So you’re either standing in a garage with a tape measure, scrolling through Amazon trying to figure out what “regulation size” actually means, or you just signed up for a backyard tournament and realized your boards might be the wrong size.
Either way — same question. What are the actual dimensions?
Let me just tell you directly.
The Numbers That Matter
A regulation cornhole board is 48 inches long and 24 inches wide. Four feet by two feet. That’s it.
The hole is 6 inches across. It sits 9 inches down from the top edge and 12 inches in from each side. Not centered on the whole board — shifted toward the top end. That trips up a lot of first-time builders who assume it goes in the middle.
The board isn’t flat. The front sits 3 to 4 inches off the ground. The back rises to 12 inches. That tilt — roughly 10 degrees — is what makes bags either stick on the surface or slide right off depending on how you throw.
Here’s everything in one place:
| Measurement | Size | Wiggle Room |
| Board Length | 48 inches | ±¼ inch |
| Board Width | 24 inches | ±¼ inch |
| Hole Diameter | 6 inches | ±¼ inch |
| Hole from Top Edge | 9 inches | ±¼ inch |
| Hole from Each Side | 12 inches | ±¼ inch |
| Front Height | 3–4 inches | — |
| Back Height | 12 inches | ±¼ inch |
| Slope | ~10 degrees | — |
These specs come from the American Cornhole Association (ACA) and the American Cornhole League (ACL). Both use the same measurements, so there’s no conflict between the two.
Why the Slope Angle Is More Important Than People Think
Most people focus on length and width. The slope gets ignored. That’s a mistake.
That 10-degree angle is what determines how a bag behaves when it lands. Too steep and bags slide right through the hole even on weak throws. Too flat and bags die on contact — no natural movement toward the hole at all.
The 12-inch back height creates that angle automatically when the legs are set correctly. So if your legs are uneven, your slope is off, and your whole game feels weird without knowing why.
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Building From Scratch: The Practical Breakdown
If you’re DIY-ing, here’s how the build actually comes together.
The top surface needs to be at least ½-inch thick plywood. Birch or cabinet-grade plywood gives you the smoothest slide for bags. Cheap construction plywood works short-term but warps fast once it sees weather.
The frame underneath uses 2×4 lumber — two pieces at 48 inches for the long sides and two at 21 inches for the ends. The end pieces fit inside the long sides. That gives you a 24-inch outer width once the 1.5-inch 2×4 thickness is factored in.
Cutting the hole is where people get nervous. Mark your center point: 9 inches from the top edge, 12 inches from each side. Use a 6-inch hole saw, go slow, and sand the edges clean after. Rough hole edges shred bag fabric over time.
Leg setup — cut your legs from 2×4 stock at a 109-degree angle where they meet the frame bottom. That angle accounts for the board’s tilt. Mark bolt holes 1.75 inches from the leg ends and bevel the bottoms at 45 degrees so they fold flat without catching. Use 3/8-inch carriage bolts with lock nuts. They won’t shake loose mid-game.
Material cost for two boards runs under $100. Build time is 4 to 6 hours.
Regulation vs. Casual: The Honest Difference
Smaller boards exist. A 36×18-inch set is popular for travel or younger kids. Some sets go down to 24×12 inches for toddler-age play. Nothing wrong with those for fun.
The real issue shows up when someone spends months playing on a smaller casual set and then tries to compete on full regulation boards at 27 feet. The throwing distance feels completely foreign. Your arm has memorized the wrong arc.
If there’s any chance you’ll play in organized events, practice on regulation boards from the start. The muscle memory you build is tied directly to board size and throwing distance.
The Pitching Distance (Boards Are Only Part of the Setup)
A lot of people get perfect boards and then set them up at the wrong distance.
Adults pitch from 27 feet — measured from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the other. Players stand in a 4×3-foot box beside the board, not behind it.
For kids, bring that down to 12 to 15 feet. The game is supposed to be fun, not a workout.
Bags are 6×6 inches and weigh 1 pound each. One side fabric grips, the other slides. Which side faces up changes the shot — that’s intentional and part of the skill.
Scoring runs on cancellation: three points for a bag through the hole, one point for a bag resting on the board. Only the difference between the two teams’ scores counts each round.
The Mistakes That Actually Cost People
Centering the hole on the whole board. The hole is not in the middle. It’s up toward the top — 9 inches from the top, 21 inches from the bottom. If you center it, your bags arc over the hole instead of landing toward it.
Skipping pilot holes when building. Driving screws directly into plywood without pre-drilling causes splits at the edges. Takes five extra seconds per screw and saves the whole board.
Painting over rough plywood without sanding. Paint fills small grooves a little but not enough. Bags drag on rough surfaces instead of sliding naturally. Sand to at least 120 grit before any finish coat.
Ignoring the leg bolts after a few games. Vibration loosens them. Loose legs = uneven height = crooked slope. Check them a couple of times a season and tighten with a wrench.
Keeping Boards in Good Shape Long-Term
Wipe them down with mild soap after use and dry them off right away. Standing water is what warps wood, not humidity alone.
Store folded, covered, away from direct sun. UV breaks down polyurethane faster than rain does. Reseal once a year — it takes 20 minutes and adds years to the surface.
Sand rough patches as they show up instead of waiting. Small rough spots become big ones once bags start catching on them.
Don’t use talc powder or sticky resins on the surface. They affect how bags move and violate ACL rules in competition settings.
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Common Questions, Plain Answers
Are ACL and ACA board dimensions the same?
Yes. Both require 48×24 inches, a 6-inch hole, and a 27-foot pitching distance. No meaningful difference for the boards themselves.
Can I use a slightly off-size board in a tournament?
Most events allow ±¼ inch on most measurements. Anything beyond that risks getting your boards rejected at check-in. Measure before you show up, not after.
What wood is actually best for the surface?
Birch plywood. It’s smooth, it holds finish well, and bags slide consistently. Cabinet-grade is slightly better but costs more. Standard plywood works fine indoors or in covered spaces.
Do board dimensions change for kids?
The boards scale down — 24×12 inches works well for young kids. The pitching distance drops to 10 to 15 feet depending on age. The hole-to-board ratio stays roughly similar so the game feels proportional.
How heavy should boards be?
Around 25 to 30 pounds per board is the sweet spot. Light enough to carry, heavy enough to stay put on grass or pavement during play.
The One Thing to Lock In First
If you’re building — get the hole placement right before anything else. Measure twice, mark clearly, and drill slowly. Everything about how the game plays comes back to that 6-inch circle sitting exactly 9 inches from the top and centered side to side.
The rest of the dimensions matter, but that hole is the heart of the board. Nail that and the build falls into place from there.
I am the editor and author of StoriesRadius.com, a blog about measurements and dimensions. I enjoy turning numbers and sizes into simple stories that anyone can understand. From everyday objects to curious facts, I share clear guides based on real research and experience. My goal is to make learning about length, height, and size fun, useful, and easy for all readers.
