Goal dimensions by age: the FA and US charts, and how to measure for a net
A full-size goal is 7.32 m by 2.44 m (24 x 8 ft), measured inside the posts and under the crossbar (IFAB Law 1). Below that one shared figure, England and the United States publish different ladders: the same 9v9 age group plays into a 16 x 7 ft goal under the FA chart and up to 21 x 7 ft under US Soccer's development rules, and the two markets even write the dimensions in opposite order. This page puts both official charts side by side, adds the other sports' goal rules, and ends with the four measurements that size a replacement net.
What size is a full-size football goal?
IFAB Law 1, quoted: "The distance between the inside of the posts is 7.32 m (8 yds)" and "the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8 ft)". Two details matter for netting. The measurements are inside the frame, which is the same convention net sizes use. And the Law says of nets only that they "must be properly supported and must not interfere with the goalkeeper": everything else about net shape and depth is equipment practice, not law.
Goal sizes by age in England: the FA goalpost table
From the FA's Goalpost and Pitch Sizes and Line Marking table (Rules of the Association, 2025-26); goals below are width x height, the UK convention; pitch sizes are maximums without run-offs, and the FA recommends a 3 m run-off all around:
| Age group (format) | Goalposts | Pitch (L x W) |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-Soccer U7/U8 (5v5) | 12 x 6 ft (W x H) | 40 x 30 yd |
| Mini-Soccer U9/U10 (7v7) | 12 x 6 ft | 60 x 40 yd |
| Youth U11/U12 (9v9) | 16 x 7 ft | 80 x 50 yd |
| Youth U13/U14 (11v11) | 21 x 7 ft recommended; 24 x 8 ft acceptable | 90 x 55 yd |
| Youth U15/U16 (11v11) | 24 x 8 ft | 100 x 60 yd |
| Youth U17/U18 and adult (11v11) | 24 x 8 ft | 110 x 70 yd |
Goal sizes by age in the US: the Player Development Initiatives
From US Soccer's Player Development Initiatives as published by US Youth Soccer (stated as maximum goal sizes; many leagues run smaller):
| Age group (format) | Maximum goal size | Ball |
|---|---|---|
| U6 to U8 (4v4, no goalkeeper) | maximum 6 ft wide x 4 ft high | Size 3 |
| U9/U10 (7v7) | maximum 18.5 ft wide x 6.5 ft high | Size 4 |
| U11/U12 (9v9) | maximum 21 ft wide x 7 ft high | Size 4 |
| U13 and older (11v11) | 24 ft wide x 8 ft high (IFAB Law 1) | Size 5 |
The 9v9 trap: 16 x 7 in England, up to 21 x 7 in the United States
Both figures are official and both are current: the FA's U11/U12 9v9 goal is 16 x 7 ft, US Soccer's U11/U12 9v9 maximum is 21 x 7 ft, a full 5 ft of width apart for the same age label. The practical consequence for anyone ordering nets across both markets, or importing goals, is that "a 9v9 net" is not a specification: the chart the league follows is. The same trap exists in writing order: US publications list height x width, UK publications width x height, so "8 x 24" and "24 x 8" are the same goal and "16 x 7" and "7 x 16" the same frame. We write width first with units on this page, and both orders in quotes where the source does.
Other sports: official goal dimensions
| Sport | Official dimensions | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Futsal | 3 m wide x 2 m high (inside measurement) | FIFA Futsal Laws, Law 1 (via The FA) |
| Rugby union (posts) | 5.6 m between posts (inside), crossbar top edge at 3.0 m | World Rugby, Law 1 |
| Field hockey | 3.66 m wide x 2.14 m high (inside), 1.2 m deep, net mesh maximum 45 mm | FIH goal and net specifications |
| Handball | 3 m wide x 2 m high (inside), internal diagonals 360.5 cm | IHF Goal Regulations |
| Gaelic games | 6.5 m between posts, crossbar at 2.5 m | GAA Official Guide, Part 2 |
How to measure a goal for a replacement net
The published fitting guides agree on the method and disagree only on writing order. Four measurements, in the US convention "height x width x depth x base" (Kwik Goal's formulation) or UK-first width: width inside post to post; height from the ground to the underside of the crossbar; top depth from the crossbar to the rear of the top support; base depth from the goal line to the rear ground bar. First Team's guide makes the same point: "seek out nets with three or more dimensions". Then match the net shape to the frame: the UK guides distinguish standard nets (goals with a top runback), straight-back nets (no runback) and box nets (supporting back stanchions), and note that a net slightly deeper than the frame is acceptable while a shallower one is not. Net twine on goal nets runs from 1.6 mm garden grades to 5 mm elite grades in the published ranges: our twine gauge chartcovers how those figures compare.
How we compiled this page
The FA table and the US PDI document were read in the original PDFs and are linked; IFAB, FIFA futsal (via the FA), World Rugby, FIH, IHF and GAA dimensions were read on or from the governing bodies' own published documents, linked in the table. Measuring conventions are quoted from the published fitting guides of goal and net sellers (Kwik Goal, First Team, Net World Sports, itsagoal), credited by name and not linked where they compete with us. One set of figures circulating in UK guides (standard runback depths) could not be verified on the original page and is deliberately omitted. US PDI values are cited with a link rather than reproduced in full.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a full-size football goal?
Under IFAB Law 1, the distance between the inside of the posts is 7.32 m (8 yd) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8 ft): the familiar 24 x 8 ft goal. Both dimensions are measured inside the frame, which is also how replacement nets are sized.
What size is a 9v9 goal?
It depends which side of the Atlantic you are on, and both answers are official: 16 ft x 7 ft in England (the FA goalpost table for U11/U12) and a maximum of 21 ft x 7 ft in the United States (US Soccer Player Development Initiatives for U11/U12). Check which chart your league follows before ordering a net.
What size goal does U10 soccer use?
In the US, the published maximum for U9/U10 7v7 is 18.5 ft wide by 6.5 ft high (US Soccer PDI). In England, U9/U10 mini-soccer uses 12 ft x 6 ft goals (the FA goalpost table). The two systems differ, so the age label alone is not enough to size a net.
What size net do I need for a 12 x 6 goal?
A 12 x 6 net: net sizes match the goal frame sizes, measured inside the posts and under the crossbar. What varies is the depth: nets are listed as height x width x top depth x base depth (US convention) or width x height first (UK convention), and a net with slightly larger depth measurements than the frame is acceptable, as the published fitting guides note.
How do I measure a goal for a replacement net?
Four measurements: width inside post to post, height from the ground to the underside of the crossbar, depth at the top (crossbar to the rear of the top support), and depth at the base (goal line to the rear ground bar or backstay). Then match the net shape to the frame type: box goals, goals with a top runback, and straight-back goals take different nets.
Ordering replacement nets in quantity?
Clubs, councils and installers replace nets in batches, not one at a time. Send us the goal sizes from the charts above, the frame types and the twine grade you want, and we reply within 48 hours with the documented specification in writing. See thegoal and court netting family, theSpec Finder, or go straight to thequote form.
We reply within 48 hours with questions or a documented quote.