Fantasy Football Scoring Breakdown: How Fantasy Football Scoring Works for Every Position
Standard scoring by position: in standard (non-PPR) scoring, points are accumulated through three main scoring events — yardage (1 point per 10 rushing or receiving yards, 1 point per 25 passing yards), touchdowns (6 points for rushing and receiving touchdowns, 4 points for passing touchdowns in most standard formats), and miscellaneous bonuses (2 points for a safety, 2 points for a two-point conversion). Kickers earn 3 points per field goal of normal range (0–39 yards), with graduated bonuses for longer kicks, and 1 point per extra point. Team defenses earn points through sacks, turnovers, and defensive/special teams touchdowns.
Scoring Breakdown Quick Reference
| Position | Key scoring events | Standard points | PPR addition |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 1 pt/25 passing yards; 4 or 6 pts/passing TD; 6 pts/rushing TD | 250 passing yards = 10 pts; 3 TDs = 12–18 pts | No direct PPR bonus; completion volume reflected in yardage |
| RB (rusher) | 1 pt/10 rushing yards; 6 pts/rushing TD | 100 rushing yards = 10 pts; 1 TD = 6 pts | No PPR bonus on rushing; PPR bonus only on receptions |
| RB (pass-catcher) | 1 pt/10 receiving yards; 6 pts/receiving TD; +PPR bonus | 5 catches for 40 yards = 4 pts (standard); 9 pts (PPR) | Receiving RBs are the biggest beneficiaries of PPR formats |
| WR | 1 pt/10 receiving yards; 6 pts/receiving TD; +PPR bonus | 7 catches for 90 yards = 9 pts (standard); 16 pts (PPR) | Slot WRs with 8–10 catches/game gain 8–10 pts in PPR |
| TE | Same as WR; TE premium adds 0.5–1 additional pt/reception in some leagues | 5 catches for 60 yards = 6 pts (standard); 11 pts (PPR) | TE premium formats significantly elevate elite TE value |
| DST | 1 pt/sack; 2 pts/INT or fumble recovery; 6 pts/defensive TD | Shutout = bonus points; 30+ points allowed = negative points | No PPR impact on DST |
PPR Scoring Impact
How PPR changes position values. In PPR (points per reception) scoring, each catch earns 1 additional point. Half-PPR awards 0.5 points per reception. This single modification reshapes the fantasy draft board because high-volume slot WRs who catch 8–10 passes per game earn 8–10 additional PPR points per game (112–140 extra points per season at full PPR), pass-catching RBs who catch 5–7 passes per game earn substantial PPR bonuses, and low-reception big-play WRs gain no PPR benefit. The PPR premium affects draft ADP significantly — slot receivers and pass-catching RBs are worth 1–3 additional draft rounds in full PPR versus standard.
Quarterback Scoring Variations
4-point vs. 6-point passing touchdowns. The most consequential QB scoring variation is whether passing touchdowns earn 4 or 6 points. Most standard leagues use 4 points; some leagues use 6 points to make QB and skill position touchdowns equal. In 6-point TD leagues, elite passing quarterbacks become significantly more valuable because their 30–35 touchdown seasons at 6 points each produce 180–210 points in just touchdowns alone — comparable to an elite RB’s entire season output. Drafting a top-3 QB earlier is correct in 6-point TD formats.
For how scoring formats connect to full draft strategy, see: Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: How to Win Your Fantasy Football Draft.