Soccer Pitch Dimensions & Field Striping Guide
Under official IFAB Laws of the Game (Law 1) and FIFA Category 4 stadium regulations, a standard football pitch measures 105.00 meters long by 68.00 meters wide (115 × 74 yards).
FIFA Quality Programme Field Specifications
Step-by-Step Soccer Pitch Striping Guide (With Diagrams)
Step 1 — Field Envelope & Runoff Safety (115m × 78m)
FIFA standards require a minimum 5.0m buffer behind goal lines and outside touchlines (115m × 78m plot). Orient touchlines NNW to SSE (approx. 350° azimuth) with a magnetic compass to prevent blinding sun glare.
Step 2 — Establish Goal Line 1 (Corners A & B = 68.00m)
Drive Corner A pin, measure along the goal line exactly 68.00 meters (74 yds), and drive Corner B pin. Snap a straight chalk line between Pins A and B.
Step 3 — The 125.10m Pythagorean Diagonal Lock (Corner D)
Pull Tape 1 (105.00m touchline) from Corner A, and Tape 2 (125.10m diagonal) from Corner B. Where both marks cross under tension, drive Corner D at a true 90.00° angle.
Step 4 — Complete 105m × 68m Perimeter & Cross-Check
Repeat triangulation from Corner B (105m) and Corner A (125.10m) to set Corner C. Both diagonals must measure 125.10 meters (410′ 5″) within 15mm. Snap both touchlines and opposite goal line.
Step 5 — Halfway Line (52.50m) & Center Circle (R=9.15m)
Measure 52.50 meters along touchlines to locate the halfway line. Drive the center spot at 34.00m. Anchor a 9.15m (10 yard) non-stretch wire at center to sweep the center circle.
Step 6 — Penalty Box (16.5m), Goal Box (5.5m) & Spots
Measure 16.50m outward from goalposts along the goal line, and extend 16.50m into the field for the penalty box (40.32m × 16.50m). Mark penalty spot at 11.00m (12 yds), sweep the 9.15m penalty arc, and mark 1.0m corner arcs.
FIFA SOCCER PITCH (105m × 68m) — FIELD CREW JOB SHEET
Standard: IFAB Law 1 / FIFA Quality Programme | Envelope: 115m × 78m | Date: __________________
| Survey Parameter | Exact Setting Measurement | Physical Field Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch Dimensions | 105.00m × 68.00m (115 × 74 yds) | Touchline by goal line dimensions. |
| Corner Square Diagonal | 125.096m (410′ 5″) | Corner-to-corner full diagonal check. |
| Penalty Area | 40.32m W × 16.50m L | 16.50m from inside of each goal post. |
| Goal Area (6-Yard Box) | 18.32m W × 5.50m L | 5.50m from inside of each goal post, extending 5.50m inward. |
| Penalty Spot | 11.00m (12 yds) from goal line | Centered between goal posts. |
Field Toolkit Checklist
☐ 2× 100m Master Tapes ☐ 6× Corner Pins ☐ Center Trammel Wire ☐ White Turf Line Paint
Youth Soccer Pitch Dimensions Matrix (US Soccer Guidelines)
If marking smaller pitches for academy or community soccer, use official US Soccer Player Development Initiatives specifications:
| Age Bracket | Match Format | Field Length | Field Width | Regulation Goal Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U6 – U8 | 4v4 (No Goalie) | 25 – 35 yds (23 – 32m) | 15 – 25 yds (14 – 23m) | 4′ × 6′ (1.2m × 1.8m) |
| U9 – U10 | 7v7 | 55 – 65 yds (50 – 60m) | 35 – 45 yds (32 – 41m) | 6.5′ × 18.5′ (2.0m × 5.6m) |
| U11 – U12 | 9v9 | 70 – 80 yds (64 – 73m) | 45 – 55 yds (41 – 50m) | 7′ × 21′ (2.1m × 6.4m) |
| U13+ & Adult | 11v11 (FIFA Standard) | 115 yds (105.00m) | 74 yds (68.00m) | 8′ × 24′ (2.44m × 7.32m) |
Essential IFAB Law 1 Line Tolerances & Drainage
- Line Width: All boundary lines must be of the same width, not more than 12 cm (5 inches). All boundary lines are part of the area they enclose.
- Penalty Arc (The "D"): Scribed with a 9.15m (10 yard) radius anchored at the 11m penalty spot, drawn outside the penalty box only.
- Corner Arcs: Scribed with a 1.00m (1 yard) radius from each corner flag post into the field of play.
- Drainage Slope: Natural turf pitches should feature a 0.5% to 1.0% crown or planar slope shedding water toward sideline perimeter swales.
Other Sports Ground Layout Guides:
Check our Tennis Court (85′ 11″ Diag), view the Basketball Court Dimensions, or explore the Master Court Directory.