What Should the Cornhole Distance Be?
Eric CarrollWhy the 27‑Foot Rule Exists
Cornhole is not darts—you are propelling a 15‑ounce resin bag downrange. Too little runway and loft overwhelms accuracy; too much and casual players can’t land the flat, spinning throw that glides a bag up the board. Through league testing, both the American Cornhole League (ACL) and American Cornhole Association (ACA) settled on twenty‑seven feet because it balances arc, velocity, and spectator space better than any other distance.
Regulation Cornhole Distance, Line‑by‑Line
- Adult play (foul‑line): 27 ft from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the opposing board.
- Junior/adaptive play: 12–15 ft, agreed upon by both sides.
- Hole‑to‑hole span: 33 ft.
- Horizontal clearance: 8–10 ft so a player can swing without clipping shins—or pints.
- Court length: 40–45 ft, providing a full stride behind each board.
- Indoor ceiling clearance: 12 ft minimum; bags climb higher than you think.
Measuring Like a Pro
- Use a 30‑ft steel tape. Fabric tapes sag; laser tools mis‑read in strong sun.
- Hook the tape on the front lip of the nearest board—never from the leg.
- Walk the line, press the tape to the ground, and set the second board at exactly 27 ft. A rubber mallet handles micro‑adjustments.
- Mark the foul line. Painter’s tape on concrete or a chalk snap‑line on grass keeps toes honest.
- Lock both boards with turf staples or non‑marring rubber feet to prevent creep.
Backyard Variations & House Rules
Not every gathering demands pro spacing. Short on patio real estate? Drop to 24 ft; bags still behave but guests aren’t weaving around furniture. Playing with kids? Shift to 15 ft so they can master flat‑bag mechanics without shot‑putting.
Whatever you do, keep the board pitch—twelve inches of rear height on a four‑foot deck. Altering both pitch and distance in the same session turns muscle memory to mush.
Laying Out a Full Cornhole Court
Think of a cornhole lane the way you frame a billiards table: surround it with walk‑space to prevent interference.
| Element | Specification | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Board size | 48 in × 24 in (± ⅛ in) | Uniform surface lets bag spin predictably. |
| Pitcher’s box | 3 ft × 4 ft on each sideline | Keeps elbows clear of spectators—much like a pool shooter’s stance box. |
| Sideline buffer | ≥ 2 ft each side | Avoids accidental board nudges. |
| Multi‑court gap | ≥ 10 ft | Prevents stray bags from crossing lanes. |
Distance Pitfalls (and Fixes)
Boards Creep Closer as Bags Land
Add low‑profile rubber feet or wedge half‑pound sandbags behind each leg.
Players Step Over the Foul Line
Paint a two‑inch stripe; any foot touching color is a foul—no debates.
Yard Slopes Downhill—Bags Skid Long
Shim the downhill legs with composite shims until a bubble level reads less than one degree of side‑to‑side pitch.
Night Games Mis‑Measure
Install two solar stake lights exactly 27 ft apart; darkness is no excuse for eyeballing.
Why a Pool‑Table Atelier Talks Cornhole
Craft is craft. Whether we are hand‑lapping Italian slate or advising how far to park your cornhole boards, the constants are precision, repeatability, and materials that age gracefully. A crooked setup robs both billiards and cornhole of their charm—and turns friendly wagers into arguments. We would rather see you focus on perfect bag rotation than second‑guess your tape measure.
FAQ
- How far apart should cornhole boards be?
- Regulation distance is 27 ft (8.23 m) measured from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the other for adult play.
- What is the junior cornhole distance?
- For players twelve and under—or anyone needing an adaptive setup—place the boards 12–15 ft apart.
- Does the 27‑foot rule include the length of the boards?
- Yes. Measure from the leading edge of one playing surface to the leading edge of the other. The board length itself (48 in) sits outside that span.
- Can I shorten the distance for backyard play?
- Absolutely. Many hosts shift to 24 ft for tight patios, but understand you’re stepping outside ACL and ACA standards for tournament practice.