Soccer Goal Dimensions: Full-Size, Youth and Futsal Goals
Goal sizes for every age group and format of soccer, in feet and meters, with the details that matter when you buy, set up or anchor a goal.
A regulation soccer goal measures 24 ft wide and 8 ft high (7.32 × 2.44 m), measured between the inside edges of the posts and from the ground to the underside of the crossbar. Youth goals shrink to 18.5 × 6.5 ft for ages 9 and 10 and 6 × 4 ft for ages 8 and under in US Youth Soccer.
- Full size
- 24 × 8 ft
- Metric
- 7.32 × 2.44 m
- Post width (max)
- 12 cm (5 in)
- Futsal goal
- 3 × 2 m
On this page
Soccer goal size chart
All goal sizes are inside measurements: the clear opening between the posts and from the ground to the bottom of the crossbar. A goal sold as "24 × 8" should measure exactly that from inside post to inside post.
| Goal | Width × height (ft) | Width × height (m) | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full size (regulation) | 24 × 8 | 7.32 × 2.44 | 11v11, age 13 and up, adults |
| Youth 9v9 | 21 × 7 | 6.40 × 2.13 | US ages 11-12 (maximum) |
| Youth 7v7 | 18.5 × 6.5 | 5.64 × 1.98 | US ages 9-10 |
| Junior / mini soccer | 16 × 7 or 12 × 6 | 4.88 × 2.13 or 3.66 × 1.83 | UK youth formats, backyard |
| Small-sided 4v4 | 6 × 4 | 1.83 × 1.22 | US ages 8 and under |
| Futsal | 9.8 × 6.6 | 3 × 2 | Indoor futsal |
| Beach soccer | 18 × 7.2 | 5.5 × 2.2 | Beach soccer |
The target area shrinks quickly. A 21 × 7 ft goal has 77% of the area of a full-size goal, an 18.5 × 6.5 ft goal 63%, and a 6 × 4 ft goal only 12.5%. That is the point: small goals reward accurate passing and shooting rather than long hopeful shots over a short goalkeeper.
Youth soccer goal size by age
United States (US Youth Soccer)
| Age group | Format | Goal size (ft) | Goal size (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| U6-U8 | 4v4 | 6 × 4 | 1.83 × 1.22 |
| U9-U10 | 7v7 | 18.5 × 6.5 | 5.64 × 1.98 |
| U11-U12 | 9v9 | up to 21 × 7 (18.5 × 6.5 also common) | 6.40 × 2.13 |
| U13 and older | 11v11 | 24 × 8 | 7.32 × 2.44 |
Age groups follow the birth year. AYSO and some state associations use different goal sizes for some age groups, so ask the league before buying a goal for practice.
England (The FA)
| Age group | Format | Goal size (ft) | Goal size (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| U7-U8 | 5v5 | 12 × 6 | 3.66 × 1.83 |
| U9-U10 | 7v7 | 12 × 6 | 3.66 × 1.83 |
| U11-U12 | 9v9 | 16 × 7 | 4.88 × 2.13 |
| U13-U14 | 11v11 | 21 × 7 | 6.40 × 2.13 |
| U15 and older | 11v11 | 24 × 8 | 7.32 × 2.44 |
The FA keeps 13- and 14-year-olds on a 21 × 7 ft goal for two extra seasons, where US leagues move straight to the full 24 × 8 ft. These are the guidelines as of 2026; county FAs and leagues publish their own rules for the season.
Regulation goal details: posts, crossbar and markings
IFAB Law 1 fixes more than the opening. These details matter if you are building, buying or inspecting a match goal.
- Post and crossbar width: no more than 12 cm (5 in), and the posts and crossbar must be the same width and depth.
- Goal line: the same width as the posts, so a 12 cm post sits on a 12 cm line, and the ball must cross the whole line to score.
- Shape and color: square, rectangular, round or elliptical cross-sections are allowed. Posts and crossbar must be white.
- Placement: centered on the goal line. The goal area extends 5.5 m (6 yd) from the inside of each post, and the penalty area 16.5 m (18 yd).
- Penalty mark: 11 m (12 yd) from the midpoint between the posts.
- Field size: for international adult matches, 100 to 110 m long and 64 to 75 m wide (about 110-120 × 70-80 yd). Other matches can use 90 to 120 m by 45 to 90 m.
Goal depth, nets and frame footprint
The Laws do not set a depth, so frames differ. Full-size freestanding goals are commonly about 3 to 5 ft deep at the crossbar and 6 to 10 ft at the ground bar. Youth goals scale down proportionally. Pop-up and folding goals are much shallower and lighter.
Nets are sold with four numbers: width, height, top depth and bottom depth (for example 24 × 8 × 3 × 8 ft). Measure all four on your frame before ordering a replacement net. A net cut for a box-shaped frame will not fit a frame with angled back supports.
Unanchored soccer goals can tip forward when someone hangs on the crossbar, and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has recorded deaths from falling goals. Anchor goals with ground stakes, sandbags or counterweights as the manufacturer specifies, every time the goal is moved. Never let children climb the net or swing on the crossbar. Full-size goals sold in the US are covered by ASTM F2950, which requires tip-over resistance.
Choosing a backyard soccer goal
- Ages 4 to 8: a 6 × 4 ft goal matches league play. Two of them make a small-sided game in a typical yard.
- Ages 8 to 12: a 12 × 6 ft goal is the most versatile backyard size. It is close to UK youth goals and big enough for shooting practice, while still fitting a yard about 40 ft deep.
- Teenagers: a full 24 × 8 ft goal needs at least 30 ft of width to place it with room around the posts, and around 60 ft in front for realistic shooting from the penalty area.
- Storage: folding goals of 12 × 6 ft usually collapse flat; full-size aluminum goals do not and need a permanent spot or a set of wheels.
For other backyard play equipment, see the trampoline size guide and the swing set dimensions guide. Court and field sizes for basketball and tennis are in the basketball court guide and the tennis court guide, and the sports sizes hub compares goals across sports.
Frequently asked questions
What size soccer goal do I need?
Match the goal to the oldest age group that will use it. Ages 13 and up play on 24 × 8 ft goals, ages 11-12 on goals up to 21 × 7 ft, ages 9-10 on 18.5 × 6.5 ft, and ages 8 and under on 6 × 4 ft goals. For a mixed-age backyard, a 12 × 6 ft goal is a common compromise.
Why is a soccer goal 24 by 8 feet?
The size dates from the 19th-century English rules, which set the goal at 8 yards wide and 8 feet high. The Laws of the Game still define it in those units; the metric 7.32 × 2.44 m is a conversion.
How deep is a soccer goal?
The Laws of the Game do not set a depth. Full-size freestanding goals are commonly about 3 to 5 ft deep at the top and 6 to 10 ft at the base. Check the depth before buying a replacement net, since nets are sold to fit specific frame shapes.
What size is a 5-a-side or futsal goal?
Futsal goals are 3 × 2 m (9 ft 10 in × 6 ft 7 in) under FIFA futsal rules. Commercial 5-a-side pitches often use 12 × 4 ft or 16 × 4 ft goals, but these are set by the venue, not by a governing body.
How wide are soccer goal posts?
Up to 12 cm (5 in). The posts and crossbar must be the same width and depth, and the goal line must be the same width as the posts. Posts may be square, rectangular, round or elliptical, and must be white.