Average 40-Yard Dash Time by Age
The 40-yard dash is football's headline speed test, but a "good" time depends heavily on age. Here are realistic averages by age and level, and how to read your own number.
Average 40-yard dash by age and level
- Youth (ages 8–11): about 7.0 – 7.5 seconds
- Middle school (12–13): about 6.0 – 6.5 seconds
- High school (14–17): about 5.0 – 5.6 seconds
- College skill players: about 4.5 – 4.8 seconds
- NFL Combine (elite): about 4.3 – 4.5 seconds
These are broad athletic averages. Position matters — wide receivers and defensive backs run faster than linemen at every level.
Why age matters so much
Speed depends on strength, coordination, and body control, all of which develop through the teenage years. A younger player's time will sit well above the adult benchmarks, and that is normal — the trend as they grow and train matters more than the raw number.
How to measure your 40
Run a flat 40 yards from a set stance and time it. Note that hand-timed 40s run a couple tenths faster than electronic timing, so use the same method each time to track progress fairly.
Rate your time
The 40-Yard Dash Calculator converts your time to mph and a 10-yard split, rates it, and compares it to the typical time for your age. Ready to drop time? Read how to run a faster 40-yard dash.
What is a good 40-yard dash time?
For adults and high schoolers, under 4.7 seconds is excellent and 4.5 or faster is elite. Average is around 5.0 to 5.6. Younger players are naturally slower.
What is the average 40 time by age?
Roughly 7.0–7.5s for ages 8–11, 6.0–6.5s for 12–13, 5.0–5.6s for high schoolers, and 4.5–4.8s for college skill players.
What is a fast 40 time for a 14-year-old?
Around 5.5–5.7 seconds is typical for a 14-year-old athlete, so anything under about 5.3 is fast for that age.