Field Hockey Field Dimensions: The Complete Pitch Guide
A regulation field hockey pitch is 91.4 by 55 metres (100 by 60 yards). Here's a full breakdown of the pitch size, shooting circle, 23-metre lines, goals, and penalty marks, in both metric and yards, with a printable diagram.
A regulation field hockey pitch measures 91.4 metres long by 55 metres wide (100 yards by 60 yards), with goals 3.66 metres (12 feet) wide and 2.14 metres (7 feet) high, and a shooting circle that arcs 14.63 metres (16 yards) out from each goal. Here are the key measurements in both metric and imperial:
| Element | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Field length (backline to backline) | 91.40 m | 100 yd |
| Field width (sideline to sideline) | 55.00 m | 60 yd |
| 23-metre line (from each backline) | 22.90 m | ~25 yd |
| Shooting circle radius (the "D") | 14.63 m | 16 yd |
| Penalty spot (from goal line) | 6.40 m | ~7 yd |
| Penalty corner marks (from goalpost) | 5 m & 10 m | ~5.5 & 11 yd |
| Goal width | 3.66 m | 12 ft |
| Goal height | 2.14 m | 7 ft |
Getting field hockey field dimensions right matters whether you're a coach marking lines before the season, an athletic director setting up a pitch, or a parent trying to make sense of the markings from the sideline. Field hockey uses a fixed pitch size, so unlike soccer there's only one regulation field to learn.
What makes the field hockey pitch unique is the shooting circle, the D-shaped area in front of each goal. Goals can only be scored from inside it, which is why the circle, not a penalty box, is the most important marking on the field. The pitch also has 23-metre lines that divide it into quarters and a centre line where play starts.
This guide covers every field hockey field dimension, from the overall pitch size to the shooting circle, the 23-metre lines, the goals, and the penalty marks, with both metric and yard measurements. If you're getting your team ready for the season, check out our field hockey uniforms and brush up on field hockey positions while you're here.
Field Hockey Field Diagram
A labeled regulation pitch with the shooting circle, 23-metre lines, and goal measurements. Print it or save it as a PDF for your clipboard.
Field Hockey Dimensions at a Glance
Every key measurement on a regulation pitch, in metric and imperial.
| Element | Metric | Imperial | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field length | 91.40 m | 100 yd | Backline to backline |
| Field width | 55.00 m | 60 yd | Sideline to sideline |
| Centre line | 45.70 m | 50 yd | Halfway across the pitch |
| 23-metre line | 22.90 m | ~25 yd | From each backline |
| Shooting circle radius | 14.63 m | 16 yd | Struck from each goalpost |
| Dotted line (outside circle) | 5.00 m | ~5.5 yd | For penalty corners |
| Penalty spot | 6.40 m | ~7 yd | From goal line, for strokes |
| Penalty corner marks | 5 m & 10 m | ~5.5 & 11 yd | From goalpost on backline |
| Goal width | 3.66 m | 12 ft | Inside the posts |
| Goal height | 2.14 m | 7 ft | Inside the crossbar |
| Backboard height | 0.46 m | 18 in | Along the base of the goal |
Standard set by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). 1 metre = 1.094 yards. Imperial values are rounded.
Field Hockey Markings Explained
Each line and arc on the pitch has a specific measurement and purpose. Here's what they are.
The Shooting Circle (the "D")
- •Radius: 14.63 m (16 yd) from each goalpost
- •Shape: two quarter-circles joined by a straight line
- •Goals only count if the ball is touched inside the circle
The 23-Metre Lines
- •Distance: 22.90 m (~25 yd) from each backline
- •Split the pitch into quarters with the centre line
- •Used for restarts and to mark the attacking zone
The Goal
- •Width: 3.66 m (12 ft) inside the posts
- •Height: 2.14 m (7 ft) inside the crossbar
- •Backboards: 460 mm (18 in) high along the base
The Penalty Spot
- •Distance: 6.40 m (~7 yd) from the goal line
- •Penalty strokes are taken from here, one-on-one with the keeper
- •Awarded for a serious defensive foul inside the circle
Penalty Corner Marks
- •Marks: 5 m and 10 m from each goalpost on the backline
- •The attacker injects the ball from one of these spots
- •A dotted line 5 m outside the circle controls attacker spacing
Centre Line & Sidelines
- •Centre line: runs across the middle, 45.70 m (50 yd) from each backline
- •Sidelines: the two long boundaries (91.4 m)
- •Backlines: the two short boundaries (55 m) with the goals
Field Hockey Field Size by Level
Full-sided field hockey uses one regulation pitch, but youth and intro programs scale things down.
International & FIH: 91.4 x 55 m
Olympic, World Cup, and international matches use the full regulation pitch of 91.4 by 55 metres, almost always on water-based artificial turf. The water-based surface lets the ball move faster and truer than grass, which is why the elite game is so quick. Every marking, from the shooting circle to the 23-metre lines, is set to the exact FIH measurements.
College (NCAA): 91.4 x 55 m
NCAA field hockey uses the same regulation 91.4 by 55 metre pitch as the international game, typically on sand-based or water-based turf. The dimensions and markings match the FIH standard, so a college player steps onto a field that's identical in size to what they'd see at a national tournament. The consistency makes it easy to move between levels.
High School (NFHS): 91.4 x 55 m
High school field hockey follows the same regulation pitch size, though some schools play on slightly smaller fields where space is tight or where the team shares a multi-use field with other sports. The minimum recommended width is around 50 metres if the full 55 isn't available. Many high school programs play on turf, but plenty still compete on grass, which slows the game down.
