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NFL Passer Rating Calculator

Calculate the official NFL passer rating with 4-component breakdown

Passer Rating

105.1

Comp %

62.9%

YPA

8.1

NFL Passer Rating

105.1

out of 158.3 maximum

Comp %

62.9%

Yards/Att

8.1

TD %

8.6%

INT %

2.9%

4-Component Breakdown

a (Comp)

1.643

b (Yds)

1.286

c (TD)

1.714

d (INT)

1.661

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How is NFL passer rating calculated?

NFL passer rating uses four components: completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown percentage, and interception percentage. Each component is calculated, clamped between 0 and 2.375, summed, divided by 6, and multiplied by 100. The maximum possible rating is 158.3.

  • a = ((COMP/ATT) - 0.30) * 5, clamped 0 to 2.375
  • b = ((YDS/ATT) - 3) * 0.25, clamped 0 to 2.375
  • c = (TD/ATT) * 20, clamped 0 to 2.375
  • d = 2.375 - ((INT/ATT) * 25), clamped 0 to 2.375
  • Rating = ((a + b + c + d) / 6) * 100
ComponentFormulaMin ValueMax Value
a (Completion %)((COMP/ATT) - 0.30) * 502.375
b (Yards/Attempt)((YDS/ATT) - 3) * 0.2502.375
c (TD %)(TD/ATT) * 2002.375
d (INT %)2.375 - ((INT/ATT) * 25)02.375
Q

What is a perfect passer rating in the NFL?

A perfect NFL passer rating is 158.3, achieved when all four components reach their maximum of 2.375. This requires: completion % of 77.5%+, 12.5+ yards per attempt, TD % of 11.875%+, and 0% interceptions. Over 60 QBs have achieved a perfect 158.3 in a single game.

  • Perfect rating = 158.3 (all components at 2.375)
  • Minimum for max a: 77.5% completion rate
  • Minimum for max b: 12.5 yards per attempt
  • Minimum for max c: 11.875% touchdown rate
  • Requirement for max d: 0 interceptions
StatThreshold for Max ComponentExample (20 att)Difficulty
Comp %77.5%+16/20 completionsAchievable
Yds/Att12.5+250+ yards on 20 attHard
TD %11.875%+3+ TDs on 20 attModerate
INT %0%0 interceptionsCommon
Q

What is a good passer rating in the NFL?

The 2023 NFL average passer rating was approximately 87.8. A rating above 100 is considered very good, and above 110 is elite. Career ratings above 95 are exceptional. The all-time career leader is Aaron Rodgers at 104.5. A rating below 80 is below average for a starting QB.

  • Below 70: poor performance
  • 70-85: below average
  • 85-95: average to above average
  • 95-105: very good
  • 105-115: elite
  • 115+: exceptional (single game or short stretch)
QBCareer RatingBest SeasonEra
Aaron Rodgers104.5122.5 (2011)2005-present
Patrick Mahomes97.5113.8 (2022)2017-present
Tom Brady97.2117.2 (2007)2000-2023
Peyton Manning96.5121.1 (2004)1998-2015
Drew Brees98.7117.0 (2018)2001-2020
Q

What is the difference between passer rating and QBR?

NFL passer rating (max 158.3) uses only passing stats. ESPN QBR (0-100 scale) includes rushing, sacks taken, fumbles, and situational context like game score and opponent. QBR also adjusts for dropped passes and throwaways. Passer rating is the official NFL stat; QBR is ESPN-proprietary.

  • Passer rating: 4 passing stats only, max 158.3
  • ESPN QBR: all QB contributions, 0-100 scale
  • QBR includes rushing yards and touchdowns
  • QBR penalizes sacks and fumbles
  • QBR weights clutch situations more heavily
  • Passer rating is transparent; QBR formula is proprietary
FeatureNFL Passer RatingESPN QBR
Scale0-158.30-100
Inputs4 passing statsAll QB actions
RushingNot includedIncluded
SacksNot includedPenalized
ContextNoneGame situation
FormulaPublicProprietary
Q

How many attempts are needed for a meaningful passer rating?

The NFL requires 14 pass attempts per scheduled game (238 attempts in a 17-game season) to qualify for the passing title. For a single game, passer rating can be misleading with fewer than 15-20 attempts. A QB going 5/5 for 80 yards and 2 TDs gets 158.3 but that is a tiny sample.

