How to Build Cornhole Boards
To build a cornhole board, cut a 24 × 48 in (610 × 1219 mm) top from 3/4 in plywood, cut a 6 in hole centred 9 in from the top edge, glue and screw it onto a 3 in deep frame with a middle brace, and fit two folding legs that lift the back edge to 12 in. Sand the top smooth, paint it and seal it so the bags slide evenly. One sheet of plywood gives four tops: two pairs of boards.
What you need
- One 4 × 8 sheet of 3/4 in birch or Baltic birch plywood for four tops (or two 2 × 4 ft project panels for one pair)
- 3 in strips for the frames: ripped from plywood, or 1 × 4 / 2 × 4 lumber
- Wood glue, 1 1/4 in screws, four 3/8 in carriage bolts with washers and nuts
- A circular or track saw, a jigsaw (or 6 in hole saw), a drill and sandpaper
- Exterior primer, paint and a clear polyurethane
Step by step
- Cut the tops 24 × 48 in. Rip the sheet in half lengthwise and cut each strip in two.
- Mark the hole: its centre 9 in from the top edge and 12 in from each side, then a 6 in circle around it.
- Cut the hole with a jigsaw from a drilled starter hole, or with a hole saw, and sand the edge round.
- Build the frame: two side rails 48 in long and two end rails between them, 3 in deep, plus a middle brace across the centre to stop the top bouncing. Glue and screw the corners square.
- Fix the top to the frame with glue and screws from above, countersunk, or with pocket screws from inside so the face stays clean.
- Fit the legs: two legs about 11 1/4 in long inside the back of the frame, each on a carriage bolt, with the bottom corner rounded so they swing. Check that the back edge stands 12 in high with the legs open.
- Sand and finish: sand to 220 grit, fill the screw holes, prime and paint, add decals, then two or three coats of clear polyurethane, sanded lightly between coats.
Getting the size right
| Measurement | Regulation |
|---|---|
| Top | 24 × 48 in (610 × 1219 mm) |
| Hole | 6 in (152 mm), centre 9 in from the top, 12 in from the sides |
| Back edge height | 12 in (305 mm) |
| Front edge height | 2 1/2–4 in (64–102 mm) |
| Distance between boards | 27 ft front to front |
See cornhole board dimensions for the full rules. A gloss finish makes bags slide; a satin finish slows them down. Store the boards dry: plywood swells if left out in the rain, even when painted.
Frequently asked questions
What plywood do you use for cornhole boards?
3/4 in (18 mm) birch or Baltic birch plywood for the top: smooth, stiff and without bounce. 1/2 in works on a frame with a middle brace. MDO plywood is a good choice for boards that will be painted and left outdoors.
How do you cut the hole in a cornhole board?
Mark the centre 9 in from the top edge and 12 in from each side, draw a 6 in circle, drill a starter hole inside the line and cut it with a jigsaw, or use a 6 in hole saw. Sand the edge round so bags do not snag.
How long should cornhole legs be?
Long enough to lift the back edge of the board 12 in off the ground. With a 3 in frame under a 3/4 in top, legs about 11 1/4 in long, pivoting on a bolt near the back, do it.
How many cornhole boards can you get from a sheet of plywood?
Four tops from one 4 × 8 sheet: rip it in half lengthwise and cut each half in two. That is two pairs of boards.