If your ultimate goal in reading this article is to get the accurate and standard football goal post size, you are in the right place.
Soccer is a sport played by two teams of eleven players where a ball is kicked or headed into a goal post.
With 90 minutes of the allotted time (excluding extras), the center of attention is always the goals and, in rare cases (like scouting programs), the players themselves. For example, goals are so important in today’s football that fans stake on some Top Canadian Betting platforms if a team would score or not.
As a soccer player or soccer enthusiast, it’s important to be apprised of the exact size and dimensions of the goal used during play.
Standard football goal post size
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) set the model for a standard soccer goalpost which must be 24 feet wide and 8 feet tall.
A standard soccer goal consists of two vertical goalposts joined by one horizontal goalpost.
This model means that the space between the vertical posts is 24 feet, and the horizontal post must be 8 feet away from the ground.
Standard goalposts are often made of a blend of heavy gauge steel and aluminum, with the steel measuring anywhere from four to five inches thick.
Soccer goal size and dimensions vary based on the factor of the level of play and age.
All football competitions today use this regulation of soccer goal dimensions in all FIFA-regulated clubs and competitions worldwide.
Youth Football Goal Post Size
Below is a table showing different goal dimensions for different age groups and levels of football.
| AGE GROUP | TYPE | HEIGHT OF GOAL POST | WIDTH OF GOAL POST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6-8 | 5v5 | 4 feet (1.2192 meters) | 8 feet (2.4384 meters) |
| Under 9-10 | 7v7 | 6.5 feet (1.9812 meters) | 18.5 feet (5.6388 meters) |
| Under 11-12 | 9v9 | 7.5 feet (2.28600 meters) | 21 feet (6.4008 meters) |
| Under 13-18 | 11v11 | 8 feet (2.4384 meters) | 24 feet (7.3152 meters) |
| Over 18 ages | 11v11 | 8 feet (2.4384 meters) | 24 feet (7.3152 meters) |
As mentioned earlier, all soccer goals do not have the same dimensions. The level of play and age are key determinant factors.
The goal dimensions used by youth players are not as wide and are much shorter than professional goals.
However, there are different youth age groups, and the age groups determine the goal size.
Despite the recommended dimensions for a goal, the size of a soccer goal can be adjusted for a child playing.
This adjustment is because the recommended sizes are not law (only in competitions and tournaments), and they can be adjusted when need be for a child to play and learn in a safe environment.
After noting the recommended dimensions of a soccer goalpost, you also need to consider the actual size of the goalpost when calculating the dimensions of a soccer goal.
The width is measured from the inside of the goalpost, and the height is measured from the bottom of the horizontal post.
Indoor Soccer Goal Post Size
However, if you are playing football indoors, the goals will be smaller, and the dimensions will be different from outdoor goalposts.
For example, an average indoor soccer goalpost will measure 14 feet (4.2672 meters) wide and 8 feet (2.4384 meters) tall.
FIFA’s Standard
Below is how FIFA defines a soccer goal:
“A goal consists of two vertical posts equidistant from the corner flag posts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goalposts and crossbar must be made of approved material. They must be square, rectangular, round, or elliptical in shape and must not be dangerous. 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)… the goalposts and the crossbar must be white and have the same width and depth, which must not exceed 12 cm (5 ins).”
FIFA
The dimensions above are provided for in the standard rule derived from Law 1 of the 17 Laws of the Game called “The Field of Play.”
The size of the soccer goal depends on what competition you are playing at and how old you are.
Conclusion
To reiterate, the standard football goal post size is 24 feet wide and 8 feet tall.
In essence, the football goal post width is 24 feet (7.3 meters) and the height is 8 feet (2.4 meters).
However, if you are curious as to why the soccer goal post dimension is the way it is, this video below may be helpful.
What do you think of the Soccer goal post dimension?
Further Reading:
- How Is Possession Calculated In Football? [Expert Answer]
- The New Champions League Format: Good Or Bad Move For Football?
- How Is The Man Of The Match Award Decided In Football?
- Why Do Soccer Players Fake Injuries?
- Why Do Goalkeepers Walk Out Second After The Captain?