  • NFL qualifying: 14 attempts per scheduled team game
  • Full season qualifying: 238 attempts (17-game season)
  • Single game: 20+ attempts for meaningful rating
  • Career: 1,500+ attempts for stable career rating
  • Small samples inflate or deflate rating dramatically

Example Calculations

1Strong Single-Game Performance

Inputs

Completions22
Attempts35
Yards285
Touchdowns3
Interceptions1

Result

Passer Rating105.1
Comp %62.9%
Yards/Attempt8.14
TD %8.57%
INT %2.86%

a = ((22/35)-0.30)*5 = (0.6286-0.30)*5 = 1.643. b = ((285/35)-3)*0.25 = (8.143-3)*0.25 = 1.286. c = (3/35)*20 = 1.714. d = 2.375-((1/35)*25) = 2.375-0.714 = 1.661. Rating = ((1.643+1.286+1.714+1.661)/6)*100 = (6.304/6)*100 = 105.1.

2Perfect Passer Rating Game

Inputs

Completions17
Attempts20
Yards280
Touchdowns4
Interceptions0

Result

Passer Rating158.3
Comp %85.0%
Yards/Attempt14.0
TD %20.0%
INT %0.0%

a = ((17/20)-0.30)*5 = (0.85-0.30)*5 = 2.75, clamped to 2.375. b = ((280/20)-3)*0.25 = (14-3)*0.25 = 2.75, clamped to 2.375. c = (4/20)*20 = 4.0, clamped to 2.375. d = 2.375-(0/20)*25 = 2.375. Rating = ((2.375+2.375+2.375+2.375)/6)*100 = (9.5/6)*100 = 158.3.

3Below-Average Game

Inputs

Completions15
Attempts32
Yards148
Touchdowns0
Interceptions2

Result

Passer Rating34.4
Comp %46.9%
Yards/Attempt4.63
TD %0.0%
INT %6.25%

a = ((15/32)-0.30)*5 = (0.469-0.30)*5 = 0.844. b = ((148/32)-3)*0.25 = (4.625-3)*0.25 = 0.406. c = (0/32)*20 = 0. d = 2.375-((2/32)*25) = 2.375-1.5625 = 0.8125. Rating = ((0.844+0.406+0+0.8125)/6)*100 = (2.063/6)*100 = 34.4.

Formulas Used

NFL Passer Rating

Rating = ((a + b + c + d) / 6) × 100

The official NFL passer rating formula combining four per-attempt components, each clamped between 0 and 2.375.

Where:

Rating= NFL passer rating on a 0-158.3 scale
a= ((COMP/ATT) - 0.300) * 5, clamped [0, 2.375]
b= ((YDS/ATT) - 3) * 0.25, clamped [0, 2.375]
c= (TD/ATT) * 20, clamped [0, 2.375]
d= 2.375 - ((INT/ATT) * 25), clamped [0, 2.375]

Completion Percentage

Comp % = (Completions / Attempts) × 100

Percentage of pass attempts completed. The 2023 NFL average was approximately 65%.

Where:

Comp %= Completion percentage
Completions= Number of completed passes
Attempts= Total pass attempts

Yards Per Attempt

YPA = Passing Yards / Attempts

Average passing yards gained per attempt. A key efficiency metric; the NFL average is approximately 7.0.

Where:

YPA= Yards per attempt
Passing Yards= Total passing yards
Attempts= Total pass attempts

The NFL Passer Rating Formula Explained

The NFL passer rating was introduced in 1973 by Pro Football Hall of Fame statistician Don Smith. It combines four per-attempt statistics into a single number on a 0-158.3 scale. Despite being nearly 50 years old and predating modern analytics, it remains the official NFL passing efficiency metric and is used for the annual passing title.

The formula works by calculating four components (a through d), each clamped between 0 and 2.375. Component a measures completion percentage (baseline 30%), b measures yards per attempt (baseline 3.0), c measures touchdown rate, and d penalizes interceptions. These four values are averaged and scaled to produce the final rating. A perfect game (all components at 2.375) yields exactly 158.3.

This calculator shows the full 4-component breakdown so you can see which areas drive or drag the rating. Enter completions, attempts, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions for any game, season, or career. Compare against all-time leaders and the league average. The benchmark chart shows where your rating falls relative to the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

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Last Updated: Mar 25, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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