Yards Per Attempt Calculator
Yards per attempt (YPA) is one of the most important efficiency metrics in American football for both passing and rushing. For passers, YPA = Passing Yards / Attempts. The adjusted version (AY/A) adds a bonus for touchdowns and a penalty for interceptions to better reflect the quality of each attempt. Enter the stats below to calculate both basic and adjusted yards per attempt.
YPA and AY/A formulas
YPA = Total Yards / Attempts
AY/A = (Yards + 20 × TD - 45 × INT) / Attempts
The AY/A formula was developed by Pete Palmer and published in The Hidden Game of Football (1988). It remains the standard adjusted efficiency metric for quarterbacks, widely used in analytical football circles.
YPA benchmarks
- YPA above 8.5: Elite passing efficiency, rare at any level.
- YPA 7.5 to 8.5: Excellent NFL passer.
- YPA 6.5 to 7.5: League-average NFL range.
- YPA 4.5 to 6.5: Below average for NFL starters.
- YPA below 4.5: Well below average; typically leads to poor outcomes.
Yards per attempt: frequently asked questions
What is yards per attempt (YPA)?
Yards per attempt measures the average yards gained on each passing or rushing attempt. For passing, YPA = Total Passing Yards / Pass Attempts. It is one of the most predictive single stats for quarterback performance.
What is adjusted yards per attempt (AY/A)?
Adjusted yards per attempt incorporates touchdowns and interceptions: AY/A = (Yards + 20*TD - 45*INT) / Attempts. The 20 bonus for touchdowns and 45 penalty for interceptions reflect their approximate impact on expected points.
What is a good YPA in the NFL?
An NFL passer with a YPA above 8.0 is excellent. League-average YPA is typically around 6.5 to 7.5. For rushing, an average running back aims for 4.0 or more yards per carry. Big play threats often show YPA above 5.0 on the ground.
Does YPA apply to rushing as well as passing?
Yes. For rushing, YPA = Total Rushing Yards / Rushing Attempts. This is commonly called yards per carry (YPC). A running back with 4.5 or more yards per carry is considered effective at the NFL level.
Why is YPA more informative than total passing yards?
Total yards depend heavily on volume (number of attempts). YPA normalizes for volume and measures efficiency per throw, making it a better comparative stat across players with different workloads or playing styles.
Official sources
- NFL Official Statistics: nfl.com/stats.
- Pro Football Reference Glossary: pro-football-reference.com/about/glossary.htm.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.