If you are a football fan, you are familiar with the various markings and items used on the field throughout the game.
A football goal post is one of those important items needed to play the game.
Although most football fans can tell you what the goal post is used for, not many people know its size and dimensions.
I have put together this article to show you the exact size of a football goal post.
Football goal post dimensions
There are 2 goal posts used on a football field which are placed on the line at the back of the end zone on each end of the field.
These goalposts have a horizontal bar known as a crossbar with two vertical uprights where the football is kicked through.
The crossbar is placed 10 feet off the ground and is 18.6 feet long. The vertical uprights are 25 feet tall and measure 35 feet from the ground to the top of the upright.
In professional football leagues like the NFL, the goalposts measure 18 feet 6 inches apart.
In high school goal posts are 23 feet 4 inches apart.
Football goal post placement
As mentioned, both goalposts on a football field are placed on the line at the back of the end zone at each end.
They are placed exactly in the center of the end line.
In certain leagues, the placement may vary. For example, the goal post may be placed on the goal line.
But in the NFL or the National Football League, the placement of the goalposts is standard on the end line at the back of the end zone.
Football fields are 160 feet wide and therefore the goalposts would be placed about 80 feet across the end line dividing the line in 2 equal parts.
What is a goal post used for?
The term “upright” is commonly used in football which is just another word for goalposts.
The main purpose of the goal post is for the kicker to kick the ball through to score points.
A field goal is worth 3 points when the ball is kicked through the uprights.
A single point is also scored when the ball is kicked through the uprights after a touchdown is scored.
This is known as a PAT or point after touchdown.
A touchdown is worth 6 points and the point after a touchdown makes it worth 7 points.
In professional football leagues like the NFL, the goalposts measure 18 feet 6 inches apart.
History of football goal posts
Over the years, the goalposts on a football field have changed. In 1912, the first end zones were introduced.
Initially, the goalposts were placed on the goal lines but as you can imagine, they interfered with scoring plays and were simply in the way.
So in 1927, the goalposts were moved to the end of the field at the back of the end zones.
In college football leagues, the placement of the goalposts at the end lines has never changed since 1927.
But in the NFL, the goalposts were moved back to the front of the end zone and placed on the goal line in 1933 where they stayed until 1974.
Again in 1974, the goalposts were moved back to the end lines where they remain today.
