Also known as corn toss, bean bag toss, baggo, and bags — here is everything you need to know about cornhole equipment, court dimensions, distance, rules, and scoring.
Cornhole is one of the most popular outdoor games in the United States. With simple rules and gameplay suitable for all ages and abilities, it has become a staple of tailgating, backyard BBQs, family reunions, and competitive tournaments. The game requires minimal equipment and can be played almost anywhere — but official play follows standardized guidelines for equipment, court layout, gameplay, and scoring.
A complete cornhole game set consists of two cornhole boards and four bags per player (eight bags total, in two colors so points are easy to tell apart).
Board size
24" × 48"
Width × length of each board
Hole diameter
6"
Centered on the board width
Hole position
9" from top
Top edge to hole center
Back edge height
12"
Front edge sits 2.5–4 inches
Official boards are built from wood with a smooth, blemish-free surface so bags slide predictably. For full measurements and a labeled diagram, see our cornhole board size & dimensions guide.
Learn more on our custom cornhole bags page.
A regulation cornhole court is at least 10 feet wide by 45 feet long, on level ground. The two boards face each other, and the most important measurement is the distance between them.
Cornhole is played as singles (one vs. one) or doubles (two vs. two). Players alternate tossing bags one at a time until all eight bags have been thrown, then the round (called an inning) is scored.
Cornhole uses cancellation scoring — points from each team cancel out, and only the difference is awarded to the leading team each inning. The first player or team to reach 21 points or more wins. For the full rulebook, fouls, and detailed scoring examples, read our official cornhole rules page. Running an event? Grab our printable cornhole tournament brackets.
Cornhole's exact origins are debated. One legend traces it to a 14th-century German farmer who created cloth satchels filled with dried corn as a safer alternative to children throwing rocks at a hole in the ground. Another credits Midwestern American farmers in the early 1900s, with the first documented modern games played on Cincinnati's west side. Either way, the original corn-filled cloth bags eventually gave way to today's durable canvas bags filled with plastic pellets — and the tailgate favorite we know today.
Regulation cornhole boards are 24 inches wide by 48 inches long (2 ft × 4 ft), with a 6-inch hole centered 9 inches from the top edge and 12 inches from each side.
For adult regulation play the boards are set 27 feet apart, measured from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the other. Junior play uses 21 feet.
Regulation cornhole bags are 6 inches by 6 inches and weigh approximately 16 ounces (1 pound). They are filled with plastic resin pellets — corn is no longer used.
The first player or team to reach 21 points or more wins. You don't need to land on exactly 21 — going over is fine.
Every Custom Corntoss set is built to official regulation specifications. Design your boards and bags exactly how you want them.
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