How Is Passer Rating Calculated?
NFL passer rating looks mysterious, but it is just four rate stats blended together and rescaled. Here is exactly how it works.
The four components
Passer rating is built from four things a quarterback controls, each turned into a score 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)
Each of a, b, c, and d is clamped to a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 2.375 — that cap is what makes the top score 158.3.
Putting it together
Passer rating = ((a + b + c + d) / 6) × 100
A worked example
Take 20 completions on 30 attempts for 250 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT:
- a = ((20/30) − 0.3) × 5 = 1.833
- b = ((250/30) − 3) × 0.25 = 1.333
- c = (2/30) × 20 = 1.333
- d = 2.375 − ((1/30) × 25) = 1.542
- Rating = ((1.833 + 1.333 + 1.333 + 1.542) / 6) × 100 ≈ 100.7
NFL vs NCAA
College football uses a different formula and scale that can exceed 158.3, so the two are not comparable. This uses the NFL formula. To see what your number means, read what is a good passer rating, and run any stat line through the Passer Rating Calculator.
How is passer rating calculated?
NFL passer rating combines completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown percentage, and interception percentage — each scored 0 to 2.375, then averaged and multiplied by 100/6. The maximum is 158.3.
What is a perfect passer rating?
A perfect NFL passer rating is 158.3, reached when all four components hit their 2.375 cap.
Is NFL passer rating the same as NCAA?
No. College football uses a different formula and scale that can exceed 158.3. The NFL formula is capped at 158.3.