How Far Apart Are Cornhole Boards?
You’ve got the boards out of the garage, the bags are ready, and someone asks the question every backyard game starts with: how far apart are cornhole boards supposed to go? Somebody paces off a few big steps, someone else argues it should be farther, and the game starts with a guess.
You don’t need to guess. The official answer to how far apart are cornhole boards is 27 feet, measured from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the other. This guide explains where that number comes from, how to measure it, when a shorter distance makes sense, and the core cornhole rules that go with a proper setup.
The Official Cornhole Distance: 27 Feet
Under standard tournament rules, the boards sit 27 feet apart, front edge to front edge. That’s the distance used in organized play, and it’s the one you’ll see in most official rulebooks.
Here’s how that breaks down:
- Front edge to front edge: 27 feet
- Back edge to back edge: 35 feet (each board is 4 feet long, so you add 8 feet)
- Board facing: The boards face each other, with the low front edges pointing toward the center of the court
The front edge matters because it also acts as the foul line. When you throw, your feet can’t cross the front of the board on your side. So when someone asks “how far are cornhole boards apart,” they mean the gap between those two foul lines.
How to Measure Cornhole Distance the Right Way
Pacing it off gets you close to how far apart are cornhole boards in official play, but it’s not accurate. A tape measure takes two minutes and saves a lot of arguing.
What You Need
- A tape measure at least 30 feet long (a 25-foot tape works if you mark a midpoint)
- A friend to hold the other end
- Something to mark spots on the ground, like chalk, tape, or a small stake
Step-by-Step Setup
- Place the first board. Set it where you want one end of the court. Make sure the ground is flat and the board sits steady.
- Mark the front edge. Find the center of the board’s front edge. This is your starting point.
- Measure 27 feet straight out. Run the tape from that center point straight toward where the second board will go.
- Place the second board. Line up the center of its front edge with your 27-foot mark. The boards should face each other.
- Check alignment. Stand behind one board and look down the court. The holes should line up on a straight line. If one board is angled, shift it until both sit square.
No Tape Measure? Try This
If you’re at a park or a tailgate with no tape, an average adult step covers about 2.5 feet. Around 11 normal steps gets you near 27 feet. It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough for a casual game. If you can, measure your own stride once at home so you know your number.
How Far Apart Are Cornhole Boards for Kids and Beginners?
The 27-foot distance is built for adults who play often. For kids, new players, or a relaxed party game, a shorter court keeps things fun and keeps bags landing on the boards instead of in the grass.
Many families and casual leagues use these distances:
| Player Group | Suggested Distance (Front to Front) |
|---|---|
| Official and tournament play | 27 feet |
| Casual adult play | 21 to 27 feet |
| Teens and new players | About 21 feet |
| Young kids | 12 to 15 feet |
There’s no strict rule for kid-sized play. A good approach is to start at 27 feet and move the boards in by about 3 feet at a time until players land bags on the board on a regular basis. The goal is a challenge that still feels winnable.
If you’re wondering how far are cornhole boards supposed to be apart for a younger crowd, think of the 27-foot mark as the target to grow into, not a starting point.
How Much Space Do You Need for a Cornhole Court?
Knowing how far apart are cornhole boards is only part of the picture. You also need room for players to stand and throw without bumping into fences, chairs, or the grill.
Plan for this much space:
- Length: About 40 feet total. That covers the 27-foot gap, both boards, and a few feet behind each board for players.
- Width: About 8 to 10 feet. Players stand beside the boards, not behind them, so you need room on both sides.
Flat ground matters more than you’d think. A board that rocks or sits on a slope changes how bags slide. Short grass, a patio, or a driveway all work. If you play on uneven ground often, shims or adjustable legs help level things out.
Official Cornhole Board Specs
The question of how far apart are cornhole boards covers one part of a regulation court. The boards themselves have set measurements too. If you’re buying or building a set, here’s what to look for:
| Spec | Regulation Measurement |
|---|---|
| Board size | 24 inches wide by 48 inches long |
| Hole size | 6 inches in diameter |
| Hole position | Centered 9 inches from the top edge, 12 inches from each side |
| Front edge height | 3 to 4 inches off the ground |
| Back edge height | 12 inches off the ground |
| Bag size | About 6 by 6 inches |
| Bag weight | 15 to 16 ounces |
| Bags per game | 8 total, 4 per team in two colors |
Cheaper party sets often come in smaller sizes, like 2 by 3 feet. They’re fine for kids or tight spaces, but they play in a different way. If you want your practice to match a league or tournament, stick with the 2-by-4-foot size.
