A team can score three points with a kick or two points with a play from the end zone—but those scores happen in different situations. The key distinction is that a field goal is a scoring play during a drive, while a two-point conversion is an optional try immediately after a touchdown.
The basic difference
| Feature | Field goal | Two-point conversion |
|---|---|---|
| When it happens | During a normal possession, often on fourth down | Immediately after a touchdown |
| How it is scored | The ball is kicked through the uprights | The offense runs or passes the ball into the end zone |
| Points awarded | 3 | 2 |
What is a field goal?
A field goal is worth three points. The offense usually attempts one when it has reached a position where a kick seems achievable but is unlikely to score a touchdown—or when it faces fourth down and wants points rather than risking a turnover on downs.
On a typical field-goal attempt, the center snaps the ball to a holder, who places it for the kicker. The kick must pass above the crossbar and between the uprights. If it does, the kicking team gets three points and the opposing team takes possession.
Field goals can be attempted from any down, though fourth down is the most common choice. Coaches weigh the distance, score, time left, wind, and confidence in their kicker. A shorter kick may be the sensible choice early in a close game; late in a game, a team that needs a touchdown may choose to keep its offense on the field instead.
How far is a field goal?
The distance is measured from the line of scrimmage to the goalposts, not just to the goal line. The snap and the end zone add distance: in the NFL, a kick from the 30-yard line is typically about a 47-yard attempt. The exact spot can vary with the holder’s placement and the team’s formation.
A missed field goal does not score. The opponent takes possession, with the precise spot determined by the rules of the competition and where the kick was attempted. That risk is part of the decision: a failed kick can give the other team the ball in a useful position.
What is a two-point conversion?
A two-point conversion is a team’s attempt to add two points after it scores a touchdown. The offense gets one play to move the ball into the end zone, either by running it across the goal line or completing a pass to a player in the end zone. A successful try adds two points to the touchdown’s six.
Because the try comes after a touchdown, it is not a way to score independently during a drive. A team cannot line up for a two-point conversion on fourth down, for example. It becomes available only after a touchdown has been scored.
In the NFL, the two-point try begins from the 2-yard line. In college football, it begins from the 3-yard line. In either case, the offense may use a run or a pass. The defense can stop the attempt, and under NFL and college rules it can also return certain turnovers on the try for two points of its own.
Don’t confuse a two-point conversion with an extra point
After a touchdown, a team generally chooses between a kick worth one point and a two-point attempt worth two. The one-point kick is often called an extra point or a point-after-touchdown kick. It looks much like a field goal, but it is a separate type of scoring attempt because it follows a touchdown.
That difference matters when you hear a broadcast. A kicker can make a field goal during a drive for three points, or kick an extra point after a touchdown for one. The fact that both involve sending the ball through the uprights does not make them the same play.
Why choose one over the other?
A field goal is often a lower-risk way to take points when a team is within kicking range. A two-point conversion is a higher-stakes choice after a touchdown: success adds two points, but failure leaves the team with only the touchdown’s six.
The score can make that choice especially important. Suppose a team trails by eight and scores a touchdown. A successful two-point conversion would tie the game at eight points for that sequence; a one-point kick would leave the team trailing by one. Coaches also consider whether their offense has a favorable matchup near the goal line and how much time remains.
For a simpler example, if a team has the ball at its opponent’s 25-yard line on fourth down, it might kick a field goal for three points. If that same team scores a touchdown, it can then choose the one-point kick or try a run or pass for two. The first is a standalone scoring play; the second is part of the post-touchdown try.
Related Articles
- When Is a Two-Point Conversion Used in American Football?
- Two-Point Conversion in American Football: How It Works
- Field Goal vs. Extra Point: Key Differences in Football
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a field goal be worth two points?
In standard NFL and college football, a successful field goal is worth three points. A two-point conversion is a separate play after a touchdown and is not scored by kicking through the uprights.
Is an extra-point kick the same as a field goal?
They use a similar kicking technique, but they are different scoring attempts. A field goal during a drive is worth three points; the kick after a touchdown is worth one.
Can a team attempt a two-point conversion without scoring a touchdown?
No. A two-point try is available only after a touchdown. During a normal drive, a team can score a touchdown or attempt a field goal, among other options.
Can the defense score on a two-point attempt?
Yes. In the NFL and college football, the defense can score two points by returning a qualifying fumble or interception on the try into the opponent’s end zone.
Final Thoughts
Remember the situation and the value: a field goal is a three-point kick attempted during a possession, while a two-point conversion is a run-or-pass try available only after a touchdown. They can both change a close game, but they serve different purposes—and knowing when each is possible makes the scoreboard easier to read.
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.