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This page explains what lacrosse's rule books, governing bodies and standards bodies publish. It is not a substitute for coaching from a qualified coach, and it does not replace medical advice.
An aid, not a ruling
The officials and the governing body running a game decide whether a stick is allowed. This tool compares measurements you type in with the numbers written in the World Lacrosse rule books listed below. It cannot check the pocket, the stringing, the materials or anything else a rule book does not give a number for, and it does not cover the NCAA, NFHS, USA Lacrosse or Lacrosse Canada rules, which can differ.
Check a stick
The limits the tool uses
Each figure below is taken from the World Lacrosse rule book named in its row. The men's field and box limits are stated in inches; the centimetre values shown for them are exact conversions at 2.54 cm to the inch.
| Game and position | Rule | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Men's field, short stick | Rules 15.1 and 15.2 (Men's Field Rules 2025-2027, v1.0) | 40 to 42 in (101.60 to 106.68 cm) overall; head 6 to 10 in (15.24 to 25.40 cm) inside at its widest |
| Men's field, long stick | Rules 15.1 and 15.2 | 52 to 72 in (132.08 to 182.88 cm) overall; head as for the short stick. A team may have no more than four long sticks on the field at once while the ball is live, not counting the designated goalkeeper's stick or players in the penalty box or bench area |
| Men's field, goalkeeper | Rule 15.3 | 40 to 72 in (101.60 to 182.88 cm) overall; head 6 to 15 in (15.24 to 38.10 cm) inside at its widest |
| Women's field, field player | Appendix H B.1 (Women's Field Rules 2025-2026, v1.0) | 90 to 110 cm overall including end caps; head 25.4 to 30.5 cm long and 18 to 23 cm wide at its widest, measured outside; complete stick at most 567 g |
| Women's field, goalkeeper | Appendix H B.2 | 90 to 140 cm overall; head at most 41.9 cm long and 15.24 to 38.10 cm inside at its widest |
| Box, player | Rules 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 (Box Rules 2026-2028, v2.0) | 40 to 42 in overall; head 4.5 to 7 in inside at its widest |
| Box, goalkeeper | Rule 2.3 | 40 to 72 in overall; at most 13 in wide to the outside edges; at most 16.5 in from the top of the head to the bottom of the throat |
| Sixes, men's field player | Rule 2.2.1M (Sixes Rules 2026-2028, v2.0) | 100 to 110 cm overall; head at least 25.4 cm long and at least 15 cm inside at its widest |
| Sixes, women's field player | Rule 2.2.1W | 90 to 110 cm overall; head at least 25.4 cm long and at least 15 cm inside at its widest |
| Sixes, goalkeeper | Rule 2.2.2 | 15.24 to 38.10 cm inside at its widest; 100 to 140 cm overall for men and 90 to 140 cm for women |
Notes on the figures
- The men's field rule book's Appendix D diagram labels the short stick "100 cm to 110 cm", which differs from the 101.60 to 106.68 cm in Rule 15.1. The tool follows the rule text.
- The women's field rules let junior players under 15 use a crosse shorter than 90 cm. They also allow a measurement deviation of 0.09 cm on line measurements, which the tool does not apply.
- The box rule book does not split equipment rules by gender. Lacrosse Canada's 2026 memo applies the World Lacrosse box rulebook in a phased way with its own changes; see box sticks.
- Newer versions of the field rule books exist (men's v1.1, January 2026; women's v1.1, March 2025) but were not read for this site. The NCAA, NFHS and USA Lacrosse youth rules set their own limits and are not covered here.
Sources
- World Lacrosse, Men's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules 2025-2027, v1.0 (copy hosted by BC Lacrosse with World Lacrosse's permission)
- World Lacrosse, Women's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules 2025-2026, v1.0 (copy hosted by Lacrosse Victoria)
- World Lacrosse, Box Lacrosse Official Playing Rules 2026-2028, v2.0 (May 2026)
- World Lacrosse, Sixes Lacrosse Official Playing Rules 2026-2028, v2.0 (May 2026)
- World Lacrosse, playing rules page (lists men's field v1.1, January 2026, and women's field v1.1, March 2025; read 23 October 2026)