ESPN Fantasy Scoring — Complete Settings Guide
Default point values, how to check your league settings, and how ESPN scoring compares to Yahoo and Sleeper.
ESPN Fantasy Football Default Scoring
ESPN Fantasy Football uses a customizable scoring system. By default, new ESPN leagues launch with standard scoring (no PPR) or half-PPR (0.5 pts per reception) depending on the league type selected at setup. The most common ESPN public league format is half-PPR.
Your specific league scoring may differ from the defaults below — commissioners can adjust any setting. Always check your league's scoring page to confirm exact values before making start/sit decisions.
ESPN Default Scoring Table
Passing
| Stat | ESPN Default Points |
|---|---|
| Passing yards | 1 pt per 25 yards (0.04/yd) |
| Passing touchdown | +4 pts |
| Interception thrown | -2 pts |
| 40+ yard passing TD (bonus) | +2 pts (some leagues) |
| 300+ yard passing game (bonus) | +3 pts (some leagues) |
Rushing
| Stat | ESPN Default Points |
|---|---|
| Rushing yards | 1 pt per 10 yards (0.1/yd) |
| Rushing touchdown | +6 pts |
| 40+ yard rushing TD (bonus) | +2 pts (some leagues) |
| 100+ yard rushing game (bonus) | +3 pts (some leagues) |
Receiving (PPR-dependent)
| Stat | Standard | Half-PPR | Full PPR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reception | 0 pts | 0.5 pts | 1 pt |
| Receiving yards | 0.1/yd | 0.1/yd | 0.1/yd |
| Receiving touchdown | +6 pts | +6 pts | +6 pts |
Kicker
| Stat | ESPN Default Points |
|---|---|
| Field goal 0–39 yards | +3 pts |
| Field goal 40–49 yards | +4 pts |
| Field goal 50+ yards | +5 pts |
| Extra point (PAT) | +1 pt |
| Missed field goal | -1 pt |
Defense / Special Teams (DST)
| Stat | ESPN Default Points |
|---|---|
| Sack | +1 pt |
| Interception | +2 pts |
| Fumble recovery | +2 pts |
| Defensive / return touchdown | +6 pts |
| Safety | +2 pts |
| Blocked kick | +2 pts |
| Shutout (0 pts allowed) | +10 pts |
| Allow 1–6 pts | +7 pts |
| Allow 7–13 pts | +4 pts |
| Allow 14–17 pts | +1 pt |
| Allow 18–27 pts | 0 pts |
| Allow 28–34 pts | -1 pt |
| Allow 35–45 pts | -3 pts |
| Allow 46+ pts | -5 pts |
How to Check Your ESPN League Scoring Settings
Because ESPN leagues are highly customizable, the defaults above may not match your specific league. Here's how to verify:
- 1Log in to ESPN Fantasy Football and go to your league home page.
- 2Click League in the top navigation bar, then select Settings.
- 3Click on the Scoring tab to see every stat category and its assigned point value.
- 4Note the Receiving section — the reception point value tells you if it's standard (0), half-PPR (0.5), or full PPR (1.0).
ESPN vs Yahoo vs Sleeper: Default Scoring Differences
| Scoring Category | ESPN | Yahoo | Sleeper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default format | Standard / Half-PPR | Half-PPR (default) | Half-PPR (default) |
| Reception value (default) | 0 or 0.5 pts | 0.5 pts | 0.5 pts |
| Passing TD | 4 pts | 4 pts | 4 pts |
| Passing yards (per yard) | 0.04 pts | 0.04 pts | 0.04 pts |
| Rushing TD | 6 pts | 6 pts | 6 pts |
| Receiving TD | 6 pts | 6 pts | 6 pts |
| Interception thrown | -2 pts | -2 pts | -2 pts |
| Fumble lost | -2 pts | -2 pts | -2 pts |
| DST shutout bonus | +10 pts | +10 pts | +10 pts |
Key takeaway: The core scoring is nearly identical across major platforms. The biggest variable is always the reception value, and whether bonus stats (100-yard games, 40+ yard TDs) are enabled in your specific league.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ESPN's default fantasy football scoring?
ESPN's default scoring awards 4 points per passing TD, 6 points per rushing/receiving TD, 1 point per 10 rushing/receiving yards, and 1 point per 25 passing yards. New ESPN leagues default to standard scoring or half-PPR depending on the league type selected at setup.
Does ESPN use PPR or standard scoring by default?
ESPN allows commissioners to choose at setup. Many ESPN public leagues use half-PPR (0.5 pts per reception) as the default. You can verify your format by going to League → Settings → Scoring.
How do I change my ESPN fantasy scoring settings?
Go to your ESPN Fantasy league, click League in the top nav, then Settings, then the Scoring tab. Only the commissioner can change scoring settings, and most changes must be made before the season draft.
How are ESPN fantasy points calculated for a QB?
Passing yards ÷ 25 = points, plus 4 points per passing TD, minus 2 per interception, plus 1 point per 10 rushing yards, plus 6 per rushing TD. Example: 300 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT = 12 + 8 − 2 = 18 fantasy points.
Why do my ESPN points differ from other fantasy calculators?
Differences usually come from your league's custom settings. ESPN leagues are fully customizable — bonuses for 100-yard games, different DST tiers, or altered TD values can all cause a gap. Always check your specific league's scoring page.
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