Many people have asked me about the height and width of a standard soccer goal. In this article, I’m going to lay out the dimensions of a goal in an easy-to-understand format, so you know what you’re looking at next time you see a soccer field.
A soccer goal is 8 feet tall (2.44 m) and 8 yards wide (7.32 m). The height of the goal is the distance measured from the ground to the lower edge of the crossbar, and the width is the distance measured between the inside of the two goalposts.
Because the goal is so crucial to the outcome of a game, it’s vital to know what to expect. However, the size of a goal can vary depending on the level of soccer a player is involved in.
After looking at the height and width of a soccer goal at a professional level, in this article, you’ll also discover:
- The size of a high school soccer goal
- The size of a youth soccer goal for various ages
- and what happens if something goes wrong with the goal
Dimensions of a Full Size Soccer Goal
At a professional level of soccer, the size of a soccer goal is always the same.
A professional soccer goal is always 8 feet tall (2.44 m) by 24 feet wide (7.32 m).
These dimensions are specified within the game’s official rules as outlined by the IFAB of who FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is part of.
The height and width of the goal have stayed the same over the years since soccer was invented, and the players consider the current dimensions to be ideal for the demands of modern-day soccer.
However, while the standard size of a soccer goal at a professional level is perfect for adults playing the game, the size can be a challenge for younger players.
For this reason, youth school goals are often smaller.
Size of a High School Soccer Goal
Although high school soccer players are not yet fully grown adults, the size of the goal they use is often the same as at the adult level.
The size of a high school soccer goal is 8 feet tall (2.44 m) by 24 feet wide (7.32 m).
The National Federation of High Schools (HFHS) requires all high schools to follow these requirements.
Although it may seem unnecessarily challenging to mandate high school players to use such a big goal, the idea is that it prepares them for the next stage of playing college or professional soccer.
The size of the goal is also why I recommend that goalie is the best position for a tall player on your team.
Similar to any 11v11 game, the rules for high school soccer also state that the goalposts must be between 4 and 5 inches in diameter.
Size of a Youth Soccer Goal
Once we get down to the youth level, the size of the goals begins to change.
To accommodate the smaller size of the players, the goals are reduced in size.
The minimum recommended size for a youth soccer goal is 4 feet tall by 6 feet wide. The maximum recommended size for a youth soccer goal is 8 feet tall (2.44 m) by 24 feet wide (7.32 m). The size of the goal will vary depending on the age of the players.
Size of a youth soccer goal by age:
| Age range | Recommended Size of Goal |
| U6 – U8 | 4-feet tall x 6-feet wide |
| U9 – U10 | 6-feet, 6-inches tall x 18-feet, 6-inches wide |
| U11 – U12 | 7-feet tall x 21-feet wide |
| U13+ | 8-feet tall x 24-feet wide |
Both the American Youth Soccer Organisation (AYSO) and US Youth Soccer recommend that youth soccer goals comply with these measurements as the maximum size of a goal during a game.
However, they do allow for variations in these sizes if necessary as long as it does not affect the quality of the soccer.
For more info on the rules of youth soccer, check out my article – Youth Soccer Rules (For All Ages).
Other Factors to Consider About Soccer Goals
Although width and height are probably the most important factor to be aware of when it comes to a soccer goal, other areas should also consider.
The Look of the Goal Posts and Crossbar
As entertaining as it would be to have various colors for the goalposts, the rules are specific when it comes to this area.
The goalposts and crossbar of a soccer goal must be white. No other color is permitted on any part of the frame.
The rules also specify the maximum width and depth of the frame.
The width and depth of the goalposts and the crossbar must not exceed 5 in (12 cm) at any point on the frame.
The shape of the frame must also fit into the specified requirements.
The goalposts and crossbar of both soccer goals must be the same shape and must be:
- square,
- rectangular,
- round,
- elliptical
- or a hybrid of the previous options
The Position of the Goal on the Field
You will have no doubt seen a soccer goal on the field.
The rules of soccer state that:
“A goal must be placed at the center of each goal line and consist of two vertical posts equidistant from the corner flagposts joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar.”
IFAB Rules of the Game
The lines at either end of the field are known as the “goal lines”. The two goal lines have a corner flag at either end, at the four corners of the field.
Although the goalposts must be equidistant from the corner flags, there is no specific distance the goalposts have to be from the flags.
This is because the width of a soccer field can vary.
As long as the width of the field fits within the minimum and maximum requirements as laid out in the rules, the distance of the goal from the edge of the field can be different from one field to another.
You can find out more in my article – How Big is a Soccer Field? Size and Dimensions.
What Happens When the Goalpost or Crossbar Breaks?
If you watch soccer for long enough, you may see a goal frame break during a game.
There are plans laid out for what to do if this rare event occurs.
The rules state that:
“If the crossbar becomes displaced or broken, play is stopped until it has been repaired or replaced in position. Play is restarted with a dropped ball. If it can not be repaired the match must be abandoned. A rope or any flexible or dangerous material may not replace the crossbar.”
IFAB Laws of the Game
If you have any influence over the running of a game, it is always useful to have a spare goal frame available. You may think a strong metal frame won’t break easily, but sometimes the most unlikely event happens!
There are plenty of options here on Amazon if you want to buy a goal, either for your backyard or as a backup for a youth soccer game!
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