What is cornhole? Explanation of the cornhole game, rules & equipment

Introduction: what exactly is cornhole?

Cornhole is a popular outdoor game in which players throw fabric bags at a raised wooden board with one goal: to score as many points as possible by getting the bag on the board (1 point) or in the hole (3 points). The cornhole game is easy to learn, but has enough depth to remain fun for years – from casual garden parties to official tournaments.

In this comprehensive guide you’ll discover everything about cornhole: the rules, dimensions, equipment, game formats, and why it’s growing so quickly worldwide.

Want to dive in right away? Also read: cornhole for beginners, overview of rules & scoring and accessibility & inclusivity. Or visit our Cornhole Hub.

How does the cornhole game work?

A standard game of cornhole is played with two boards and eight bags (four per player or team). The boards face each other and players take turns trying to throw a bag onto the board or into the hole. The game is usually played to 21 points with cancellation scoring.

Objective of the game

The goal is to score more points than your opponent by:

1 point – bag on the board;
3 points – bag in the hole.

In each round the points are offset against each other. Only the team that scores higher in that round adds points to their total.

How many players?

Cornhole can be played as:

Singles – 1 versus 1;
Doubles – 2 versus 2;
Group formats – in rotation or with team switches.

You can read more about this at how many people can play cornhole?.

Basic equipment: boards and bags

The cornhole game has only two components: boards and bags. Still, official dimensions are important for fair play and a good experience.

Cornhole boards

Dimensions: 120 × 60 cm (48 × 24 inches)
Hole diameter: 15 cm (6 inches)
Height: 9–10 cm at the front, 30 cm at the back
Material: usually wood for stability

Cornhole bags

Size: 15 × 15 cm
Weight: 450 g / 16 oz
Filling: resin (no longer corn)
Many modern bags have a fast side and a slow side

You can find a complete technical summary at Cornhole dimensions & specifications at a glance and Cornhole basics: equipment & setup.

The official distance between cornhole boards

The standard distance between the front edges of the two boards is:

8.23 meters (27 ft)

For children, beginners, or limited space you can shorten the distance to 4–6 meters. This keeps the game accessible for everyone.

You can read more about distances and setup in Cornhole overview: rules and setup.

Why is cornhole so popular?

Cornhole is growing worldwide – from campsites to corporate events, and from backyards to international competitions. The main reasons:

It is easy to learn;
It is social and creates connection;
It is suitable for all ages;
You can play it anywhere;
It has a surprising amount of depth and challenge.

The history of cornhole

Cornhole has a long and surprising history. The game may have been inspired by old throwing games from Europe, but the modern version mainly comes from the American Midwest. Only from the 1990s onward did cornhole become truly popular thanks to tailgate culture.

The full history can be found at the short history of cornhole.

Cornhole as a sport?

Although it is often seen as a recreational game, cornhole has grown into an official sport with tournaments, rankings, and professional players. The American Cornhole League (ACL) organizes international competitions and live TV broadcasts.

You can read more about this at Is cornhole a sport?.

How accessible is cornhole?

Cornhole is one of the most accessible games in the world. Everyone can join in:

children, teenagers, adults, and seniors;
advanced players and complete beginners;
people with a physical disability (can also be played while seated);
groups with different skill levels.

You can read more about this in Cornhole accessibility & inclusivity and Cornhole for all ages.

Why should you start playing cornhole today?

Cornhole is fun, active, connecting, and suitable for both indoors and outdoors. Whether you play with family, at the campsite, at a company day, or in a league: the game always brings people together.

Check out the comprehensive list: top reasons to start playing cornhole.

Frequently asked questions about cornhole

What exactly is cornhole?

Cornhole is a throwing game in which players throw fabric bags at a raised wooden board to score points. Bag on the board is 1 point, in the hole is 3 points.

How do you play cornhole?

Players take turns throwing a bag at the board. After eight throws the points are compared and offset against each other. The game continues until someone reaches 21 points.