How Field Goal Distance Is Measured Might Surprise You
How field goal distance is measured
Field goal distance is measured from the line of scrimmage to the goal posts, but the number on the scoreboard adds the 10-yard end zone and usually about 7 yards of snap-and-hold depth, so the official attempt is typically 17 yards longer than the line of scrimmage spot. That is why a kick from the 20-yard line is commonly listed as a 37-yard field goal, even though the ball is not actually kicked from the 20.
How the math works
The basic formula used by broadcasters, coaches, and fans is simple: field goal distance equals the line of scrimmage yard line plus 10 yards for the end zone plus about 7 yards for where the holder spots the ball. In practical terms, the kick is measured to the point where the ball is held, not to the exact plane of the uprights, because the ball must travel from the line of scrimmage through the end zone and then through the goal area.
- Line of scrimmage: the starting point of the play.
- End zone depth: 10 yards in American football.
- Holder depth: usually about 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
- Listed distance: the number teams and TV broadcasts use for the attempt.
Simple examples
A field goal from the opponent's 20-yard line is usually announced as a 37-yard attempt, because 20 plus 10 plus 7 equals 37. A kick from the opponent's 35-yard line is usually announced as a 52-yard attempt, because 35 plus 10 plus 7 equals 52. The exact setup can vary slightly, but the standard method is consistent enough that fans quickly learn to estimate the distance by adding 17 yards to the line of scrimmage.
| Line of scrimmage | End zone | Holder depth | Listed field goal distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-yard line | 10 yards | 7 yards | 37 yards |
| 25-yard line | 10 yards | 7 yards | 42 yards |
| 30-yard line | 10 yards | 7 yards | 47 yards |
| 35-yard line | 10 yards | 7 yards | 52 yards |
Why the distance looks off
The measurement surprises many casual viewers because the kick is not measured from the spot of the snap alone. The ball must still cross the 10-yard end zone before reaching the uprights, and kickers also stand back from the line of scrimmage so the holder has time and space to place the ball. That extra spacing is why the number announced on television is longer than the visible field position might suggest.
"The number you hear is really a shorthand for the full path the ball has to travel, not just the distance from the snap."
What officials and announcers count
Announcers usually calculate the distance from the line of scrimmage to the hold, then add the end zone depth to reach the uprights. Officials do not treat the kick as a pure geometric line from the kicker's foot to the goal line, because the play starts at the line of scrimmage and the ball must be kicked from behind it. The result is a standardized, easy-to-read number that makes comparing kicks across games much simpler.
- Find the line of scrimmage.
- Add 10 yards for the end zone.
- Add about 7 yards for the holder's spot.
- State the total as the field goal distance.
Historical context
The way field goal distance is described has stayed remarkably consistent because football fields and kicking mechanics have remained standardized for decades. Modern NFL goalposts sit at the back of the end zone, which reinforces the common 17-yard rule of thumb. That convention has become part of football language, so a "short" kick or a "long" kick often says as much about game situation as it does about raw yardage.
Why the holder matters
The holder's spot is one reason the measurement is an estimate rather than a perfectly exact distance to the posts. Most place kicks are held roughly 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage, but teams can adjust that depth based on the kicker's preference, field conditions, or blocking strategy. A slightly deeper hold can change the practical feel of the kick even if the announced yardage stays the same.
Common misunderstandings
Many people assume a field goal from the 30-yard line is a 30-yard kick, but that is not how football scoring labels work. Others think the posts themselves are measured directly from the ball, when the more useful convention is the total travel distance from the line of scrimmage through the end zone to the hold. The simplest memory aid is to add 17 yards to the line of scrimmage for a standard NFL-style field goal attempt.
Practical takeaway
If you want to estimate field goal distance quickly, add 17 yards to the line of scrimmage. That rule gives you the number most broadcasts and game reports use, and it explains why field goal attempts are always longer than the yard line where the offense lines up. The surprise is not that the kick is measured strangely; it is that football has a very tidy shorthand for a play that involves several different distances at once.
Everything you need to know about How Field Goal Distance Is Measured
Is the field goal distance always exact?
No. The listed distance is a standardized estimate based on a typical holder depth of about 7 yards, so the real-world setup can be a yard or so different depending on the team and situation.
Why do people add 17 yards?
They add 17 yards because an American football field has a 10-yard end zone and the holder usually sets the ball about 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
Does this work the same in every league?
The general idea is the same, but goalpost placement, field dimensions, and kick setup can differ between leagues, so the exact calculation may not match perfectly everywhere.
Why does a kick from the 20 become a 37-yard attempt?
Because 20 yards from the line of scrimmage plus 10 yards for the end zone plus 7 yards to the holder equals 37 yards.