Important Facts About Bowling Lane Dimensions

bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 5/21/2015; Updated: 6/1/2022

Here are a few important facts about regulation USBC bowling lane dimensions:

*The approach extends from and is exclusive of the foul line and shall be an unobstructed level approach not less than 15 feet in length, free from depressions 1/4" or more, and not less than the width of the lane.

*The foul line must not be less than 3/8" nor more than 1" in width, extend across the entire width of the lane at a minimum, and be distinctly marked or embedded between the lane and the approach.

*A set of guides embedded into the approach are located 12 feet back from the foul line as are another set of guides located 15 feet behind the foul line on the approach floor.

*The lane and approach markings allow for a maximum of 7 guides embedded in or stamped on the approach at each of the following points: 2"-6", 3'-4', 6'-7', 9'-10', 11'-12', and 14'-15'.

*Seven targets (arrows) may be embedded into or stamped onto the lane 12'-16' distance past the foul line and must be uniform in length and in shape and must be at a maximum of 1 1/4" in width and 6" in length.

*At a distance 33'-44' beyond the foul line, there maybe 4 targets uniform in appearance no wider than a single board nor longer than 36".

*Each series of guides 6'-7' past the foul line must be parallel to the foul line and circular in shape with a maximum of 10 guides not to exceed 3/4" in diameter.

*The pin spots are fiber spots 2 1/4" in diameter.

*The center of the 7 & 10 pin spots are between 2 1/2" and 3" from the edge of the pin deck and the centers of the pin spots are 12" apart set in a equilateral triangle formation.

*The gutter (channel) width is 9 1/4" in width.

*The center of the head pin spot is 60 feet plus or minus 1/2" to the foul line.

*The overall length of the lane to the pin deck is 62 feet 10 3/16".

*The lane is 41 1/2" in width.

*The surface of the lane must be free of contiguous grooves or ridges, 40/1000" tolerance for crosswise tilt, crowns, and depressions. The lane surface must also have a lengthwise tilt tolerance of 40/1000".

*The foul light beam is no more than 1/4" beyond the approach, fully automatic, and must be visible between 10-15 seconds duration.



The dimension information provided here is only a portion of available data relating to the regulation bowling lane specifications.

If there are more facts or data you require regarding bowling lane dimensions, then consult with the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Rule & Regulations book found online or check in the USBC Rule Book your league officers surely can steer you toward.

Knowing about the bowling lane dimensions and about oil patterns you bowl on can certainly be useful with the challenges of alignment and adjustments leading to improving your game.