Field hockey field dimensions are set by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) rules and used, with small variations, by high school and college programs in the US. The layout itself is simple. What makes field hockey different from most field sports is the surface: the game is played on short-pile turf that has to be exceptionally flat for the ball to roll true. That is why field hockey turf installation leans so heavily on base grading and installation precision.
Field hockey field dimensions and size
| Element | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Field length (sidelines) | 100 yd | 91.40 m |
| Field width (back lines) | 60 yd | 55.00 m |
| 25-yard / 23 m lines | 25 yd from each back line | 22.90 m |
| Shooting circle radius | 16 yd from each goal post | 14.63 m |
| Straight line joining the arcs | 4 yd | 3.66 m |
| Penalty spot | 7 yd from the goal line center | 6.475 m |
| Goal (inside width x height) | 4 yd x 7 ft | 3.66 m x 2.14 m |
| Line width | 3 in | 75 mm |
Run-off space beyond the lines is also part of a well-designed facility, giving players room to decelerate safely. Check the governing body for your level of play; the FIH Rules of Hockey include the full field diagram, and US high school and NCAA rules follow the same basic layout.
Field hockey field lines and markings
A field hockey field diagram includes these markings:
- Sidelines and back lines. The boundary; the portion of the back line between the goal posts is the goal line.
- Center line. Divides the field in half.
- 25-yard (23 m) lines. Mark the attacking zones and are used for restarts.
- Shooting circles. Also called the striking circle or the D. A goal only counts if the ball is played by an attacker inside the circle.
- Dashed line. A broken line 5 yards (5 m) outside each circle, used for free hits near the circle.
- Penalty spot. In front of each goal.
- Penalty corner marks. Short marks on the back line and sidelines that set where players line up for penalty corners and long corners.
On synthetic fields, these lines are usually inlaid during installation. On multi-sport fields, field hockey lines are often a separate color so they read clearly against soccer or lacrosse markings.
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Why field hockey needs a short, flat surface
A field hockey ball is small, hard and played along the ground at speed. Any bump, ridge or soft spot changes its path. That is why the modern game moved from grass to synthetic turf, and why competition surfaces use short, dense pile.
Sand-filled or sand-dressed turf
- Common at schools and multi-use facilities
- Sand supports fibers and reduces water use
- Plays somewhat slower than water-based turf
Water-based (unfilled) turf
- Very short, dense pile with no infill
- Irrigated before play for fast, consistent ball speed
- Used at top international and college levels
With short pile, there is no thick infill layer to hide imperfections in the base. FIH quality standards test ball roll, ball rebound and surface planarity, so the base must be graded to very tight tolerances. Many hockey fields also include a shock pad under the carpet for player comfort. If you are comparing surfaces for a broader athletic program, our look at NFL turf vs grass covers the larger debate.
Building a field hockey field that plays true
The key steps are a well-drained subgrade, a laser-graded and compacted stone base, careful seaming that leaves no ridges, and precise line inlay. Shared sites need extra planning: a field hockey pitch next to a baseball diamond, for example, needs a clean transition from the turf to the baseball infield mix so material does not migrate onto the hockey surface.
Experienced sports turf crews survey and verify grades before the carpet goes down. To plan a hockey or multi-sport field built to tight tolerances, get matched with an installer who has done it before.
Field hockey field dimensions FAQ
How big is a field hockey field?
A full-size field is 100 yards long and 60 yards wide (91.4 m by 55 m), plus run-off space around the boundary.
Is a field hockey field size the same as a soccer field?
No. A field hockey field is fixed at 100 by 60 yards, while soccer fields vary within a range and are usually longer and wider. The two often share a large synthetic field with separate lines.
How far is the shooting circle from the goal?
The circle is drawn with a 16-yard (14.63 m) radius from each goal post, so the top of the circle is 16 yards from the goal line.
Are hockey field dimensions different for ice hockey?
Yes. Ice hockey uses a rink with completely different dimensions. This page covers field hockey only.
The complete turf installation guide
What a quality install looks like, the eight installation steps, spec sheets, and how to choose an installer.