A field goal is a kick that sends the ball through the uprights and above the crossbar, and in the NFL it is worth three points. It is scored by either a placekick, where a holder sets the ball on the ground, or a drop-kick, and it can be attempted on any down from anywhere on the field. Teams most often try one on fourth down when a touchdown is unlikely but the kicker is within range.
How a field goal is scored
On a typical field goal attempt, the center snaps the ball to a holder about seven or eight yards behind the line of scrimmage. The holder places the ball upright on the turf, and the placekicker steps in and kicks it toward the goalposts at the back of the end zone. For the kick to count, the ball must travel above the crossbar and between the two uprights. If it does, the officials signal three points; if it sails wide or falls short, the kick is no good.
The distance of a field goal is measured from the spot of the kick to the goalposts, plus the ten yards of the end zone and the few yards back to the holder. That is why a kick from an opponent’s 30-yard line is described as roughly a 47-yard field goal rather than a 30-yard one.
Field goal versus extra point
People sometimes confuse a field goal with an extra point because both are kicks through the same uprights. The difference is when they happen and what they are worth. An extra point, officially the point after touchdown (PAT), can only be attempted immediately after a team scores a touchdown, and it is worth one point. A field goal can be attempted at almost any time and is worth three.
In the NFL, the extra point is snapped from the 15-yard line, which makes it about a 33-yard kick once the end zone and the holder’s spot are counted. The league moved the snap back to the 15 in 2015 to make the kick less automatic and to give teams a real reason to consider a two-point conversion instead. The table below summarizes the differences.
| Kick | When it is attempted | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Field goal | Any down, from anywhere on the field | 3 |
| Extra point (PAT) | Immediately after a touchdown | 1 |
| Two-point conversion | Immediately after a touchdown, run or pass into the end zone | 2 |
When teams choose to kick
Deciding whether to attempt a field goal is one of the most common in-game choices a coach makes. On fourth down, the staff weighs how far the kick would be, the score, the time remaining, the weather, and the strength of their kicker. If the offense stalls just outside the red zone or inside it but short of the goal line, a field goal secures three points rather than risking a turnover on downs. Late in a tight game, a field goal can tie the score or even send it to overtime.
Distance matters a great deal. Short and medium attempts are made at a high rate by professional kickers, while very long attempts near or beyond 55 yards are far less certain and depend heavily on the kicker’s leg and the conditions. Wind, cold, rain, and altitude can all change how far a kicker can reasonably reach, so the same distance is not equally makeable in every stadium. A missed field goal usually hands the ball to the opponent at the spot of the hold, so a failed long attempt can cost a team valuable field position and is part of why coaches weigh the risk so carefully before sending out the unit.
The players involved
A field goal is a coordinated special-teams play. It relies on a long snapper, a holder, a placekicker, and a protecting line that keeps the rush from blocking the kick. Kickers and other specialists have well-defined roles that are covered in our guide to NFL positions. A poor snap or hold can ruin even a routine attempt, which is why these units practice the timing so heavily.
How the field goal compares to other scores
A touchdown is worth six points and remains the most valuable score, but a field goal offers a reliable three when the end zone is out of reach. It sits above a safety, worth two points, in the scoring hierarchy. That balance, three points for a made kick versus six for a touchdown, is what makes field goals such a strategic tool: they reward teams for moving the ball into range even when the drive falls short of the goal line.
In summary, the field goal is football’s dependable kicking score, worth three points when the ball clears the crossbar between the uprights, while the extra point is its one-point cousin available only after a touchdown. Both are defined in the NFL rulebook, and understanding the difference explains many of the decisions coaches make on fourth down and after every score.
Frequently asked questions
How many points is a field goal worth?
A field goal is worth three points in American football. The kick must pass above the crossbar and between the uprights to count, and it can be attempted on any down, though it usually comes on fourth down.
What is the difference between a field goal and an extra point?
Both are kicks through the uprights, but a field goal is worth three points and can be attempted from anywhere on the field, while an extra point is worth one point and is only available immediately after a touchdown.
How far is an NFL extra point?
In the NFL the extra point is snapped from the 15-yard line, which makes it roughly a 33-yard kick once the end zone and holder’s spot are included. The distance was moved back in 2015 to make the kick less automatic.
When do teams kick a field goal?
Teams usually attempt a field goal on fourth down when they are close enough for the kicker to reach but not confident of scoring a touchdown. Coaches weigh distance, weather, and game situation before sending out the kicking unit.
What happens if a field goal is missed?
If a field goal misses, the defending team generally takes over possession at the spot of the hold or the previous line of scrimmage, depending on the level of play. A missed kick therefore gives the opponent good field position.
Can a field goal be more than three points?
Under standard NFL and college rules a successful field goal is always three points. Some other leagues have experimented with longer-distance field goals worth more points, but the traditional value in the NFL remains three.
