How Deep Should an In-Ground Basketball Hoop Be Set?
In-ground basketball hoops are set in concrete as deep as the manufacturer says, often about four feet. This page explains why, how that compares with your local frost depth, anchor kits versus direct-bury poles, how much concrete to buy, and how high the rim goes.
- Checked October 2026
- 2 sources
- How we verify
- Goalrilla in-ground hoop16 in wide, 48 in deepEleven 80 lb bags of concrete, per the maker's installation page.
- Lifetime Power Lift hoop21 in wide, 24 in deepAbout 8.25 bags, per a retailer's installation guide. Check your manual.
- Regulation rim height10 ftAbove the playing surface.
How Deep Do You Dig for a Basketball Hoop?
You dig to the depth your hoop’s manual lists. Goalrilla’s in-ground systems ask for a hole 16 inches in diameter and 48 inches deep. A Lifetime Power Lift installation guide calls for a hole 24 inches deep and 21 inches in diameter. The two differ because the poles and anchor designs differ.
No building code sets a hoop depth, because a hoop is not a building. The maker’s number is the one that matters, and it has to be met, so a pole set shallower than the manual is under-designed. Look up your frost line depth to compare.
| System | Hole | Concrete | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalrilla in-ground | 16 in diameter, 48 in deep | Eleven 80 lb bags | Goalrilla installation page |
| Lifetime Power Lift | 21 in diameter, 24 in deep | About 8.25 bags | Farm and Fleet installation guide |
How Much Concrete Does a Basketball Hoop Need?
A basketball hoop needs enough concrete to fill the hole the manual specifies. Goalrilla calls for eleven 80-pound bags for its 16 by 48 inch hole, and the Lifetime guide for about 8.25 bags for its smaller hole. Bag counts depend on the mix and the hole, so buy a spare.
Owners’ reports vary. One DIY installer of a 60-inch Goalrilla used about 18 bags of fast-setting mix, which is more than the manufacturer’s count. Because hole size and bag yield change the total, measure your own hole.
Should You Use an Anchor Kit or a Direct-Bury Pole?
An anchor kit lets you move or replace the hoop later, and a direct-bury pole is set in the concrete for good. Both go in a hole of the depth the manual gives. Goalrilla sells an in-ground anchor system, which is set in the concrete once and bolts to the pole.
The anchor kit adds cost but saves digging if you move the hoop or replace the pole. A direct-bury pole is cheaper and simpler. Either way, set the anchor or pole plumb, and let the concrete cure before you add the backboard.
Does a Hoop Footing Need to Go Below the Frost Line?
A hoop footing does not need to go below the frost line under any code, but a deeper frost line can lift an under-deep footing and tilt the pole. Four feet reaches below the frost line in many places, though not all: northern Minnesota lists 60 inches in its code.
Where your frost line is deeper than the manual’s depth, ask the manufacturer whether to dig deeper. If the pole leans after a winter, frost is the first suspect. Frost heave explains the process.
What Size Pole and How High a Rim?
The rim goes 10 feet above the playing surface. The pole is the size your system includes. Adjustable backboards lower the rim for younger players, but the pole is always set to the full depth.
Check your manual for the pole size, and call 811 before you dig.
Questions People Ask
How deep do you dig for a basketball hoop?
Dig to the depth your hoop's manual lists. Goalrilla's in-ground systems ask for a hole 16 inches across and 48 inches deep. A Lifetime Power Lift installation guide calls for 24 inches deep and 21 inches across. Models differ, so follow yours.
How deep does concrete need to be for a basketball hoop?
As deep as the hole the manual specifies, which is usually the full depth. Goalrilla calls for eleven 80 lb bags for its 16 by 48 inch hole, and a Lifetime guide for about 8.25 bags for its smaller hole. Buy a bag or two extra.
How high should a basketball hoop be off the ground?
Ten feet to the rim, the standard height. Adjustable systems lower it for younger players. The pole must still be set to the manufacturer's depth, whatever height the rim is set to.
What Is Your Frost Line Depth?
Enter a ZIP code or city to see the depth your own building code sets.