin washers is the fastest way to sour on a genuinely good game.
Three-hole boards (most depth)
Boards with a center hole and two side holes worth different points, the closest washer toss gets to cornhole strategy. The best all-around choice for a backyard.
The three-hole board is the version I recommend to most people, and Triumph's 2-in-1 is a compact way to get it. The three netted holes add real scoring strategy, so the game has more depth than a simple one-box set, and the 26 x 10 inch platforms have detachable legs and flip over for bean bag toss. It plays in a smaller footprint than cornhole, which makes it ideal for yards too short for the 27 foot cornhole spacing. The tradeoff is size: these boards are smaller than full-size three-hole sets, and the box includes six washers.
GoSports' Premium Birch Wood set is the step up for people who play often. It uses two birch cup-box targets with felt-lined boxes and center cups, and ships with eight coated steel washers, four red and four blue. It is a cup-box game, not a three-hole board, so it trades the top pick's hole strategy for the classic clunk of a washer in the cup. GoSports notes repeated washer hits can dent the wood, so expect some wear and store it dry.
When packability matters most, a one-cup set is the move, and the Washoos targets are built to travel. The two HDPE targets are light, weatherproof and nest together, and the simpler scoring means you can teach a new player in one round. The honest tradeoff is depth: a one-box game does not have the strategic layers of a three-hole board, so it can feel a little flat for a long session. But for a tailgate, a beach, or a tiny patio, the portability wins. A great grab-and-go set.
The cheapest way to find out if washer toss earns a spot in your rotation. You get the box and washers to play casual rounds, and on a flat patch it does the job for the price. The tradeoffs are the usual budget ones: the folding targets are lighter than a pricier set, and the six washers double as bottle openers rather than tournament washers, so heavy players will want to upgrade them eventually. As a low-risk first set, especially for a small space, it is a sensible starting point before committing to a nicer board.
Worth a second look for anyone who wants the more traditional in-frame cup feel rather than a flat hole board. A solid framed set gives you the recessed-target sound and feel that pit-style washer toss is known for, in a portable package you do not have to dig into the ground. It is more set than a casual one-box player needs and the price is higher, so this is the pick if you grew up on the pit version and want that satisfying clunk of a washer dropping into a cup.
If you would rather build your own pit but want a reference for the right hole spacing and washer size first, owning a quality three-hole board is the cheap way to copy the dimensions. Many people buy a good set, learn what feels right, then build a matching DIY version for a second location. The Triumph boards are compact, so treat them as a scoring and layout reference rather than full-size dimensions. Pair it with our build guide if you want to go the DIY route.
People like this one for…
Hole spacing worth copying at home
Three-hole scoring to test before you build
A playable model for second locations
COPY THE DIMENSIONS · LAYOUT REFERENCE · DIY FRIENDLY
What is the difference between one-box and three-hole washer toss?
A one-box set has a single target hole and the simplest scoring, which makes it the most portable and the easiest to teach. A three-hole board adds a center hole and two side holes worth different points, giving the game more strategic depth, closer to cornhole. For a casual tailgate, one box is plenty. For a backyard where you want a deeper game, the three-hole board is the better buy.
How far apart do you place washer toss boxes?
The common distance is around 10 to 20 feet between the two targets, with many players settling on the shorter end for casual games. That is much less than cornhole's 27 feet, which is exactly why washer toss works in a small yard. Set them at a distance where players land a reasonable share of throws, then adjust to taste. There is no single rule, so match it to your space and skill.
What size washers does washer toss use?
Most sets use heavy metal washers roughly 2.5 inches across, weighted enough to fly straight and drop into the hole. The exact size matters less than consistency, since you want all the washers in a set to match. If you build your own board, buy a quality set first and copy its washer size and hole spacing, since those dimensions are dialed in for good play.
Is washer toss better than cornhole for a small yard?
Often, yes. Washer toss plays at a much shorter distance than cornhole's 27 feet, and the boxes or boards take up less room, so it fits a patio or a short yard where cornhole would not. The three-hole version gives you cornhole-like scoring depth in that smaller footprint. If space is your main constraint, washer toss is the more practical pick.
Can I build my own washer toss board?
Yes, it is one of the more beginner-friendly backyard game builds. You need lumber for the box or board, a hole saw, and a set of matched metal washers. The easiest path is to buy a quality set first, measure its hole spacing and washer size, then copy those dimensions for a DIY version. Our build guide walks through the cut list and steps if you want to make your own.
Learn the games before you buy
Check the rules, playing space, and setup for the games in this guide.
