It’s halftime of the big game, and you’re curious about how long the field actually is.
You know it’s 100 yards long, but how deep and wide is it? You also want to know how high the end zones are, just in case you ever find yourself in one of those end zones.
Finally, you’re curious about the length of the goalposts. Surely they can’t be as tall as the posts on a regulation basketball court!
Table of Contents
How Long is a Football Field?
A general football field that you probably didn’t know you wanted to know: Length: 360 feet; Width: 160 feet; Depth of end zones: 10 yards (30 feet); Height of goalposts: 30 feet. But, the length of the football field varies on the level of play.
Now that you know all there is to know about the dimensions of a football field, you can impress your friends with your vast knowledge the next time you’re watching a game!
Length in Football Fields Varies
Taking a deeper dive, one thing you should know about the length of a football field is that it varies depending on the level of play.
While the minimum length of a field is 300 feet, the maximum length is 500 feet.
The width of the field also has a bit of wiggle room, as it can range from 50 to 100 yards (150-300 feet).
The size of the end zones also varies by league. For example, in high school football, the end zones are only 5 yards deep (15 feet), while in the NFL, they are 10 yards deep (30 feet).
Goalpost Height in Football
As for the height of the goalposts, they vary depending on the level of play.
In high school and college football, the posts must be 10 feet tall, while in the NFL, they must be 20 feet tall.
Professional Football Fields
When it comes to professional football, the field dimensions are pretty standard.
For example, all NFL fields must be between 360 and 400 feet long and between 160 and 200 feet wide. The depth of the end zones is also uniform, as they must be 10 yards (30 feet) deep.
Similarly, the goalposts must also be 20 feet tall across all professional leagues.
Variations in Football Field Dimensions
While the dimensions of a football field may vary depending on the level of play, there are also variations within each level.
For example, some high school football fields may be larger than others, and some NFL fields may be smaller than others.
You can say the same for the end zones’ depth and the height of the goalposts.
So, when it comes to the size of a football field, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. All of these depend on the play level and the organization or league.
College and High School Football Fields
College and high school football fields are slightly shorter, at 90 yards long and 40-50 yards wide, respectively.
The end zones are also shallower, at only 5 yards deep. And finally, the goalposts are shorter, at only 10 feet tall.
Canadian Football Fields
Canadian football fields are larger than those in the United States, as they must be 65 yards in width and 110 yards in length.
The end zones are also deeper, at 20 yards. And finally, the goalposts are taller, at 25 feet.
Arena Football Fields
Arena football fields are much smaller than traditional outdoor fields, as they must be 50 yards long and 28 yards wide.
The end zones are also shallower, at only 3 yards. And finally, the goalposts are shorter, at 8 feet.
Youth Football Fields
Youth football fields are the smallest, measuring 80 yards in length and 40 yards in width. The end zones are also the shallowest, at only 3 yards deep.
And finally, the goalposts are the shortest, at only 6 feet tall.
In high school and college football, the posts must be 10 feet tall, while in the NFL, they must be 20 feet tall.
Important Football Markers
NFL players are taller than those in other leagues. And it just so happens that the goalposts are higher for the NFL (20’6”) than for high school (17’).
The height of a field’s goalposts can also differ from one side to another during games because of weather conditions.
And finally, while international rules call for 12-foot-high goalposts as well as four 6×12 inch slots on each 40-yard line marked 18 yards deep where outside kickoffs take place — these surfaces are not required by U.S.A Football Rules semiprofessional and below levels of football.
In general, the football field’s playing surface is 100 yards long and 53.3 yards wide. A midfield line divides the field into two halves.
You’ll also see end zones in both field ends, which have a depth of 10 yards. Including the end zones, the field’s total length is 120 yards.
The width of the field includes two sidelines that are each 30 yards wide.
The goal line to goal line distance of a standard professional football field is also known as the field’s length.
A football field measures 360 feet or 120 yards from both end zones.
The width of a football field from sideline to sideline is generally between 53-58 yards or 160-180 feet.
There are also two end zones on a football field, each measuring 10 yards in depth.
In total, a football field covers an area of approximately one and a half acres or 66,000 square feet.
To put it another way, a football field is about the size of two standard city blocks.
Frequently Asked Questions about How Long a Football Field is
What’s the size of a football field?
A standard American football field is 360 ft long and 160 ft wide. Each of the end zones measures 10 yards in length, and the field is 100 yards long. The width of an American Football Field (in feet) is 53.3. The football field is 3600 square ft.
How deep are the football fields’ end zones?
A football field’s end zones measure 10 yards in depth.
How high are the goalposts in football?
The goalposts in football are 20 feet high.
Why are there different football field lengths?
The length of a football field can vary depending on the play level. For example, youth football fields are typically 80 yards long, while professional football fields are at least 100 yards long. The football field is also typically between 53-58 yards or 160-180 feet wide.
What are the various football field types?
There are six distinct styles of football fields. These include Professional, Canadian, College, High school, Youth, and Arena.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the size of a football field can vary depending on the play level. But, you should follow some general guidelines.
For example, all professional football fields must be between 360 and 400 feet long and between 160 and 200 feet wide.
The depth of the end zones is also uniform, as they must be 10 yards (30 feet) deep. And finally, the goalposts must also be 20 feet tall across all professional leagues.
So, when it comes to the size of a football field, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It largely depends on the play level and the organization or league.