A team can move the ball all the way to the goal line and still come away with three points—or score six without kicking at all. The difference between a touchdown and a field goal comes down to how the ball reaches the scoring area, how many points the play earns, and what the offense is trying to accomplish.
The basic difference
A touchdown is worth six points. A team scores one by carrying the ball into the opponent’s end zone, catching a pass there, or recovering a qualifying loose ball in the end zone. The player must have possession and satisfy the rules for a score—for example, a runner needs to get the ball across the goal-line plane.
A field goal is worth three points. It is scored when a placekick travels between the upright posts and above the crossbar. The kick is usually made with a holder placing the ball on the ground, though it can also be kicked from the ground without a holder. Unlike a touchdown, a field goal does not require the offense to enter the end zone with the ball.
| Feature | Touchdown | Field goal |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 6 | 3 |
| How it is scored | The ball is carried, caught, or recovered in the end zone under scoring rules | A kick passes between the uprights and above the crossbar |
| What follows | The team gets a conversion try | The scoring play is over; there is no conversion try |
How a touchdown works
Touchdowns can come from several kinds of plays. A running back might break a tackle and carry the ball over the goal line. A quarterback might throw to a receiver who catches the ball in the end zone. A defender can also score by returning an interception or fumble for a touchdown.
After a touchdown, the scoring team gets one play called a try, or conversion. It can kick for one extra point or run or pass the ball into the end zone for two points. That is why a touchdown followed by a successful extra-point kick usually puts seven points on the scoreboard, while a successful two-point conversion makes it eight.
The conversion is a separate scoring opportunity, not part of the touchdown itself. If the try fails, the touchdown still counts for six. This matters late in close games: a team trailing by two might choose a two-point try after scoring, while a team seeking the safer route may kick for one.
How a field goal works
A field goal is a kick made from a scrimmage play. The offense snaps the ball to a holder, who sets it for the kicker; the kick must pass through the goalposts. Teams often attempt one on fourth down when they are within a reasonable range but do not expect to reach the first-down marker or score a touchdown.
For a quick distance estimate, a field-goal attempt is often about 17 yards longer than the line of scrimmage, because the snap and the goalposts’ position beyond the goal line add distance. So a kick attempted from the opponent’s 30-yard line is roughly a 47-yard field goal. The exact distance depends on where the ball is snapped.
If the kick misses, the opponent takes possession. The precise placement depends on the league’s rules and where the ball ends up, so a missed attempt is not always simply a change of possession at the spot of the kick. Either way, a miss gives the offense no points.
Why choose three points instead of going for six?
A touchdown is worth more, but it is harder to get. On fourth down, a coach might face a choice: attempt a field goal, try to gain the remaining yards, or attempt a touchdown if the team is close to the end zone. The decision depends on the score, time remaining, field position, and confidence in the offense and kicker.
Suppose a team is down 20–17 late in the game. A field goal would tie the score at 20–20. A touchdown with a successful extra point would put the team ahead 24–20. If the offense is near the goal line, going for a touchdown may offer a bigger reward, but a failed fourth-down play could hand the opponent the ball without scoring at all.
A field goal can also be the sensible choice when a drive stalls. Three points may be valuable, particularly in a low-scoring game or when time is running short. But the distance matters: a long attempt is more likely to miss, and a miss can leave the other team with a useful field position.
Common mix-ups
A touchdown is not automatically seven points
The touchdown itself is six. Seven is the common total when the team also makes its one-point kick. A two-point conversion creates an eight-point total, and a failed try leaves the team with six.
A field goal is different from a punt
Both involve a kick, but their purposes are different. A field goal is an attempt to score three points by kicking through the uprights. A punt is mainly a way to give up possession while pushing the opponent farther from the scoring area; a standard punt is not worth points.
Touchdowns are not limited to offensive players
Any eligible player who scores under the rules can reach the end zone. A defender who returns a turnover for a touchdown scores six just as the offense would. The team then gets its conversion try.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a team score a field goal on any down?
Yes. A team can attempt a field goal on any down, though teams usually save the attempt for fourth down if they are not likely to keep the drive alive. A successful kick earns three points.
Is a touchdown always worth more than a field goal?
Yes. A touchdown is worth six points before the conversion try, twice the value of a field goal. If the team makes its extra-point kick, the usual total is seven.
What happens after a field goal?
After a successful field goal, the scoring team kicks off and the other team takes possession. There is no extra-point attempt after a field goal.
Can a field goal be worth more than three points?
No. A successful field goal is worth three points, regardless of its distance. A longer kick is harder to make, but it does not earn extra points.
Final Thoughts
The simplest distinction is that a touchdown is a six-point score made by getting the ball into the end zone, while a field goal is a three-point score made by kicking the ball through the uprights. Touchdowns offer the bigger reward and a conversion try; field goals are a lower-scoring option that can rescue points when a drive stalls. Knowing that difference makes fourth-down decisions—and the scoreboard that follows—much 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.