How Many Quarters Are in American Football?
American football games have four quarters. In the NFL and NCAA college football, each quarter lasts 15 minutes of game time. High school football commonly uses 12-minute quarters, although local rules and competitions can differ.
How the four quarters work
The four quarters are played in this order: first quarter, second quarter, third quarter, and fourth quarter. The first and second quarters make up the first half. The third and fourth quarters make up the second half.
A halftime interval takes place after the second quarter. Teams change ends of the field at the start of the third quarter, and they also switch ends after each quarter. This prevents wind, sunlight, field conditions, or other factors from consistently favoring one team.
How long is each football quarter?
| Competition | Typical quarter length | Total regulation game time |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | 15 minutes | 60 minutes |
| College football | 15 minutes | 60 minutes |
| High school football | Usually 12 minutes | Usually 48 minutes |
These figures describe playing time, not the total time a spectator spends at the stadium or watching a broadcast. The game clock can stop for incomplete passes, plays that end out of bounds, timeouts, penalties, changes of possession, injuries, reviews, and other situations. As a result, an American football game normally lasts much longer than 60 minutes of real-world time.
Why the game clock does not run continuously
The game clock starts and stops according to the rules of the competition. For example, an incomplete forward pass stops the clock, while a completed play that ends in the field of play generally allows the clock to continue after the officials are ready for the next snap. The clock may also be adjusted or stopped for administrative reasons.
This is why the answer to “how long is an American football game?” is different from the answer to “how many minutes are in regulation?” Regulation contains four quarters and usually 60 minutes in the NFL or college football, but the complete event often takes several hours.
Does overtime add a fifth quarter?
Overtime is not normally counted as a fifth quarter. It is a separate extra-period procedure used when the score is tied after the fourth quarter. The format depends on the league or competition, and professional, college, and high school rules are not identical.
In the NFL, overtime uses a timed extra period with possession and scoring rules that differ from ordinary quarters. College football uses alternating possessions beginning at the opponents’25-yard lines, with the distance and procedures changing in later overtime rounds. High school overtime rules are set by the relevant state association or governing body.
Therefore, a game can finish after four quarters, or it can continue through overtime if the regulation score is tied. Overtime does not change the basic answer: standard American football has four regulation quarters.
American football versus other forms of football
The phrase “American football” usually refers to the sport played under United States rules, including NFL and college football. Canadian football also has four quarters, but it uses a larger field, 12 players per team, and different timing and overtime rules.
Association football, commonly called soccer in the United States, does not use quarters in its standard format. It is generally divided into two 45-minute halves. Confusing these sports is one reason a question about football periods can produce different answers.
Common questions about football quarters
Are there four quarters in an NFL game?
Yes. An NFL game has four 15-minute regulation quarters, for 60 minutes of scheduled playing time.
How many quarters are in college football?
College football has four quarters. Each quarter is normally 15 minutes long.
How many quarters are in high school football?
Most high school football games have four quarters of 12 minutes each, but the exact timing can vary under state or competition rules.
Is halftime a quarter?
No. Halftime is the interval between the second and third quarters. It is not one of the four playing periods.
Can an American football game have more than four quarters?
A regulation game has four quarters. If the score is tied, overtime may add extra playing periods, but those periods are usually treated separately rather than as additional regulation quarters.
