Section 3: Playing Area
The Field
The NFL playing field is a rectangle with the following dimensions:
- Overall length: 120 yards (109.7 m) — 100-yard playing field plus two 10-yard end zones (Rule 1)
- Width: 53 1/3 yards (48.8 m) (Rule 1)
- Surface: Natural grass or approved artificial turf (the NFL has encouraged a transition toward natural grass for player safety; as of 2025, most stadiums use natural grass or hybrid surfaces) (Rule 1)
Field Markings
- Yard lines: Marked every 5 yards across the width of the field, numbered every 10 yards from each goal line to the 50-yard line (Rule 1)
- Hash marks: Short lines at 1-yard intervals between the yard lines, positioned 70 feet 9 inches from each sideline. All plays begin on or between the hash marks (Rule 1).
- Goal line: The front edge of the goal line is the boundary of the end zone. A ball that breaks the plane of the goal line while in a player's possession is a touchdown (Rule 1).
- End line: The back boundary of each end zone, 10 yards behind the goal line (Rule 1)
Goal Posts
- Positioned at the center of the end line (back of the end zone) (Rule 1)
- Crossbar height: 10 feet (3.05 m) above the ground (Rule 1)
- Uprights: 18 feet 6 inches (5.64 m) apart, extending at least 30 feet above the crossbar (Rule 1)
- A ribbon attached to the top of each upright to assist officials in judging field goal attempts (Rule 1)
Team Areas
Each team occupies one sideline. The team area extends from the 32-yard line to the 32-yard line (a solid white border marks this area). Coaches, substitutes, and team personnel must remain within the designated team area during play except when entering the field for substitution (Rule 1).