Cricket pitch length explained in detail, 22 yards (20.12m / 66ft) from stump to stump. Learn cricket pitch dimensions in feet, meters, yards, and footsteps with FAQs.
Cricket is a sport of precision, tradition, and fine details. Among its many elements, the length of the cricket pitch is one of the most important. Whether you are a player, coach, or fan, understanding the exact measurements of the pitch can help you appreciate the game more deeply.
In this article, we’ll cover everything about the length and width of the cricket pitch, including conversions in feet, meters, yards, and even footsteps. By the end, you’ll have a complete understanding of this fundamental part of cricket.
What Is the Standard Cricket Pitch Length?
The cricket pitch length is officially 22 yards (20.12 meters / 66 feet) from stump to stump.
- Length: 22 yards (20.12 m / 66 ft.)
- Width: 10 feet (3.05 m)
- Stump to stump distance: 22 yards
- Crease marking distance:
- Bowling crease to popping crease: 4 feet (1.22 m)
- Return crease: Extends behind the bowling crease
👉 This standard measurement is used in all international and domestic matches, including Tests, ODIs, and T20s.
Contents
Cricket Pitch Length in Feet
When converted, the pitch length in feet is:
- 66 feet long (stump to stump)
- 10 feet wide
This is the most common way coaches and players in India explain the pitch size, as feet are easier to visualize than yards.
📐 Cricket Pitch Length in Meters
In metric terms:
- Length: 20.12 meters
- Width: 3.05 meters
This measurement is often used in ICC documents, coaching manuals, and official ground specifications.
🚶 Cricket Pitch Length in Footsteps
For those without a measuring tape, pitch length can be approximated by the average number of footsteps.
- One average human step = about 2.5 feet
- Pitch = 66 feet
- So the pitch = ≈26 footsteps (for an average adult)
Ground staff and local players often use footsteps as a rough guide to lay out a pitch during practice sessions.
Cricket Pitch Length in Yards
Traditionally, in England, yards were the standard unit.
- Pitch length = 22 yards
- Width = 3.3 yards
This is why many cricket manuals, especially older ones, still describe the pitch in yards.
Dimensions: Length and Width of the Cricket Pitch
The cricket pitch is not just about stump-to-stump measurement. Here’s the breakdown:
- Overall Length: 22 yards (66 feet / 20.12 meters)
- Overall Width: 10 feet (3.05 meters)
- Bowling Crease: Stump line, 8 ft 8 in long
- Popping Crease: 4 ft in front of the stumps
- Return Crease: Marks the limit for the bowler’s delivery stride
👉 These markings ensure fairness, help umpires make accurate calls, and give structure to the game.
A Quick History of the 22-Yard Pitch
- The 22-yard length dates back to 1744, when the first Laws of Cricket were written.
- It was chosen because 22 yards = one chain (a common English land measurement).
- Even after centuries, cricket hasn’t changed this rule.
This shows how much cricket values tradition while balancing the needs of bat and ball.
Different Types of Cricket Pitches
The length is always the same, but the surface conditions vary.
- Green Pitch → Helps fast bowlers, more seam and swing.
- Dry/Dusty Pitch → Spinners dominate, ball grips the surface.
- Flat Pitch → Batting-friendly, high-scoring matches.
- Damp Pitch → Unpredictable bounce, difficult for both batsmen and bowlers.
👉 This is why two pitches of the same length can produce completely different matches.
️ Why Is the Cricket Pitch Length Fixed?
The 22-yard pitch length has remained unchanged since the early 18th century. The reason:
- Fairness: Ensures consistency across all formats and grounds.
- Balance: Provides equal opportunity for bowlers and batsmen.
- Tradition: The measurement has been passed down for centuries.
Maintenance of a Cricket Pitch
Keeping a pitch perfect is an art. Groundsmen:
- Roll the surface before matches for even bounce.
- Water pitches in moderation to control dryness.
- Cover pitches to protect against rain.
- Use soil/clay mixtures to influence bounce.
The length never changes, but preparation decides how the game unfolds.
❓ FAQs About Cricket Pitch Length
🔹 Is a cricket pitch 20m?
Yes. In metric terms, the pitch is 20.12 meters long, which is almost exactly 20 meters.
🔹 What is the cricket pitch size?
- Length: 22 yards (20.12 m / 66 ft)
- Width: 10 feet (3.05 m)
🔹 Is a cricket pitch 66 feet?
Yes. When measured in feet, the official stump-to-stump distance is 66 feet.
🔹 How long is a pitch length?
A cricket pitch is 22 yards (20.12 m / 66 ft) long.
🔹 Cricket pitch length, stump to stump
From stump to stump, the pitch measures 22 yards (20.12 m / 66 ft).
🔹 Cricket pitch length in footsteps
On average, the pitch is 26 feet long for an adult person.
⚡ Key Takeaways
- Standard cricket pitch length = 22 yards / 20.12 m / 66 ft
- Width = 10 ft (3.05 m)
- Distance in footsteps = ≈26
- This measurement is the same in Tests, ODIs, T20s, and IPL
- Fixed pitch length ensures fairness and balance in cricket