The specification
| IIHF 2026/27, Rule 13.1 | NHL 2026-27, Rule 13.1 | Hockey Canada 2026-28, Rule 3.8 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Vulcanized rubber or other approved material | Vulcanized rubber or other approved material | Vulcanized rubber or other approved material |
| Thickness | 2.5 cm | 1 in | 2.54 cm (1 in) |
| Diameter | 7.6 cm | 3 in | 7.62 cm (3 in) |
| Weight | 156 to 170 g | 5.5 to 6 oz | 156 to 170 g (5.5 to 6 oz) |
| Colour | Not stated in the rule as summarised | Not stated | Black |
| Approval | All competition pucks must be IIHF-approved | All competition pucks must be League-approved | The official Hockey Canada puck is recommended |
The IIHF's rule text gives rounded metric figures. Its 2026/27 Appendix III diagram gives the puck as 7.62 cm by 2.54 cm, the exact metric equivalent of 3 inches by 1 inch, and its 2022/23 rule book printed the imperial equivalents as 1 inch, 3 inches and 5.5 to 6 ounces.
Logos and printing
Under the IIHF's 2026/27 Rule 13.1, printed logos, trademarks and advertising may be on both sides of the puck, but on each side they may not exceed 4.5 cm in diameter or 35% of the surface. The NHL and Hockey Canada rules we read do not set a printing limit.
Why game pucks are frozen
The IIHF and NHL rules both keep game pucks frozen and under control at the penalty bench. Hockey Canada's Rule 3.8 does not mention freezing.
- IIHF 2026/27, Rule 13.2: the organising committee or home team supplies enough official pucks, kept frozen at the penalty box under an off-ice official or attendant. The details are in the IIHF's separate Event Codes.
- NHL 2026-27, Rule 13.2: the home team supplies an adequate stock of official pucks, kept frozen at the penalty bench under one of the off-ice officials or a special attendant.
The rulebooks do not explain the reason, and our research did not find a governing-body source that does, so we do not give one here.
A second puck on the ice
Under both the IIHF's 2026/27 Rule 13.3 and the NHL's 2026-27 Rule 13.3, if a puck other than the one in play appears on the ice, play is not stopped. It continues with the legal puck until the play in progress ends with a change of possession.
A lighter puck for the youngest players
Hockey Canada's 2026-28 Rule 3.8 makes an exception for U9 and below. The puck stays the same size, 2.54 cm thick and 7.62 cm across, but may weigh as little as 113.4 g (4 ounces), and it must be clearly identified. Our research did not cover coloured training pucks or other bodies' rules for lightweight youth pucks.
Throwing a puck or stick
Pucks also turn up in the penalty rules. Hockey Canada's 2024-2026 rule changes added kicking a stick or other object to throwing or shooting one as a minor penalty (Rule 10.5(a)). In the 2026-28 Playing Rules that minor applies in the neutral or attacking zone; doing it at the puck or puck carrier in the defending zone, or at an opponent on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone, brings a penalty shot instead.
For the size limits on the stick that hits the puck, see sticks.
Sources
- IIHF Official Rule Book 2026/27, Version 1.0 (PDF, FISG copy)
- IIHF Official Rule Book 2022/23, Rule 13 (Jaakiekkokirja digital edition)
- NHL Official Rules 2026-2027 (index of NHL rulebooks at Scouting the Refs)
- Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028 (PDF)
- Hockey Canada, Playing Rule changes 2024-2026 summary (PDF)