What is the NFL Passer Rating?
The NFL Passer Rating, often called “Quarterback Rating” or “QB Rating,” is the official metric used by the National Football League to evaluate the performance of quarterbacks. Developed in 1973 by a committee led by former NFL executive Don Smith, this complex formula has been the standard for measuring quarterback efficiency for nearly 50 years.
The passer rating calculates a score between 0 and 158.3 based on four key components:
Completion percentage
Yards per attempt
Touchdown percentage
Interception percentage
Why is the maximum rating 158.3? The formula caps each component at 2.375, and when these are combined and scaled, the perfect score becomes 158.3 rather than a round number like 100.
How to Use Our NFL QB Passer Rating Calculator
Our professional-grade calculator makes it easy to compute accurate passer ratings with step-by-step breakdowns. Here’s how to get the most out of this powerful tool:
Step-by-Step Guide
Enter Basic Statistics
Passing Attempts: Total number of passes thrown (must be at least 1)
Completions: Number of completed passes (cannot exceed attempts)
Passing Yards: Total yards gained from completed passes
Touchdown Passes: Number of passing touchdowns
Interceptions: Number of passes intercepted by the defense
View Instant Results
Your passer rating appears immediately as you type
See color-coded interpretation (Poor, Average, Good, Excellent, Elite)
Compare your rating to NFL standards and historical performances
Analyze the Breakdown
Expand the “Formula Breakdown” section to see how each component contributes
Understand the four calculation components with actual values
Learn why certain stats impact the rating more than others
Use Advanced Features
Preset Buttons: Quickly load famous QB performances (Perfect 158.3, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady)
History Tracking: Review your last 10 calculations
Share Results: Post your ratings on social media or copy to clipboard
Comparison Mode: See how your rating stacks up against NFL greats
Pro Tips for Accurate Calculations
Use decimal points for passing yards when needed (e.g., 285.5 yards)
Ensure completions never exceed attempts – the calculator will show an error if this happens
Try the preset buttons to understand what elite performance looks like
Check the efficiency metrics below the main rating for additional insights
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a good NFL passer rating?
0-59.9: Poor
60-69.9: Below Average
70-84.9: Average
85-94.9: Good
95-104.9: Very Good
105-117.9: Excellent
118-158.3: Elite
The NFL average typically ranges between 85-95, while elite quarterbacks consistently score above 100.
How is the perfect 158.3 rating achieved?
To achieve a perfect passer rating, a quarterback must meet these minimum thresholds:
77.5% completion rate (at least 31 completions in 40 attempts)
12.5 yards per attempt (500 yards in 40 attempts)
11.9% touchdown rate (1 TD per 8.4 attempts)
0 interceptions
Why do interceptions hurt the rating so much?
Interceptions have the largest negative impact because the interception component is calculated as (2.375 – (INT/ATT × 25)). Each interception significantly reduces this component, dramatically lowering the overall rating.
Is the NFL passer rating the best way to evaluate quarterbacks?
While widely used, the passer rating has limitations:
Doesn’t account for sacks, fumbles, or rushing statistics
Overvalues certain types of plays while undervaluing others
Many analysts prefer newer metrics like QBR (Total Quarterback Rating) or ANY/A (Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt)
However, it remains the official NFL standard and provides a consistent historical benchmark.
What’s the difference between passer rating and QBR?
Passer Rating: Official NFL formula based only on passing statistics
QBR (ESPN): Includes all aspects of quarterback play (rushing, sacks, context) and scales from 0-100
Who holds the record for highest single-season passer rating?
Aaron Rodgers holds the record with a 122.5 rating in the 2011 season. The highest career rating belongs to Patrick Mahomes (currently 106.0).
Can a quarterback have a negative passer rating?
No, the rating is capped at 0 on the lower end. Terrible performances will approach 0 but cannot go negative.
Why is the formula so complicated?
The NFL designed the formula to balance four important aspects of quarterback play while preventing any single stat from dominating the rating. The complexity ensures a more nuanced evaluation.
How often is the passer rating formula updated?
The core formula has remained largely unchanged since 1973, with only minor adjustments to how certain situations are handled.
Do playoff games count toward career passer rating?
No, official NFL passer ratings are calculated using regular season statistics only. Playoff stats are tracked separately.
What was the lowest passer rating in NFL history?
The lowest single-game rating (minimum 10 attempts) is 0.0, achieved by several quarterbacks who had terrible performances with multiple interceptions and no touchdowns.
Why Use Our Calculator?
Our NFL QB Passer Rating Calculator stands out because it:
Provides instant results with live calculation as you type
Shows detailed breakdowns of all four formula components
Includes historical context and comparisons to famous performances
Offers educational value by explaining the “why” behind the numbers
Works perfectly on all devices – mobile, tablet, and desktop
Requires no downloads or installations – completely web-based
Whether you’re a coach analyzing game film, a fantasy football player researching matchups, or a fan wanting to understand quarterback performance better, this tool provides professional-grade analysis at your fingertips.
Ready to calculate your quarterback’s rating? Use the calculator above and discover what those numbers really mean!