Youth & Intro Programs: Smaller, Small-Sided Pitches
Younger players don't use the full pitch. Intro and youth programs often play small-sided games (like 7-a-side) on a half field or a scaled-down pitch, sometimes with smaller goals. This keeps younger players involved in the action instead of chasing the ball across 100 yards. As players move up to the full 11-a-side game, they graduate to the regulation 91.4 by 55 metre field.
Understanding the Field Hockey Pitch Layout
A walk-through of how the pitch is structured from end to end.
A field hockey pitch is a rectangle 91.4 metres long and 55 metres wide, divided in half by the centre line. The two long sides are the sidelines and the two short sides are the backlines, with a goal centered on each backline. Starting from one backline and moving toward midfield, here's what you'll find.
The goal sits centered on the backline, 3.66 metres wide and 2.14 metres tall, with backboards along the base. In front of it is the shooting circle, the D-shaped area struck 14.63 metres from each post. This is the single most important marking, because a goal only counts if an attacker touches the ball inside it. Just outside the circle runs a dotted line 5 metres out, used to control spacing on penalty corners. The penalty spot sits 6.40 metres from the goal for penalty strokes.
Moving out from the circle, the 23-metre line crosses the full width 22.90 metres from the backline, marking the start of the attacking quarter. The centre line runs across the middle of the pitch, where play starts and restarts after goals. Because field hockey has no offside rule, attackers can position anywhere, so these lines are about restarts and structure rather than limiting where players stand.
One detail that surprises new fans: the circle is not a true half-circle. It's two quarter-circles, one struck from each goalpost, joined by a straight section in the middle. That's why it looks more like a "D" than a dome, and it's a marking you won't find in any other sport.
Tips for Marking a Field Hockey Pitch
Practical advice for coaches and athletic directors setting up a pitch.
Strike the circle from the goalposts, not the center
The shooting circle trips people up because it isn't a simple semicircle. Run a 14.63 metre string from each goalpost and arc it out. Where the two arcs would meet, connect them with a straight line parallel to the backline. That gives you the correct D shape instead of a single curved dome.
Measure the long axis first
Lay out the 91.4 metre length down the middle, then measure the 55 metre width at each end and the centre. Marking the long axis first keeps the pitch square and gives you a reference line to measure the 23-metre lines and centre line from. Check your corners with the 3-4-5 method so every angle is a true right angle.
Don't forget the penalty corner marks
Mark the 5 metre and 10 metre spots from each goalpost along the backline, and add the dotted line 5 metres outside the circle. These small marks are easy to skip, but they're essential for running penalty corners correctly, and officials will look for them before a competitive match.
Scale down for younger players
If you're running an intro or youth program, don't put little kids on a full 100-yard pitch. Use a half field or a small-sided setup with smaller goals so players touch the ball more and learn faster. They'll graduate to the regulation pitch soon enough.
Get your team kitted out
Once the pitch is marked and the roster is set, order field hockey uniforms and add some team apparel for the sideline. While you're at it, brush up on field hockey positions so you know where everyone lines up on your freshly marked field.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of a field hockey field?
A regulation field hockey pitch is 91.4 metres long and 55 metres wide, which works out to 100 yards by 60 yards. That size is used at the international, college, and high school levels. The two long sides are the sidelines and the two short sides are the backlines, with a goal centered on each backline. Youth and intro programs sometimes play on smaller pitches, but full 11-a-side field hockey uses the 91.4 by 55 metre standard set by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
How big is the shooting circle in field hockey?
The shooting circle, also called the striking circle or the 'D,' is formed by two quarter-circles with a radius of 14.63 metres (16 yards) struck from each goalpost, joined by a straight line parallel to the backline. The result is a D-shaped area in front of each goal. It matters more than any other marking because a goal only counts if the ball is touched by an attacker inside the circle. A shot from outside the D does not count, no matter how it goes in.
What are the 23-metre lines in field hockey?
The 23-metre lines (sometimes called the 25-yard lines) run across the full width of the pitch 22.90 metres from each backline. They split the field into quarters along with the centre line. The 23-metre areas matter for restarts: when the defending team puts the ball out over the backline, or for certain free hits, play restarts relative to these lines. They also mark where the attacking zone begins, so coaches use them as a reference point for pressing and structure.
How big is a field hockey goal?
A field hockey goal is 3.66 metres (12 feet) wide and 2.14 metres (7 feet) high, measured on the inside of the posts. That makes it wider than a hockey net but shorter and narrower than a soccer goal. The goal also has backboards along the bottom that stand 460 millimetres (18 inches) high, which keep hard, low shots inside the net. The same goal size is used from high school through the international level.
Is a field hockey field the same size as a soccer field?
No. A field hockey pitch is a fixed 91.4 by 55 metres (100 by 60 yards), while a soccer field varies in size and is usually larger. A regulation soccer field runs 100 to 130 yards long and 50 to 100 yards wide, so most soccer fields are longer than a hockey pitch. Field hockey also uses a fixed shooting circle instead of a rectangular penalty box, and it has no offside rule, which changes how the markings are used compared to soccer.
How far is the penalty spot in field hockey?
The penalty spot in field hockey is 6.40 metres (about 7 yards) from the center of the goal line. Penalty strokes are taken from this spot, one attacker against the goalkeeper, awarded for a serious foul by the defense inside the circle. Penalty corners use different marks: the attacker injects the ball from a spot on the backline 5 or 10 metres from the goalpost, while the other attackers wait outside the circle. The 6.40 metre spot is only used for the penalty stroke.
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