The size of a lacrosse field depends on whether men’s or women’s rules apply. A men’s field is 110 yards long and 60 yards wide, while women’s fields are typically larger, with rules allowing up to 120 by 70 yards. Because so many schools and clubs run both programs on one surface, line planning is a big part of building a lacrosse turf field, especially deciding which markings get tufted in permanently and which get painted.
Size of a lacrosse field at a glance
| Feature | Men’s lacrosse | Women’s lacrosse |
|---|---|---|
| Field length | 110 yards | Commonly 110 to 120 yards |
| Field width | 60 yards | Commonly 60 to 70 yards |
| Goal placement | Goal lines 15 yards from each end line (80 yards apart) | Goal lines set per rulebook, with space behind each goal |
| Goal size | 6 x 6 feet | 6 x 6 feet |
| Crease | 9-foot radius circle | Goal circle around each goal |
| Key scoring markings | Restraining lines, wing lines, defensive and attack areas | 8-meter arc, 12-meter fan, restraining lines, center circle |
Youth and high school variations exist, and governing bodies update rules. USA Lacrosse, the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations publish the official specifications, so field builders work from the current edition for the program that will use the field.
Men’s lacrosse field lines
- Midfield line divides the field in half, with a center X or faceoff spot.
- Wing lines on each side of the faceoff spot, parallel to the sidelines, where wing midfielders line up for faceoffs.
- Restraining lines run sideline to sideline 20 yards from midfield, marking the boundary that limits how many players can be in each end.
- Attack and defensive areas form the box between the restraining line, end line and box lines on each end.
- Goal crease is a circle around each goal that attackers cannot enter.
- Substitution and team areas are marked along one sideline.
Women’s lacrosse field lines
Women’s lacrosse puts more markings around each goal and uses fewer sideline-to-sideline features than the men’s layout.
- Goal circle around each goal, which only the goalkeeper may occupy under most circumstances.
- 8-meter arc and 12-meter fan in front of each goal, used to position players for free positions and to manage shooting space.
- Restraining lines across the field at each end, limiting the number of players in the attacking area.
- Center circle and center line for the draw.
Because the arcs and fans sit right where men’s creases and box lines are, a shared field ends up with overlapping markings in front of each goal. Color coding keeps them readable.
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Planning men’s and women’s lines on one turf field
Painted lines
- Flexible; can be changed between seasons
- Must be repainted on a schedule
- Good for less-used sports on the field
Inlaid lines
- Tufted permanently into the carpet
- No repainting, consistent appearance
- Best for the primary sports on the field
- Must be planned before the carpet is manufactured
A common approach is to inlay football and soccer lines plus one lacrosse layout, then paint the other. On fields where both programs are equally busy, both lacrosse layouts may be inlaid in different colors. The wider women’s field can also dictate the overall footprint, so check widths before finalizing a design. Comparing with other sports helps; see rugby pitch dimensions and flag football field dimensions if those programs share the surface.
Pro tip: Leave adequate runoff space beyond the end lines and sidelines. Lacrosse play often continues behind the goal, so space behind each end line matters.
Building a lacrosse-ready surface
Lacrosse is played fast and low, so a flat, well-drained surface with consistent ball roll matters. Laser-graded stone, accurate line layout and tight seams are what keep a field playing true. If your school or club is planning a new surface, connect with experienced crews for professional turf installation who can work from your rulebook requirements.
Lacrosse field dimensions FAQ
How big is a lacrosse field?
A men’s field is 110 by 60 yards. Women’s fields are commonly 110 to 120 yards long and 60 to 70 yards wide, depending on the rule set.
What are the women’s lacrosse field dimensions?
Women’s fields are usually larger than men’s, with rules allowing up to roughly 120 by 70 yards, plus an 8-meter arc and 12-meter fan in front of each goal.
What do the lacrosse field lines mean?
Lines mark the midfield, restraining areas, wing positions for faceoffs (men’s), goal creases or circles, and scoring arcs (women’s). Each controls where players may be during play.
Can men’s and women’s lacrosse share one turf field?
Yes. Many fields carry both layouts, usually in different colors, with the most-used lines inlaid and others painted.
The complete turf installation guide
What a quality install looks like, the eight installation steps, spec sheets, and how to choose an installer.