Cornhole Scorekeeper
Cancellation scoring done properly, round by round, with the bust rule optional and the regulation setup numbers alongside.
This round
Rounds so far
| Round | A raw | B raw | Awarded | Running |
|---|
Cancellation scoring
Both teams count their round normally — 3 for a bag in the hole, 1 for one on the board — and then the smaller total is subtracted from the larger. Only the difference is awarded, and only to one team.
So a round where both teams sink two bags is worth nothing at all, and a round where you score eight against their five is worth three. It is what keeps games close, and it is why knocking an opponent's bag off the board is worth exactly as much as sinking one of your own.
Regulation setup
| What | Measurement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Board size | 48 × 24 inches | Four feet by two. Anything smaller is a tailgate board, which is fine for the garden and not for a league. |
| Hole diameter | 6 inches | Centred 9 inches from the top edge, 12 inches from each side. A bag is 6 inches square, so it only goes in on the diagonal or flat — which is why the hole feels smaller than it measures. |
| Hole position | 9 in from the top, centred | Measured to the centre of the hole. Getting this wrong is the most common home-build error. |
| Board height at the back | 12 inches | Front edge sits 3 to 4 inches off the ground. The slope is what makes a bag slide rather than stop dead. |
| Distance between boards | 27 feet, front edge to front edge | The pitching distance. Board fronts 27 feet apart puts the holes 33 feet apart. |
| Pitcher’s box | 4 × 3 feet beside each board | You throw from beside the board, not from behind it, and your foot must stay behind the front edge of the board. |
| Bag size | 6 × 6 inches | Double-stitched, filled to 15.5 to 16.5 ounces. |
| Bag weight | 15.5 to 16.5 oz | About a pound. A bag outside that range flies noticeably differently, which matters more than people expect. |
What to fill bags with
| Whole kernel corn | The original, and it is why the game is called cornhole. It breaks down, absorbs moisture and eventually rots, which is why almost nobody competes with it now. |
| Resin pellets | What every regulation bag uses. Does not absorb water, does not rot, and holds its weight — the only reason to use anything else is nostalgia. |
| Plastic pellets | Common in cheaper sets. Lighter feel and they can flatten out over time, but perfectly serviceable for a garden set. |
Things worth knowing
- Cancellation scoring means at most one team scores per round, and a round where both teams throw well can be worth nothing at all. That is the point — it keeps games close.
- A bag on the board is one point, in the hole is three, and a bag that touches the ground first scores nothing even if it ends up on the board.
- Under the common bust rule, going over 21 drops you back to 15. That is why a player on 20 will often knock their opponent’s bags off rather than sink one of their own.
- The hole is six inches and the bag is six inches square, so it only drops through on the diagonal or lying flat. The hole plays smaller than it measures, and that is deliberate.
- Boards are 27 feet apart at the front edges, which puts the holes 33 feet apart. Setting up to 27 feet between HOLES is the classic garden mistake and it makes the game much easier.
- A slide is worth more than an airmail. A bag that lands short and slides in also blocks the hole if it stops, which is the shot with two good outcomes.
How to use
- Set the target score and whether going over busts or wins.
- Enter each team’s bags in the hole and on the board, then score the round.
- Watch the running total — only the difference is ever awarded.
Frequently asked questions
How does cancellation scoring work?
Both teams count their round normally — three for a bag in the hole, one for a bag on the board — and then the smaller total is subtracted from the larger. Only the difference is awarded, and only to one team.
Can both teams score in the same round?
No, never. That is what cancellation means. A round where both teams sink two bags is worth nothing at all, which is exactly what keeps games close.
What happens if you go over 21?
It depends on the rules you agreed. Under official play you simply win. Under the common house bust rule you drop back to 15, which is why a careful player on 20 will knock their opponent’s bags off rather than sink one of their own.
How far apart are cornhole boards?
Twenty-seven feet, front edge to front edge — which puts the holes 33 feet apart. Setting up to 27 feet between the holes is the classic garden mistake, and it makes the game noticeably easier.
What size is a regulation board?
48 by 24 inches, with a 6-inch hole centred 9 inches from the top edge. The back sits 12 inches off the ground and the front 3 to 4, and that slope is what makes a bag slide rather than stop dead.
What should bags be filled with?
Resin pellets for anything competitive — they do not absorb water, do not rot, and hold their weight. Whole corn is the original and the reason for the name, but it breaks down and rots. Bags should weigh 15.5 to 16.5 ounces.
Does a bag that hits the ground first count?
No. A bag that touches the ground and then ends up on the board scores nothing, and by most rules it should be removed before the next throw.
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