Calculate NFL or NCAA quarterback passer rating to evaluate passing performance. The most comprehensive measure of QB efficiency.
Last updated: March 2026 | By Patchworkr Team
Passer Rating
104.5
| Rating Range | Performance Level | NFL Context |
|---|---|---|
| 110+ | Elite/Historic | Hall of Famers, MVP seasons (Mahomes, Peyton Manning era peaks) |
| 100-109 | Excellent | Pro-Bowl caliber, championship-level performance |
| 90-99 | Very Good | Strong starter, capable of winning games |
| 80-89 | Good | Solid professional, average to above-average starter |
| 70-79 | Average | League average, typical starter baseline |
| Below 70 | Below Average/Poor | Backup/reserve level, needs improvement |
💡 Pro Tip: A single game rating can be volatile. Judge QBs on season averages (15+ starts) and in context with situation (opponent strength, supporting cast). Tom Brady's career ~95, Mahomes peak ~112.
Passer rating (or QB rating) is a comprehensive measure of quarterback passing performance that combines completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown-to-attempt ratio, and interception-to-attempt ratio. Developed in 1973, it has become the standard metric for evaluating QB efficiency in professional football.
Unlike simpler statistics like yards or touchdowns alone, passer rating contextualizes performance relative to risk. A quarterback might throw for 400 yards but 3 interceptions, resulting in a lower rating than someone with 300 yards and no interceptions. The metric ranges from 0 to 158.3, with 100 traditionally considered excellent performance.
NFL and NCAA use different formulas, reflecting differences in game rules and styles. Legendary performances (like Joe Montana's 122.8 career average or Patrick Mahomes' single-season peaks above 110) are considered elite-level QB play.
An NFL QB single game:
It was arbitrary when created in 1973. A perfect 158.3 rating would require impossible performance (perfect completion %, massive yards, all TDs, no INTs). The scale was adjusted so 100 represents excellent play.
In NFL, theoretically yes if algorithms change, but the formula was designed with a maximum around 158.3. In NCAA, ratings can exceed 200 due to different formula weighting.
Interceptions are turnovers that directly harm your team. The formula weights INT negatively to reflect this risk. Throwing no interceptions dramatically improves rating more than adding touchdowns.
No, it only measures what the QB accomplishes. Two QBs with identical stats get identical ratings regardless of offensive line quality, receiver talent, or opposing defense strength.
Passer rating is box-score based and purely volume. QBR (ESPN) adjusts for game context, pressure, and EPA. Both are useful but measure different aspects of QB performance.
Technically yes, but passer rating is meaningful primarily in competitive games where defense plays seriously. Preseason ratings are less predictive of regular season performance.
Consistently excellent performance (high completion %, good yards, multiple TDs, minimal INTs) pushes ratings into this range. Perfection is statistically nearly impossible over a full game.
No, single-game ratings are volatile. A three-INT game might give a 45 rating even to Hall of Famers. Season-long averages (15+ starts) are much more predictive.