A touchdown does not always settle the scoring. After crossing the goal line, a team gets another chance to add points—and the choice between kicking and running or passing the ball can shape the game. That is where the field goal and the extra point differ: both involve a kick in many situations, but they happen at different times and serve different purposes.
The short answer
A field goal is a scoring play worth three points. A team can try one during a possession, usually on fourth down when it is close enough to the goalposts but does not want to risk going for a first down.
An extra point is the one-point option after a touchdown. The official term is a try, or point-after-touchdown attempt. The team can kick for one point or run or pass the ball into the end zone for a two-point conversion.
| Feature | Field goal | Extra point |
|---|---|---|
| When it happens | During a possession, whenever the team chooses to attempt a kick | After a touchdown |
| Points for a successful kick | 3 | 1 |
| Other scoring option | No alternate value; a fake may instead produce a touchdown | Run or pass for 2 points |
| Typical situation | Often fourth down, when a team weighs a kick against going for it | Immediately after the six-point touchdown |
How a field goal works
On a field-goal attempt, the holder places the ball for the kicker, and the kick must pass above the crossbar and between the uprights. If it goes through, the kicking team earns three points. The attempt is not limited to fourth down, but teams commonly choose it then because a missed kick can cost them the ball.
Distance matters. The listed field-goal distance includes the distance from the line of scrimmage to the goal line, the end zone, and the space behind the line where the ball is held. So a kick described as 50 yards is not simply 50 yards from the goal line. Longer attempts are more difficult, and coaches weigh the kicker’s range, the wind, the score, and how much time remains.
If the kick misses, the result depends on where the ball was snapped and what happens to it. In the NFL, when a missed field goal does not cross the line of scrimmage, the opposing team takes possession at the spot of the kick. If it travels beyond the line and lands out of bounds or is untouched, the opponent generally takes over at the line of scrimmage. Other levels have their own details, so the precise placement rule can vary.
A field-goal attempt can also be a fake. The holder might run or pass instead of setting the ball, hoping to catch the defense off guard and gain a first down or score a touchdown. That is still a field-goal situation, but it is no longer a kick for three points.
How the extra point works
After a touchdown, the scoring team gets a try. It can kick the ball through the uprights for one point, or attempt a two-point conversion by advancing the ball into the end zone on a run or pass. The choice belongs to the offense; it is not a separate field goal.
The kick looks much like a short field goal, but the setup is different. In the NFL, the ball is snapped from the 15-yard line for a kicked try, making the kick roughly 33 yards. In college football, the ball is snapped from the 3-yard line for the try, so the kick is much shorter. Rules and strategy can differ across leagues.
A successful extra-point kick adds one point to the six earned by the touchdown. A successful two-point conversion adds two instead. If the try fails, the touchdown still counts; the team simply does not receive the extra point or conversion points.
The defense can score on a try, too. In the NFL and college, if defenders gain possession on a turnover or a blocked kick and return the ball to the opposite end zone, they can score two points. It is an uncommon outcome, but it is one reason a try remains a live play rather than a ceremonial kick.
Why the distinction matters in a game
Picture a team trailing 24–20 that scores a touchdown. The touchdown is worth six, putting it ahead 26–24. A routine successful extra-point kick makes the score 27–24. Choosing a two-point conversion could instead make it 28–24—but if the try fails, the team stays at 26.
Now consider a team on fourth down near the opponent’s 25-yard line, with no touchdown on the play. It may send out its kicker for a field goal. Make it, and the score rises by three; miss it, and the opponent gets the ball. There is no extra-point attempt because no touchdown has just been scored.
Coaches make these decisions with the score and clock in mind. A team that needs two points may choose a two-point try after a touchdown rather than kick for one. A team that needs only a field goal late in a game may play conservatively to reach a manageable kicking distance. In both cases, the value of the points matters as much as the kick itself.
Related Articles
- What Is an Extra Point in American Football?
- Why Is the Field Goal Important in American Football?
- Extra Point vs. Safety in American Football: Key Differences
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a field goal be kicked after a touchdown?
A team does not use a field goal as its post-touchdown scoring option. After a touchdown, it gets a try: a kick for one point or a run or pass for two. A three-point field goal is attempted during a regular possession.
Is an extra point always worth one point?
The phrase often refers specifically to the one-point kick. More broadly, the post-touchdown try can also be a two-point conversion if the offense runs or passes the ball into the end zone.
Can a team attempt a field goal on any down?
Yes. A team can attempt a field goal on any down, though it most often does so on fourth down. On earlier downs, teams may prefer to keep the drive going and save the kick as a fallback.
What happens if an extra-point kick is missed?
The touchdown remains worth six points, but the team gets no point for the failed kick. The try ends, and play resumes according to the rules for that league and situation.
Final Thoughts
The simplest way to keep the terms straight is to look at the moment and the score: a field goal is a three-point kick during a possession, while an extra point is the one-point kick available after a touchdown. And because a team can choose a two-point conversion instead, the post-touchdown play is really a scoring decision—not just a shorter version of a field goal.
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.