Soccer Field Dimensions: A Complete Guide for Every Level
Soccer fields vary in size from tiny 7v7 youth pitches to full-sized FIFA fields. Here's a complete breakdown of field dimensions, goal sizes, penalty areas, and marking distances for every age group and level of play.
Getting soccer field dimensions right matters whether you're a coach marking lines for a youth league, a rec director setting up fields for the season, or a parent trying to understand why your 8-year-old's field looks so different from the one on TV. Soccer fields aren't one-size-fits-all. The dimensions change based on the age group and level of play.
US Soccer and FIFA both publish guidelines for field sizes, and they give a range rather than a single fixed measurement. That flexibility means you'll see some variation from park to park and league to league. But there are standard ranges that every level follows, and knowing them helps you set up a proper playing surface.
This guide covers soccer field dimensions for every level from youth 7v7 through FIFA international play, including goal sizes, penalty areas, and all the key field markings. If you're getting your team ready for the season, check out our custom soccer jerseys and soccer team uniforms while you're here.
Soccer Field Dimensions at a Glance
Quick reference table showing field size by age group and level of play.
| Level | Format | Length | Width | Goal Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth (U6-U8) | 4v4 | 25-35 yds | 15-25 yds | 4' x 6' |
| Youth (U8-U10) | 7v7 | 35-45 yds | 25-35 yds | 4.5' x 9' |
| Youth (U10-U12) | 9v9 | 70-80 yds | 45-55 yds | 6.5' x 18.5' |
| Youth (U13+) | 11v11 | 100-110 yds | 55-75 yds | 8' x 24' |
| High School | 11v11 | 100-120 yds | 55-80 yds | 8' x 24' |
| College (NCAA) | 11v11 | 110-120 yds | 70-80 yds | 8' x 24' |
| FIFA / Professional | 11v11 | 110-120 yds | 70-80 yds | 8' x 24' |
Dimensions shown in yards. 1 yard = 0.9144 meters. Goal sizes shown as height x width in feet.
Youth Soccer Field Dimensions
US Soccer recommends smaller fields for younger players so the game fits their size and ability level.
4v4 (Ages U6-U8): 25-35 x 15-25 yards
The smallest format uses a field roughly the size of a large backyard. No goalkeepers at this level. Goals are 4 feet high by 6 feet wide (sometimes called pugg goals). There are no penalty areas, no corner arcs, and no center circle. The focus is on getting kids to touch the ball as much as possible, and the small field makes that happen.
7v7 (Ages U8-U10): 35-45 x 25-35 yards
This is where the game starts looking more like soccer. Goalkeepers are introduced, and the goals jump to 4.5 feet by 9 feet (sometimes 5 by 10 feet depending on the league). The field has a center circle and a build-out line that the defending team must retreat behind on goal kicks. No offside rule is enforced at this age. The slightly larger field encourages passing over dribbling, which helps with development.
9v9 (Ages U10-U12): 70-80 x 45-55 yards
The 9v9 format is the bridge between small-sided and full-field soccer. Goals are 6.5 feet by 18.5 feet, and the field includes penalty areas, goal areas, and corner arcs. The offside rule is now enforced. This format gives players a taste of the full 11v11 game while still keeping the field proportional to their size and speed. Most leagues use this format for U11 and U12 divisions.
11v11 Youth (Ages U13+): 100-110 x 55-75 yards
By U13, players move to the full 11v11 format with regulation-size goals (8 feet by 24 feet). The field is close to full size, though leagues may use a slightly smaller pitch than what you'd see at the high school or college level. All standard markings apply: penalty area (44 x 18 yards), goal area (20 x 6 yards), center circle (10-yard radius), and corner arcs (1-yard radius).
High School and College Field Dimensions
Regulation-size fields for competitive play at the scholastic and collegiate level.
High School: 100-120 x 55-80 yards
NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) rules allow fields between 100 and 120 yards long and 55 to 80 yards wide. Many high school teams play on shared football fields, which are 100 yards long and 53 1/3 yards wide. That length works fine, though the width is slightly narrower than ideal for soccer. Schools with dedicated soccer fields typically use something close to 110 by 65 yards.
Goals are regulation 8 feet high by 24 feet wide. All standard markings are required, including the penalty area, goal area, center circle, halfway line, and corner arcs. If you're coaching high school soccer and need soccer uniforms, plan to order well before the season starts.
College (NCAA): 110-120 x 70-80 yards
NCAA rules require fields between 110 and 120 yards long and 70 to 80 yards wide. That's a narrower range than high school, which means college fields are more consistent in size. Most NCAA Division I programs use fields around 115 by 75 yards. The extra width compared to a high school football field makes a real difference in how the game plays, giving wingers more room to operate.
FIFA and Professional Field Dimensions
The standard for professional and international soccer.
FIFA International: 110-120 x 70-80 yards
FIFA's Laws of the Game allow a range for field size, but for international matches, the recommended dimensions are 110 to 120 yards (100 to 110 meters) long and 70 to 80 yards (64 to 73 meters) wide. For World Cup and Champions League matches, FIFA recommends a more specific 115 by 74 yards (105 by 68 meters).
MLS stadiums in the United States vary slightly. Most fall between 110 and 120 yards long and 70 to 75 yards wide, though a few soccer-specific stadiums use the FIFA-recommended 115 by 74 yards. Stadiums shared with football tend to have slightly narrower pitches.
Soccer Field Markings and Dimensions
Every line on the field has a specific measurement. Here's what they are.
