How field goal distance is measured
In American football, the official field goal distance is not just the line of scrimmage. It always includes:
- 10 yards for the end zone, plus
- 7 yards from the line of scrimmage to the holder (typical snap depth)
Field goal distance formula
FG distance (yards) = Line of scrimmage (yards from goal line) + 17
Example: ball on the opponent’s 25-yard line → 25 + 17 = 42-yard field goal.
Own side vs. opponent’s side of the field
The yard line number alone doesn’t tell you how far the kick is. You must know which side of the field you’re on:
- On your own side (e.g., your 40): distance = 60 − yard line
- On opponent’s side (e.g., their 30): distance = yard line
That’s why our calculator asks for both the yard line and whether you’re on your own side or the opponent’s side.
What is “field goal range”?
“Field goal range” is the area of the field from which your kicker has a realistic chance to make a field goal. It depends on:
- Leg strength (max distance they can reach the crossbar)
- Accuracy at different distances
- Weather (wind, rain, cold, altitude)
- Field conditions (turf vs. grass, footing)
- Game situation (down, time, score)
Our tool lets you enter a custom max range and confidence level to get a quick “go for it or not” sanity check.
Typical field goal ranges by level
- High school: many kickers are comfortable inside 30–35 yards; strong legs 40–45+
- College: good kickers often have range in the 45–50+ yard area
- NFL: most kickers are expected to be solid inside 45; elite legs can hit 55–60+ in good conditions
Hash marks and kick angle
Hash marks do not change the official field goal distance. The distance is always measured straight down the field from the line of scrimmage to the goalposts, plus 17 yards.
Hash marks do change the angle of the kick:
- NFL: narrow hashes → smaller angles, slightly harder wide kicks
- College & high school: wider hashes → more extreme angles from the sidelines
That’s why offenses often run the ball to the middle of the field before a potential game‑winning kick.
Coaching tips: when to kick vs. go for it
Use the calculator on the sideline or in the booth to quickly answer:
- “Is this within our kicker’s realistic range?”
- “How many yards do we need to gain to get into range?”
- “Is this a chip shot, medium, or long attempt for our kicker?”
Combine the distance with:
- Down & distance: 4th-and-short near the edge of range may favor going for it
- Score & time: late-game situations may justify longer attempts
- Wind direction: kicking into a strong headwind can effectively add 5–10 yards of difficulty
FAQ
Does a bad snap or deeper holder change the official distance?
No. Official distance is based on the line of scrimmage, not the exact spot of the holder. Even if the holder lines up at 8 yards instead of 7, the recorded distance still uses the standard +17 yards.
What about two-point conversions and extra points?
Extra points (PATs) and two-point conversions use fixed line-of-scrimmage spots that differ by level and league. For example, NFL extra points are snapped from the 15-yard line, making them 33-yard kicks (15 + 17).
How can I estimate my kicker’s max range?
In practice, gradually move back in 5-yard increments and track make percentage. The farthest distance where they are consistently above your target make rate (e.g., 70%) is a good working “max range” to plug into this calculator.