The playing surface
The top is 48 by 24 inches. That is the dimension that matters for play, and it is why finished boards built on a 2x4 frame are slightly wider and longer at the base than the surface above them if the frame is built around the top rather than under it.
The hole is 6 inches in diameter. Its center sits 9 inches from the back edge of the board and is centered across the 24-inch width, which puts the center of the hole 12 inches from each side.
| Element | Measurement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Board top | 48 in long x 24 in wide | Playing surface dimension |
| Hole diameter | 6 in | Round cutout |
| Hole center placement | 9 in from back edge, centered on width | 12 in from each side |
| Front edge height | 2.5 to 3.5 in | Range is part of the rule |
| Back edge height | 12 in | Sets the slope |
| Bag | 6 x 6 in, 15.5 to 16.5 oz | 4 bags per side |
| Pitcher's box | 3 ft x 4 ft beside each board | Front edge of board is the foul line |
Height and slope
The front edge should be between 2.5 and 3.5 inches above the ground and the back edge should be 12 inches above the ground. The range at the front is part of the published rule, so a board at 3 inches and a board at 3.5 inches are both legal.
That difference in height across 48 inches is what gives the board its slope. A board that sits too flat holds bags near the hole but kills roll; a board that sits too steep sends slides through the back. If your legs are adjustable, set the rear height first and check the front measurement afterward.
Bags and the rest of the lane
Bags are 6 by 6 inches and weigh between 15.5 and 16.5 ounces. Each side plays with 4 bags, so a full set is 8 bags in two colors.
The lane itself is defined by the 27-foot front-edge-to-front-edge distance, with a pitcher's box 3 feet wide and 4 feet long beside each board. The front edge of the board is the foul line for the player throwing from that end.
Board stamps for sanctioned play
For ACL State-level and higher competition, a board stamp requirement takes effect on October 1, 2026. If you are buying boards intended for sanctioned events beyond that date, confirm the stamp status with the manufacturer before purchase rather than assuming that meeting the dimensions is sufficient.
Backyard, league, and social play are unaffected by that requirement. A board built to the dimensions above plays the same regardless of whether it carries a stamp.
A few common questions
Is the hole 9 inches from the top of the board or from the center?
Neither. The center of the hole is 9 inches from the back edge of the board, measured along the length, and centered across the 24-inch width.
Does a 2x4 board count as regulation?
Only if the playing surface measures 48 by 24 inches. Boards sold as 2x4 feet are the same thing described in feet, but smaller tailgate boards, often 2x3 feet, are not regulation size.