Penalty Area (18-Yard Box)
- •Width: 44 yards (18 yards from each post)
- •Depth: 18 yards from the goal line
- •Penalty spot: 12 yards from the goal line
- •Penalty arc: 10-yard radius from the penalty spot
Goal Area (6-Yard Box)
- •Width: 20 yards (6 yards from each post)
- •Depth: 6 yards from the goal line
- •Goal kicks are taken from anywhere inside this box
Center Circle and Halfway Line
- •Center circle radius: 10 yards
- •Center spot: Exact middle of the field
- •Opposing players must stay outside the circle during kickoff
Goal Dimensions
- •Regulation (11v11): 8 ft high x 24 ft wide
- •9v9: 6.5 ft high x 18.5 ft wide
- •7v7: 4.5 ft high x 9 ft wide
- •4v4: 4 ft high x 6 ft wide
Corner Arc
- •Radius: 1 yard from the corner flag
- •The ball must be placed inside this arc for corner kicks
- •Optional marks 10 yards from the corner arc can indicate minimum defender distance
Other Markings
- •Touchlines: The long sides of the field (must be longer than goal lines)
- •Goal lines: The short sides of the field
- •Line width: Maximum 5 inches (12 cm)
Understanding the Field Layout
A walk-through of how a soccer field is structured from end to end.
A soccer field (also called a pitch) is a rectangle divided in half by the halfway line. Each half is a mirror image of the other. Starting from one goal line and moving toward midfield, here's what you'll find:
The goal sits centered on the goal line. Immediately in front of it is the goal area (6-yard box), a small rectangle where goal kicks are taken. Surrounding the goal area is the larger penalty area (18-yard box), where the goalkeeper can use their hands and fouls result in penalty kicks. The penalty spot sits 12 yards from the goal line, and the penalty arc curves outside the penalty area to mark 10 yards from the spot.
Moving further out, the field opens up into the midfield. The halfway line runs across the full width, and the center circle surrounds the center mark where kickoffs happen. At each corner, a corner flag stands at the intersection of the touchline and goal line, with a 1-yard corner arc marking where the ball is placed for corner kicks.
The field should have a safety area of at least 3 to 6 feet beyond all boundary lines, free of obstacles. Many competitive levels require even more buffer space for player safety.
Tips for Marking a Soccer Field
Practical advice for coaches and rec directors setting up fields.
Start with the center spot
Find the center of your available space and work outward. Measure half the length in each direction for your goal lines, and half the width in each direction for your touchlines. This ensures the field is centered and you have buffer space on all sides.
Use the right field size for the age group
Don't make younger kids play on an oversized field. A U10 team on a full-size field will spend more time running and less time actually playing soccer. US Soccer's recommended field sizes exist for a reason. Follow them, and the games will be better.
Check your right angles
Use the 3-4-5 method to ensure your corners are square. Measure 3 yards along one line, 4 yards along the other, and the diagonal between those two points should be exactly 5 yards. If it's not, your corner isn't a right angle. Repeat at every corner.
Shared fields with football
If your soccer field shares space with a football field, the 100-yard length works fine. The football field's 53 1/3-yard width is a bit narrow for soccer but acceptable for youth play. Many programs simply use the football sidelines as touchlines and add soccer-specific markings (penalty area, goal area, center circle) with temporary paint.
Soccer Gear from Secondslide
Ready to outfit your team? Check out our custom gear.
Soccer Uniforms
Custom soccer uniforms for youth, club, and high school teams. Sublimated jerseys, shorts, and socks.
Soccer Team Uniforms
Full team packages with matching jerseys, shorts, and socks. No minimums.
Custom Soccer Jerseys
Design your own soccer jerseys with custom colors, logos, names, and numbers.
When Does Soccer Season Start
Complete guide to soccer season dates for youth, club, high school, and college.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a standard soccer field?
A standard soccer field for high school, college, and professional play is 100 to 120 yards long and 55 to 80 yards wide. FIFA recommends 110 to 120 yards by 70 to 80 yards for international matches. There is no single fixed size because the Laws of the Game allow a range, but most competitive fields are around 110 by 70 yards.
How big is a youth soccer field?
Youth soccer field sizes vary by age group. For 7v7 play (ages 8-10), fields are 35 to 45 yards long by 25 to 35 yards wide. For 9v9 (ages 10-12), fields are 70 to 80 yards by 45 to 55 yards. For 11v11 youth (ages 13+), fields are 100 to 110 yards by 55 to 75 yards. US Soccer sets these guidelines so younger players have appropriately sized fields for their age.
What are the dimensions of a soccer goal?
A regulation soccer goal is 8 feet high and 24 feet wide (2.44 meters by 7.32 meters). This size is used for all 11v11 play from high school through professional levels. Youth goals are smaller: 6.5 by 18.5 feet for 9v9 play and 4 by 6 feet or 4.5 by 9 feet for the youngest age groups playing 4v4 or 7v7.
How big is the penalty area on a soccer field?
The penalty area (also called the 18-yard box) extends 18 yards from each goal post and 18 yards into the field, making it 44 yards wide and 18 yards deep. The penalty spot is 12 yards from the goal line. Inside the penalty area is the goal area (6-yard box), which extends 6 yards from each post and 6 yards into the field, making it 20 yards wide and 6 yards deep.
What is the difference between a soccer field and a football field?
A soccer field is wider and can be longer than a football field. An American football field is exactly 100 yards long and 53 1/3 yards wide. A soccer field ranges from 100 to 120 yards long and 55 to 80 yards wide. Many youth soccer programs share football fields, which works fine since the length is similar, though the width may be a bit narrow for older age groups.
Get Your Soccer Team Game-Day Ready
Custom soccer jerseys, shorts, and full team packages. No minimums, fast turnaround, and designs your players will love.