In short
A standard-sized football pitch is 105 meters long and 68 meters wide. This corresponds to an area of 7,140 m² or approximately 0.71 hectares. Football regulations allow lengths of 90 to 120 m and widths of 45 to 90 m for national matches, and 100 to 110 m in length and 64 to 75 m in width for international matches.
How big is a football pitch? The question sounds simple, but the answer is not quite: the official rules of football do not set a fixed size, but only a framework. In practice, however, a standard dimension has become established. Here you will find all dimensions – from the full-size pitch to the penalty area and goal, down to the small pitches used in youth football.
Football pitch dimensions according to the regulations
The size of the pitch is defined in Law 1 of the Laws of the Game, which the DFB publishes annually in a German edition. The pitch must be rectangular, and the touchlines must be longer than the goal lines.
| Length (touchline) | Width (goal line) | Area | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National matches | 90–120 m | 45–90 m | 4,050–10,800 m² |
| International matches | 100–110 m | 64–75 m | 6,400–8,250 m² |
| Standard size | 105 m | 68 m | 7,140 m² (≈ 0.71 ha) |
How many square metres and hectares is a football pitch?
A standard pitch measuring 105 × 68 m has 7,140 square metres. Since one hectare equals 10,000 m², that is 0.714 hectares. Conversely, about 1.4 football pitches fit into one hectare, and around 140 into one square kilometre.
This is why the football pitch is a popular benchmark for comparisons—for example, for woodland or construction areas. It is important to state the size used, because under the rules a small amateur pitch may be only a little over half the size of a large one.
The markings in detail
| Element | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Goal | 7.32 m wide (inside edge of the posts), 2.44 m high (underside of the crossbar) |
| Goal area (“six-yard box”) | 5.5 m from the inside edges of the posts and 5.5 m into the field—total 18.32 × 5.5 m |
| Penalty area (“18-yard box”) | 16.5 m from the inside edges of the posts and 16.5 m into the field—total 40.32 × 16.5 m |
| Penalty mark | 11 m from the centre of the goal line |
| Penalty arc | Radius 9.15 m from the penalty mark |
| Centre circle (kick-off circle) | Radius 9.15 m |
| Corner arc | Radius 1 m |
| Line width | Maximum 12 cm, all lines the same width |
Pitch sizes in youth football
Children’s and youth football is played on significantly smaller pitches. The exact specifications are set by the regional associations and may therefore vary by region. An example from the youth regulations of the Lower Saxony Football Association:
| Age group | Format | Pitch size | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| G and F Juniors | 3 vs 3 | 26 × 20 m | 4 mini goals 1.20 × 0.80 m |
| E Juniors | 4+1 vs 4+1 | 40 × 25 m | 2 youth goals 5 × 2 m |
| E Juniors (exception) | 7 vs 7 | 50 × 35 m | 2 youth goals 5 × 2 m |
| D Juniors | 9 vs 9 | 70 × 50 m | 2 youth goals 5 × 2 m |
| From C Juniors | 11 vs 11 | Full-size pitch | 7.32 × 2.44 m |
For comparison: How big are other playing fields?
| Sport | Field dimensions | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Football (standard) | 105 × 68 m | 7,140 m² |
| Field hockey | 91.4 × 55 m | approx. 5,030 m² |
| Handball | 40 × 20 m | 800 m² |
| Basketball | 28 × 15 m | 420 m² |
| Tennis (doubles court) | 23.77 × 10.97 m | approx. 261 m² |
Natural grass or artificial turf?
Many clubs and municipalities are now opting for artificial turf pitches because they can be used year-round and far more intensively than natural grass. To ensure the surface retains its sports-functional properties, construction and maintenance in Germany are regulated in DIN 18035-7. For pitches with plastic infill, the EU restriction on microplastics also applies: after a transitional period, no plastic granulate may be sold as infill material from October 2031.
Existing pitches may continue to be used—regular cleaning helps minimise infill loss and extend service life.
Our services for clubs and municipalities
We clean and maintain artificial turf pitches, synthetic surfaces and long jump pits—nationwide. An overview of artificial turf cleaning, synthetic surface cleaning and sand surface cleaning.
Frequently asked questions about the size of a football pitch
How big is a football pitch in square metres?
A standard-size football pitch measuring 105 by 68 metres has 7,140 square metres. Under the rules, areas between 4,050 and 10,800 square metres are permitted for national matches.
How many hectares is a football pitch?
A standard pitch with 7,140 square metres corresponds to around 0.71 hectares. One hectare is therefore roughly the size of 1.4 football pitches.
How long and wide is a football pitch?
The usual dimensions are 105 metres in length and 68 metres in width. For national matches, 90 to 120 metres in length and 45 to 90 metres in width are permitted; for international matches, 100 to 110 metres in length and 64 to 75 metres in width.
How big is the penalty area in football?
The penalty area is 40.32 metres wide and extends 16.5 metres into the pitch. This is why it is also known as the 18-yard box. The goal area measures 18.32 by 5.5 metres.
How big is a football goal?
A football goal is 7.32 metres wide and 2.44 metres high, measured at the inside edges of the posts and crossbar respectively.