Football Pitch Dimensions and Markings Explained

Basics · By Md Emran Hossain · Updated 28 October 2026 · 2 min read

Every line on a football pitch has a purpose. Knowing them helps you understand restarts, penalties and offside decisions. Law 1 of the Laws of the Game sets out the measurements.

Pitch size

Football pitches do not all have the same size. The Laws allow a range:

The pitch must be rectangular, with touchlines longer than goal lines. Many professional stadiums use about 105 m by 68 m. Coaches sometimes prefer a narrower pitch to defend or a wider one to stretch opponents.

The goals

Each goal is 7.32 metres (8 yards) wide and 2.44 metres (8 feet) high, measured from the inside of the posts and the underside of the crossbar. Posts and crossbar must be white and no wider than 12 cm.

The markings

Halfway line and centre circle

The halfway line divides the pitch in two. The centre mark sits in the middle, with a circle of 9.15 m radius around it. At kick-off, opponents must stay outside the circle.

Penalty area

The large box extends 16.5 m from each goalpost and 16.5 m into the field, making it 40.32 m wide. Inside it, the goalkeeper can handle the ball, and defensive fouls punishable by a direct free kick become penalties.

Goal area

The small box extends 5.5 m from each goalpost and 5.5 m into the field. Goal kicks are taken from anywhere inside it. See corner and goal kick rules.

Penalty mark

A spot 11 m from the midpoint between the posts, where penalty kicks are taken.

Penalty arc

The "D" at the edge of the penalty area is an arc of 9.15 m radius from the penalty mark. It does not belong to the penalty area; it simply ensures players stay 9.15 m from the ball during a penalty.

Corner arc

A quarter circle of 1 m radius at each corner, where corner kicks are taken. Corner flags at least 1.5 m high mark each corner.

Lines belong to the area

All lines are part of the area they mark. A ball on the touchline is still in play, and a foul on the penalty-area line is inside the penalty area. Lines must not be wider than 12 cm and must be the same width.

Technical areas

In stadiums, a marked technical area in front of each bench shows where coaches can stand. Only one person may give tactical instructions at a time.

Natural and artificial surfaces

Matches can be played on natural grass, artificial turf or hybrid surfaces (natural grass reinforced with synthetic fibres), depending on competition rules. Artificial surfaces used in official competitions must meet FIFA quality standards. Hybrid pitches are common in top stadiums because they last longer under heavy use.

Now see how the pitch is used tactically in our formations guide.