Cornhole boards are tailgating classics. Though the game might be difficult to master, it’s easy to build the boards. Follow our step-by-step instructions and measurements to make a pair of cornhole boards in one day.
Tools Required
- Circular saw
- Clamps
- Compass
- Drill
- Jigsaw
Materials Required
- 1×4 Boards (4)
- 2-ft. x 4-ft. Plywood (2)
- Bolts (4)
- Construction Screws (20)
- Nuts (4)
Step 1
Cut Your Boards to Size
- Cutting boards for cornhole
- To make the boards for your own backyard cornhole set, first cut the 1x4s into four 48 in. boards for the side, four 22-1/2 in. boards for the front and back, and four 15 in. boards for the legs. These are the standard cornhole dimensions. The 15 in. length may seem long, but you will cut them to the actual length later in the process.
Step 2
Construct Your Boxes
- Assembling box for cornhole boards
- Fasten the 1x4s into boxes with pilot holes and screws.
Step 3
Mark and Cut the Holes in the Plywood
- Mark holes for cornhole boards
- Starter hole for cornhole boards
- Cutting out hole in cornhole boards
- Take your 2 ft. x 4 ft. piece of plywood and mark a point 12 in. from a side edge and nine in. from the top edge. Then draw a six in. dia. circle around the mark using a compass. Drill a pilot hole along the edge of the circle and use your jig saw to cut out the rest of the hole.
Step 4
Attach the Plywood to the Box
- Attaching plywood to cornhole box
- Clamp the plywood to the box. Use a countersink bit to drill pilot holes and fasten the plywood with screws.
Step 5
Cut the Leg Arcs
- Marking arc for cornhole boards legs
- Marking arcs for cornhole legs
- Cutting arcs in cornhole board legs
- Mark 1-3/4 in. down the length of the 15 in. legs and use a compass to draw an arc. Cut the arc with a jig saw.
Step 6
Fit the Legs
- Fitting cornhole board legs
- Adding cornhole board legs
- Turn the box upside down. Lay one leg parallel to a side of the box, as shown, with the arc side in the corner. Clamp it in place. Drill a one-half in. hole through both pieces as shown. Repeat the process for the second leg, then fasten the legs to the board with nuts and bolts.
Step 7
Cut the Angle for the Legs
- ​​​​​​​Measuring cornhole board legs
- Cutting cornhole board leg angles
- Lift up the platform using a bucket, a piece of scrap wood or anything that can boost the top of the plywood to 12 in. from the ground, and position it on the edge of your worktable. Fold out the legs and use your worktable to mark the angle on the legs as shown. Detach the legs and cut along the line with a circular saw.
Step 8
Sand, Paint and Play
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- ​​​​​​​Finished and painted cornhole boards
- Sand your boards, and prime and paint them however you see fit with high-gloss paint. You can really create custom cornhole boards with a unique paint job. Then go out and start practicing with your cornhole set for next Sunday!
- To set up a cornhole game in your backyard or wherever you’re tailgating, just fold out the legs and place the cornhole boards 27 ft. apart from front to front. Next, check out more of our favorite outdoor woodworking projects for beginners.
