NFL passer rating.

Worked example

20 completions on 30 attempts for 250 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. a = (20/30 − 0.3) × 5 = 1.8333; b = (250/30 − 3) × 0.25 = 1.3333; c = (2/30) × 20 = 1.3333; d = 2.375 − (1/30 × 25) = 1.5417. Rating = (1.8333 + 1.3333 + 1.3333 + 1.5417) / 6 × 100 = 100.7.

How it works

Four components, each limited to 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. A negative component is set to 0 and a component above 2.375 is set to 2.375, so the rating runs from 0 to 158.3. A perfect 158.3 needs at least a 77.5% completion rate, 12.5 yards per attempt, a touchdown on at least 11.875% of attempts and no interceptions.

This is the NFL’s official passing-efficiency rating since 1973. It is not ESPN’s QBR, which is a different, proprietary measure.

Sources and basis (checked 2026-10-05): Passer rating (formula, 0 to 158.3 scale and component limits); Pro Football Hall of Fame, NFL’s Passer Rating.

FAQ

How is NFL passer rating calculated?

Four components from completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown percentage and interception percentage are each limited to 0 to 2.375, added, divided by 6 and multiplied by 100.

What is a perfect passer rating?

158.3. It takes at least 77.5% completions, 12.5 yards per attempt, touchdowns on about 11.9% of attempts and no interceptions.

What is the lowest passer rating?

0.0, which is what you get when all four components are zero.

Is passer rating the same as QBR?

No. Passer rating is a fixed formula using five box-score stats. QBR is a separate proprietary metric that also considers context.

Can a passer rating be higher than 158.3?

No. Each component is capped at 2.375, which caps the rating at 158.3.