A regulation cornhole bag is 6 inches square and weighs 15 to 16 ounces. Beyond that, the choices come down to fabric and feel. Here's what actually matters when you buy a set.
Slick Side, Sticky Side
Most modern bags are dual-sided. One side is slick — a smoother fabric that slides on the board. The other side is sticky — a grippier fabric that grabs and stops.
Players flip the bag in their hand before throwing depending on the shot:
- Slick down for slides. The bag glides up the board into the hole.
- Sticky down for flops. The bag lands and stops, useful for blocking or for a soft drop into the hole.
Single-sided bags exist but are rare in competitive play.
Fill
Resin pellets. The current standard. Plastic, doesn't absorb water, behaves consistently in all weather.
Corn (whole kernels). The original fill. Cheap, traditional, and a problem in humid weather — bags swell, get heavy, and eventually mold.
Crushed walnut shells. Used in some boutique bags. Slightly different feel than resin. Performs more like corn but doesn't rot.
For league or tournament play, buy resin. For backyard sets that live in a closet, anything works.
Weight and Size
Regulation: 15 to 16 ounces, 6 inches square. Most bags ship at 15.5 to 15.8 ounces. A bag outside this range is illegal in ACL events and most leagues.
Heavier bags resist wind better and feel more stable in the air. Lighter bags arc easier and are more forgiving for new players. Within the regulation range, the difference is small.
Speed Ratings
ACL-stamped bags carry a speed rating, usually labeled by the manufacturer:
- Slow side: sticks fast, useful as a blocker
- Medium: balanced, works for most throws
- Fast: slides far, used for sliders and rollups
Some manufacturers print speed numbers (1–10) on the bag tag. The slow/medium/fast labels are what you'll hear at events.
ACL Stamp
The American Cornhole League tests and certifies bags for sanctioned events. An ACL stamp means the bag passed specs for weight, size, fabric, and fill. It does not mean the bag is "better" — it means it's legal for ACL play.
If you're playing in a casual league or backyard, the stamp doesn't matter. If you're entering ACL or ACO events, check the approved-bag list before you buy.
Set Composition
A regulation game uses 8 bags total — 4 per team. Buy a set of 8 in two colors, or two sets of 4. Many sets ship as 8 bags in two colors with matching fill.
For a doubles team where both partners care about feel, each player buys their own 4. Same model, same color, same speed.
Care
Resin bags are low maintenance. Wipe them dry after wet play. Store in a bag or box, not loose in a garage where they'll pick up dirt.
Don't wash them in a machine. The fabric coating will degrade and the slick side will turn into the sticky side.
Tracking Bags You Own
Keep notes on which bags worked in which conditions — wind, surface, temperature. Or track every game in BagTrax and let the stats tell you which set is paying off.