How Fantasy Football Scoring Works
A complete guide to fantasy football points — every format, every position, every platform. Use our free calculator to apply what you learn.
The Basics: What Are Fantasy Points?
Fantasy football points are numerical scores assigned to your drafted players based on their real-world NFL performance each week. Your team's score is the sum of points earned by the players in your active lineup. At the end of each week, your score is compared to your opponent's — the higher score wins.
The exact point values for each stat are determined by your league's scoring settings, which can vary significantly between platforms (ESPN, Yahoo, Sleeper, NFL.com) and between leagues on the same platform. The most important variable is whether your league uses standard scoring, half-PPR, or full PPR.
Points accumulate from the moment the first NFL game of the week kicks off until the final whistle Sunday night (or Monday/Thursday night if those players are active in your lineup). Most platforms update scores in real time.
Standard vs PPR vs Half-PPR Scoring
These three formats are the most widely used in fantasy football. The only difference between them is how — and whether — they award points for receptions (catches). Everything else — touchdowns, yards, turnovers — is typically identical.
| Stat | Standard | Half-PPR | Full PPR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reception (catch) | 0 pts | 0.5 pts | 1 pt |
| Rushing / Receiving TD | 6 pts | 6 pts | 6 pts |
| Rushing / Receiving Yards | 1 pt / 10 yds | 1 pt / 10 yds | 1 pt / 10 yds |
| Passing TD | 4 pts | 4 pts | 4 pts |
| Passing Yards | 1 pt / 25 yds | 1 pt / 25 yds | 1 pt / 25 yds |
| Interception thrown | -2 pts | -2 pts | -2 pts |
Standard Scoring
Only yards and touchdowns count. A 5-catch, 50-yard game and a 2-catch, 50-yard game score the same. Workhorse RBs with high carry volume are most valuable. Less common on major platforms today.
Half-PPR (Most Popular)
Every reception earns 0.5 points. Balances the formats well — volume still matters but doesn't completely dominate. Default on many leagues. ESPN uses half-PPR as a common setting.
Full PPR
Every reception is worth 1 full point. Slot receivers, pass-catching RBs, and high-target TEs are massively boosted. A player with 10 catches and 80 yards scores 18 points from receptions + yards alone.
How Points Are Scored By Position
Quarterback
QBs score primarily through the air. A standard passing week of 300 yards and 2 TDs nets roughly 20 points — which is why elite QBs are consistent weekly starters. The key penalties are interceptions (-2 pts each) and fumbles lost (-2 pts each).
Running Back
RBs earn points through carries and catches. In PPR leagues, pass-catching backs who see 6–8 targets per game can outscore workhorse RBs with fewer receptions despite higher carry totals. The 100-yard rushing bonus (+3 pts on some platforms) is not universal — check your league settings.
Wide Receiver
WRs score almost exclusively through receiving stats. In full PPR, a WR with 8 catches for 90 yards scores 17 points just from those two stats before accounting for TDs — making target volume the most important factor for evaluating WR value.
Tight End
TEs score identically to WRs on the receiving side. The key difference: elite TEs (Travis Kelce-tier) are rare. Most TEs average under 8 fantasy points per game, making top TEs one of the most valuable draft assets.
Kicker
Defense / Special Teams
DST scoring uses tiered bonuses for points allowed — the fewer points the opposing offense scores, the more your defense earns. A shutout is worth +10 points, while allowing 35+ points typically costs you points.
Real Scoring Examples
Here's what a typical big week looks like for each position in half-PPR scoring:
Stats: 320 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 INT, 25 rushing yards
(320÷25) + (3×4) − (1×2) + (25÷10) = 12.8 + 12 − 2 + 2.5 = 25.3 pts
Stats: 95 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 5 receptions, 40 receiving yards
(95÷10) + 6 + (5×0.5) + (40÷10) = 9.5 + 6 + 2.5 + 4 = 22 pts
Stats: 9 receptions, 110 receiving yards, 1 TD
(9×1) + (110÷10) + 6 = 9 + 11 + 6 = 26 pts
Stats: 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery, 10 points allowed
(3×1) + (1×2) + (1×2) + 1 (pts allowed tier) = 8 pts
Frequently Asked Questions
How do fantasy points work in NFL leagues?
Fantasy points are awarded based on your drafted players' real-world NFL stats each week. Points accumulate from touchdowns, yards gained, receptions (in PPR leagues), and other stats. Your team's total score is compared against your opponent's score at the end of the week — the higher score wins.
What is the difference between PPR and standard scoring?
In PPR (Points Per Reception) leagues, players earn bonus points for each catch — 1 point in full PPR, or 0.5 points in half-PPR. Standard scoring awards nothing for receptions. The same player performance can differ by 8–10 points between standard and full PPR depending on reception volume.
Do fantasy points reset every week?
Yes. Fantasy points reset to zero at the start of each week. Each week is an independent head-to-head matchup. Your total season points matter for playoff seeding tiebreakers, but weekly wins and losses determine your record.
How many points is a touchdown worth in fantasy football?
A rushing or receiving touchdown is worth 6 points. A passing touchdown (thrown by a QB) is worth 4 points. A 2-point conversion is worth 2 points. These values are consistent across ESPN, Yahoo, and Sleeper in their default settings.
How do you calculate a QB's fantasy points?
Divide passing yards by 25 (1 pt per 25 yds), add 4 points per passing TD, subtract 2 points per interception, add 1 point per 10 rushing yards, and add 6 points per rushing TD. Example: 300 passing yards + 2 TDs + 1 INT = 12 + 8 − 2 = 18 points.
What is a good fantasy football score?
In half-PPR scoring, a team score of 120–140 points is considered a strong week. 150+ points is elite. Scores below 90 points are typically losing performances. A good score depends on your league's average — check the weekly high scorer in your league as a benchmark.
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Related Guides
Also useful: NFL.com Fantasy — official platform with customizable scoring settings.