How the NFL passer rating works
The NFL passer rating, introduced in 1973, combines four per-attempt measures. Each part is calculated and capped between 0 and 2.375:
- a = (completions ÷ attempts − 0.3) × 5
- b = (yards ÷ attempts − 3) × 0.25
- c = (touchdowns ÷ attempts) × 20
- d = 2.375 − (interceptions ÷ attempts × 25)
Passer rating = (a + b + c + d) ÷ 6 × 100
The maximum is 158.3, often called a perfect passer rating.
Worked example
A quarterback completes 270 of 400 passes for 3,200 yards, 25 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
- a = (0.675 − 0.3) × 5 = 1.875.
- b = (8.0 − 3) × 0.25 = 1.25.
- c = 0.0625 × 20 = 1.25.
- d = 2.375 − 0.02 × 25 = 1.875.
- Rating: (1.875 + 1.25 + 1.25 + 1.875) ÷ 6 × 100 = 104.2, an elite season.
- NCAA passing efficiency: (8.4 × 3,200 + 330 × 25 + 100 × 270 − 200 × 8) ÷ 400 = 151.3.
What a perfect rating needs
To max out every component, a passer needs at least:
| Component | Perfect threshold |
|---|---|
| Completion percentage | 77.5% |
| Yards per attempt | 12.5 |
| Touchdown percentage | 11.875% |
| Interception percentage | 0% |
Benchmarks
| Season rating | Level |
|---|---|
| 110 and up | MVP-caliber |
| 100 to 110 | elite |
| 90 to 100 | above average |
| 80 to 90 | average to below average |
| under 80 | struggling |
League-wide passer rating has risen over the decades as passing has become more efficient; it is around 90 in recent seasons, compared with about 70 in the 1970s.
NCAA passing efficiency
College football uses a different formula without caps: (8.4 × yards + 330 × TD + 100 × completions − 200 × INT) ÷ attempts. Scores are higher, often 130 to 170 for good starters, so the two scales cannot be compared directly.
Limits
Passer rating ignores sacks, rushing, fumbles and the game situation. ESPN’s QBR and EPA per play try to capture more of a quarterback’s contribution, but passer rating remains the official NFL statistic and is easy to compute from a box score.