Official Cornhole Board Dimensions and Hole Placement Guide
People ask me this more than any other rule question, so here is the short, correct answer. A regulation cornhole board is 2 feet wide by 4 feet long, which is 24 inches by 48 inches. The hole is 6 inches across, centered side to side, with its center 9 inches down from the top edge. That same hole center sits 12 inches up from the back edge, since 9 plus 12 plus the 6 inch hole equals the 48 inch length. Hit those numbers and your boards play like the ones at a sanctioned tournament.
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People ask me this more than any other rule question, so here is the short, correct answer. A regulation cornhole board is 2 feet wide by 4 feet long, which is 24 inches by 48 inches. The hole is 6 inches across, centered side to side, with its center 9 inches down from the top edge. That same hole center sits 12 inches up from the back edge, since 9 plus 12 plus the 6 inch hole equals the 48 inch length. Hit those numbers and your boards play like the ones at a sanctioned tournament.
The other half people forget is the spacing. Two boards face each other 27 feet apart, measured front edge to front edge, and the back of each board rests about 12 inches off the ground for the standard angle. Below I break every measurement down so you can build to spec, buy with confidence, or settle an argument in the backyard.
The board itself
The deck is a 2 foot by 4 foot rectangle, so 24 inches wide and 48 inches long. That is the surface a bag lands on, and it is the number that matters most. Recreational and tournament boards use the same footprint, so a regulation set always means a 2x4 deck. Anything smaller is a travel or tabletop board, which is fun but not regulation.
Height is the next spec. With the legs down, the back edge of the board sits 12 inches off the ground and the front edge a few inches up, giving the gentle ramp that lets a bag slide and settle. Most folding sets land the front around 3 to 4 inches high, which produces the standard playing angle you feel at any league night.
| Measurement | Spec | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Board width | 2 ft (24 in) | Same on every regulation set |
| Board length | 4 ft (48 in) | Defines the 2x4 footprint |
| Hole diameter | 6 in | A bag passes cleanly through |
| Hole from top edge | 9 in (to center) | The number people measure wrong |
| Hole from back edge | 12 in (to center) | 9 + 6 + 12 = 48 in board |
| Back height off ground | 12 in | Sets the playing angle |
| Front-to-front spacing | 27 ft | The pitch distance between boards |
The hole placement, exactly
The hole is a 6 inch circle, which means a 3 inch radius. Find center side to side first, so 12 inches in from either long edge on the 24 inch width. Then come down 9 inches from the top edge to mark the hole center. That puts the center of the hole 9 inches from the front top edge and 12 inches from the back edge, because the hole eats 6 of the 48 inches and the 9 and 12 sit on either side of it.
If you are building, mark both decks the same way so the holes line up across the set. The most common mistake is measuring 9 inches to the near rim of the hole instead of to its center. Measure to the center point, then draw the circle out 3 inches in every direction from there.
Court spacing and setup
For an adult game, the two boards face each other 27 feet apart, measured from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the other. The boards are angled so the holes face one another, with players pitching from beside one board toward the far one. The pitching line, called the foul line, runs along the front edge of the near board, so your front foot cannot pass the front of the board on the throw.
Shorter distances exist for younger or casual players. A common kids and family setup drops the boards to around 12 to 15 feet front to front so the game stays fun and makeable. The boards themselves do not change size, only the gap between them. When in doubt, set adults at 27 feet and slide the boards closer for the little ones.
Regulation versus travel and tabletop
If a set lists 2x3 foot boards, a 1x2 footprint, or folds down to a tabletop, it is a travel or junior set, not regulation. Those are great for camping, RVs, and small patios, and the hole is still 6 inches, but the shorter deck and shorter pitch make them a different game. Tournaments and leagues require the full 2x4 board.
When you shop, the phrase to look for is regulation size or 2x4 foot. Resin and all-weather boards meet regulation just like wood does, as long as the deck is a true 2 feet by 4 feet with a 6 inch hole placed 9 inches from the top. The material changes how a bag slides, not whether the board is legal.
Boards that already meet regulation
If you would rather not measure and cut, these sets arrive as a true 2 foot by 4 foot regulation board with the 6 inch hole in the right spot. They are the ones I point people to. For a wider gear breakdown by surface, weather, and tier, see the full boards guide.
GoSports regulation 2x4 cornhole set
Vetted by the commissioner and ready to play out of the box.
Slick Woody's ACL pro boards
Vetted by the commissioner and ready to play out of the box.
AmazonBasics budget regulation set
Vetted by the commissioner and ready to play out of the box.
Official Cornhole Board Dimensions and Hole Placement Guide FAQ
What size is a regulation cornhole board?
A regulation cornhole board is 2 feet wide by 4 feet long, which is 24 inches by 48 inches. The hole is 6 inches across, centered side to side, with its center 9 inches down from the top edge. Those are the official dimensions used in sanctioned play.
Where is the hole on a regulation cornhole board?
The 6 inch hole is centered left to right, so 12 inches in from each long edge, and its center sits 9 inches down from the top edge. That also places the hole center 12 inches up from the back edge. Always measure 9 inches to the center of the hole, not to its rim.
How far apart should cornhole boards be?
Regulation spacing is 27 feet apart, measured front edge to front edge, for adult play. The front edge of the near board is the foul line you pitch from. For kids or casual games, you can slide the boards closer, often to about 12 to 15 feet, without changing the boards themselves.
How tall is a regulation cornhole board?
With the legs folded down, the back edge of the board sits 12 inches off the ground and the front edge rests a few inches up, usually around 3 to 4 inches. That difference creates the gentle slope that lets a bag slide and settle toward the hole.
Is a 2x3 board regulation size?
No. A 2x3 foot board is a travel or junior set, not regulation. Regulation requires the full 2 foot by 4 foot deck. The smaller boards still have a 6 inch hole and are fun for camping or tight spaces, but tournaments and leagues use the 2x4 size.