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Last Updated on August 11, 2022 by UDC Sports

In America, football is king. And no matter how you slice it, the playing field for this sport is massive.

But just how long is a football field? We’re about to break it all down for you.

From end zones to widths, we’ve got the measurements covered. So get ready to dominate your next trivia night!

Football Fields

American football was developed in the late 1800s as a variation of rugby and soccer. The first American football game was played on November 6, 1869, between Rutgers and Princeton, using rules based on soccer at the time.

A football field is also called a gridiron.

In a 1911 issue of Outdoor Sports and Games, sports writer Claude H. Miller forever cemented the term “gridiron” to this new-fangled sport when he wrote: “The lines on a football field make a checkerboard effect and have given to the field the name of ‘gridiron.’” And what a fitting name it is! Just like a game of checkers, football is all about strategy. Every move must be carefully planned in order to achieve victory.

The gridiron is where battles are won and lost, and it’s where legends are made. So next time you’re watching your favorite team take the field, remember that they’re not just playing on grass or turf – they’re playing on the gridiron.

A picture How Long Is A Football Field? We'll Break It Down of with Republic Sports

The Measurements

The playing surface is rectangular and measures 120 yards long by 53.3 yards wide. This is 360 feet long and 160 feet wide.

The football field main playing surface is 100 yards long. The width of the playing surface is 53.3 yards wide. This is 300 feet long and 160 feet wide.

There are two ten-yard (30-foot) end zones at each end of the field, which are used for scoring touchdowns or PATs (point after touchdowns).

Lines on the field help players and officials keep track of where they are on the field. Hash marks are located on the field at 1-yard intervals, and there are also lines marking the 5 and 10-yard intervals that go across the field. There is a white stripe located at midfield which denotes the 50-yard line. Which is also where the home team logo is (usually).

A picture How Long Is A Football Field? We'll Break It Down of with Republic Sports

The 20-yard line is also a key distance marker on a football field. The 20-yard line is also known as the “Red Zone’. This area of the football field is where teams are likely to score points.

It gets its name from the fact that the offense is in a dangerous position when they are near this line. The defense must be extra vigilant in order to prevent the other team from scoring. Often, the offense will try to use strong running plays to gain yardage quickly. They may also attempt to throw the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. Either way, it’s crucial for the defense to hold their ground and keep the other team from scoring.

What About The Goal Posts?

NFL and NCAA football field goal posts are 18 feet, 6 inches wide, and the crossbar is 10 feet off the ground. The uprights extend 20 feet above the crossbar. Giving the goal posts a total height of 30 feet. High school football goalposts have similar measurements but are 23 feet, 4 inches wide.

In order for a field goal to be successful, the ball must go through the uprights and over the crossbar.

So there you have it: everything you ever wanted to know about football field dimensions.

UDC Sports

UDC Sports is a premier provider of sports field and facility construction services with over 20 years of experience. We are experts in all aspects of sports facility construction, from site preparation to drainage to turf installation, regardless of the sport. We stay up-to-date with the latest industry standards and practices, and our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is unwavering, as evidenced by our 100% client satisfaction rating. With years of experience in product selection and project management, UDC Sports combines state-of-the-art construction materials and methods with a creative approach to turning client visions into reality. Whether you're building a 10,000 seat stadium or a backyard batting cage, we're here to make sure your vision is accomplished.