Yards per Carry Calculator
Calculate a running back's yards per carry.
Results update as you type.
How it works
Yards per carry (YPC) measures how efficiently a running back gains ground, and this calculator computes it. You enter the total rushing yards and the number of carries, and it returns the yards per carry average. The calculation divides yards by carries, giving the average gain on each rushing attempt. YPC is a key efficiency stat because it reveals productivity per touch rather than just total yards — a back with 100 yards on 20 carries (5.0 YPC) is more efficient than one with 100 yards on 30 carries (3.3 YPC), even though their yardage is equal. In the NFL, roughly 4.0 yards per carry is average, 4.5 or higher is very good, and above 5.0 over a season is excellent, while under 3.5 is below average. A few big breakaway runs can inflate the average, so analysts also consider consistency and metrics like success rate. YPC depends heavily on the offensive line, scheme, and game situation, not just the runner, so it reflects the whole rushing attack to a degree. It applies at any level — youth, high school, college, or pro — and can be figured for a single game, season, or career. Enter the rushing yards and carries to calculate yards per carry.
Yards per carry = rushing yards ÷ carries
Yards per carry is total rushing yards divided by the number of carries (rushing attempts). It measures a running back's average gain per rush, showing efficiency rather than just volume, so a high figure means the back gains a lot on each attempt.
Source:Football statistics
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter rushing yards and carries.
- 2
Adjust the options
Fine-tune any options to match your situation.
- 3
Read your result
Yards per carry updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate yards per carry?
Divide total rushing yards by the number of carries. A running back with 100 yards on 20 carries averages 5.0 yards per carry. It measures rushing efficiency — the average gain per attempt — rather than total volume, so it shows how productive a back is each time they touch the ball.
What is a good yards per carry?
In the NFL, about 4.0 yards per carry is average, 4.5 or higher is very good, and sustaining above 5.0 over a season is excellent, while under 3.5 is below average. Standards differ by level of play. Because a few long runs can skew the average, consistency matters too, not just the raw YPC figure.
Why is yards per carry an efficiency stat?
Total rushing yards reward volume — more carries produce more yards even at a low average. Yards per carry normalizes for the number of attempts, showing how much a back gains each time. This reveals efficiency: two backs with the same total yards can have very different YPC, and the one with the higher average is more productive per touch.
Can a few big runs skew yards per carry?
Yes. One or two long breakaway runs can significantly raise a back's YPC, making it look more consistent than it is. A player might average 5.0 yards per carry but gain little on most attempts if a single 50-yard run inflates the total. That is why analysts also examine consistency measures like rushing success rate alongside YPC.
Does yards per carry depend only on the running back?
No. YPC reflects the offensive line's blocking, the play scheme, the quality of the defense, and game situations, not just the runner's skill. A great line can boost a back's average, while poor blocking can suppress it. So YPC gauges the overall rushing attack to a degree, though it remains a useful indicator of a back's efficiency.