Basic Cornhole Rules You Should Know
Once the boards are set, the rules are simple. Here’s a quick guide to the core cornhole rules used in most games.
The Pitcher’s Box and Foul Line
Each board has a pitcher’s box on both sides. It’s a space about 4 feet long and 3 feet wide, running alongside the board. Players must throw from inside this box.
- Your feet can’t step past the front edge of the board when you release the bag. That’s a foul, and the bag doesn’t count.
- In each round, players on the same end stand on opposite sides of the board.
Singles vs. Doubles
- Singles: Both players stand at the same board and throw toward the far board. After each round, they walk to the other end and throw back.
- Doubles: Teammates stand at opposite boards. One player from each team throws from each end, so nobody has to walk.
Taking Turns
Players alternate throws until each has thrown all four bags. That completes one round, which some players call an inning.
Scoring
Cornhole scoring is easy once you see it in action:
- Bag in the hole: 3 points
- Bag on the board: 1 point
- Bag hanging over the hole edge: 1 point until it falls in
- Bag that hits the ground first: 0 points, even if it bounces onto the board
- Bag hanging off the board and touching the ground: 0 points
Cancellation Scoring
This is the rule that confuses new players. In standard play, only the difference between the two teams counts each round.
For example, if your team scores 5 points in a round and the other team scores 3, your team gets 2 points. If both teams score the same, nobody gets points that round.
Winning the Game
The first team to reach 21 points or more at the end of a round wins. Under common tournament rules, there’s no need to win by 2. Some backyard games use a “bust” rule, where going over 21 sends you back down to a lower score, but that’s a house rule, not an official one.
Common Setup Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the right cornhole distance, a few small errors can throw off your game:
- Measuring from the holes or back edges. The official measurement runs front edge to front edge. Measuring from the holes or the back gives you the wrong spacing.
- Boards that aren’t lined up. If one board points off to the side, every throw has to correct for it.
- Setting up on a slope. Bags slide farther downhill and stop short uphill. Pick the flattest spot you can find.
- No room to stand. Players need space beside the boards. Don’t push the court up against a fence or a wall.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
How far are cornhole boards supposed to be apart in a tournament?
27 feet from front edge to front edge. That’s the standard in organized play.
Is 27 feet measured from the hole?
No. You measure from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the other. The holes end up farther apart than 27 feet.
How far apart are cornhole boards for a casual backyard game?
Closer than 27 feet is fine. For casual games, kids, or beginners, any distance that keeps the game fun works. Move the boards in by a few feet at a time until it feels right.
What’s the distance from back to back?
35 feet, since each regulation board adds 4 feet to the 27-foot gap between the front edges.
Set Up Right and Enjoy the Game
The next time someone asks how far apart are cornhole boards, you’ll have a clear answer: 27 feet, front edge to front edge. Grab a tape measure, line the boards up straight, find flat ground, and you’ve got a court that matches what the pros use.
For a relaxed family game, don’t be afraid to move the boards closer. The right cornhole distance is the one that keeps everyone playing, and a game where bags land on the board is a lot more fun than one where everyone misses.
Key Takeaways
- The official answer to how far apart are cornhole boards is 27 feet, measured from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the other.
- Back edge to back edge, regulation boards sit 35 feet apart because each board is 4 feet long.
- The front edge of each board acts as the foul line. Players can’t step past it while throwing.
- For kids and beginners, a shorter distance works well. Around 21 feet suits teens and new players, and 12 to 15 feet suits young kids.
- Plan for a space about 40 feet long and 8 to 10 feet wide, on flat ground, so players have room beside each board.
- Regulation boards measure 24 by 48 inches, with a 6-inch hole centered 9 inches from the top. Bags weigh 15 to 16 ounces.
- Under standard cornhole rules, a bag in the hole scores 3 points, a bag on the board scores 1, and only the difference between teams counts each round.
- The first team to reach 21 or more at the end of a round wins, with no need to win by 2 in standard play.
