What Is a Field Goal in American Football?

A field goal can rescue a stalled drive, turn a close game, or leave a team wishing it had gone for it on fourth down. It is one of American football’s simplest scoring plays to recognize—but the distance, timing, and decision behind the kick can make it a tense moment.

What a field goal is

A field goal is a scoring play in which a team kicks the ball through the opponent’s goalposts, above the crossbar and between the uprights. It is worth three points. The kick is usually attempted on fourth down when the offense is close enough to have a reasonable chance, but too far from the end zone—or too risky a situation—to try for a first down or touchdown.

Unlike an extra point, which follows a touchdown, a field goal can be attempted during a regular possession. A team may try one from almost anywhere on the field, though the farther away it is, the harder the kick becomes.

How the kick works

A field goal attempt uses three key players: the long snapper, the holder, and the kicker. The long snapper sends the ball backward, usually from around seven yards behind the line of scrimmage. The holder catches it, places it on the ground with the laces turned away from the kicker, and steadies it while the kicker approaches and strikes it.

Timing matters. The snap, placement, and kick happen in just a few seconds, while defenders rush to block the attempt. A small error—a low snap, a bobbled hold, or a kick that sails off line—can spoil the play. The kicker must also account for wind, rain, the condition of the field, and the pressure of the moment.

The goalposts stand at the back of the end zone. In the NFL, the uprights are 18 feet, 6 inches apart, and the crossbar is 10 feet above the ground. For the kick to score, the ball must pass above the crossbar and inside the uprights. If it clips an upright but still goes through correctly, it counts.

How field goal distance is measured

The distance announced for a field goal is longer than the distance from the line of scrimmage to the goal line. The goalposts are at the back of the end zone, 10 yards beyond the goal line, and the holder sets up several yards behind the line of scrimmage.

For example, if the ball is at the opponent’s 25-yard line and the holder is seven yards behind the line, the kick is about 42 yards: 25 yards to the goal line, 10 through the end zone, and roughly seven back to the holder. That is why a kick from the 25 is described as a 42-yard field goal, not a 25-yard one.

When teams choose to kick

Coaches weigh the likely points against the chance of missing and giving the opponent possession. A field goal is often attractive on fourth down when a team is within its kicker’s comfortable range and a touchdown looks unlikely. In a close game, three points may be valuable; when a team is behind late, it may need a touchdown and choose to keep its offense on the field instead.

Field position changes the calculation. A team near the opponent’s goal line might face fourth-and-short and decide to run or pass for a touchdown. From farther away, a long kick may be less appealing than trying to gain enough yards for another first down. The score, time remaining, weather, kicker’s range, and confidence in the offense all matter.

Consider a team trailing by two points in the final minute. A successful field goal would put it ahead, so a coach may prioritize getting the ball into reliable kicking range. But if the team trails by four, a field goal would still leave it behind; reaching the end zone becomes essential.

What happens if the kick misses?

If the ball sails wide or falls short, the attempt scores nothing. The other team generally takes possession, but the exact spot depends on the league’s rules and where the kick was attempted. In the NFL, a missed field goal is generally returned to the spot of the kick, with a special rule placing the ball at the 20-yard line when the attempt came from closer than the 20. College rules differ in their details.

A blocked kick is not always the end of the play. If the ball remains live, either team may be able to recover it, and a defensive player who secures it may return it. The kicking team can also sometimes recover a blocked attempt and continue the play. What happens depends on where the ball is and which players touch it, so a block can turn into a scramble rather than an automatic change of possession.

Field goals, extra points, and safeties

These scoring plays are easy to mix up when you are new to football:

Field goal: A kick through the uprights during a possession; worth three points.
Extra point: A kick attempted after a touchdown; worth one point in the NFL.
Safety: A defensive score awarded when the offense is tackled or commits certain infractions in its own end zone; worth two points.

A field goal is also different from a punt. Both involve kicking the ball, but a punt is mainly used to give the opponent possession farther downfield. A field goal attempt is a scoring try: if successful, the kicking team gets three points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a team kick a field goal on any down?

Yes. A team can attempt a field goal on first, second, third, or fourth down. It is most common on fourth down, when the offense must choose between kicking, attempting to gain a first down, or running a play for a touchdown.

How many points is a field goal?

A successful field goal is worth three points. That is three points fewer than a touchdown, which is worth six before any extra-point or two-point attempt.

Can a field goal be returned?

A missed field goal can be returned if the ball stays live and a defender gains possession. The rules and resulting starting position vary by league and by where the attempt was made. A successful field goal is dead once it scores.

What is the longest field goal?

The record depends on the competition and whether you mean a regular-season, postseason, or college record. Records can change, so check the relevant league’s current record book for the latest mark.

Final Thoughts

A field goal is a three-point kick through the uprights, but deciding whether to attempt one is a larger part of the game. The kicker’s range, the offense’s situation, the score, and the clock all shape the choice. Next time a team lines up on fourth down, watch more than the kick: the decision to try it may be just as important as whether it goes through.

Aiden Cross

Aiden Cross is a sports writer and editor at BeliveSports, covering a broad range of sports with a focus on clear, accurate, and practical information. His work covers rules, techniques, player roles, competitions, equipment, statistics, and the details that help readers better understand how different sports are played. Aiden takes a research-driven approach to sports writing, using reliable sources and established sporting information to provide context rather than simply repeating surface-level facts. His goal is to make complex topics accessible while maintaining the accuracy and depth expected by knowledgeable sports fans. At BeliveSports, Aiden contributes to the site’s editorial standards by focusing on accuracy, clarity, useful context, and reader-first explanations.