Yards Per Catch Calculator

Enter a receiver's total receiving yards and number of receptions to calculate their yards per catch (YPC) average. You can also add targets to see catch rate and yards per target. Perfect for evaluating NFL wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs in fantasy football or real-game analysis.

yards
catches
targets

Used to calculate catch rate and yards per target

TDs
games

Used to calculate per-game averages

Results

Yards Per Catch

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Yards Per Target

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Catch Rate

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Yards Per Game

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Receptions Per Game

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Receiving Touchdowns

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Receiving Stats Breakdown

Frequently Asked Questions

What is yards per catch?

Yards per catch (YPC) is a stat that measures the average number of yards a receiver gains on each reception. It's calculated by dividing total receiving yards by total receptions. A higher YPC indicates a receiver is gaining more ground per catch, which is often a sign of a deep threat or big-play receiver.

How do you calculate yards per catch?

The formula is simple: Yards Per Catch = Total Receiving Yards ÷ Total Receptions. For example, a receiver with 1,000 yards on 50 catches has a YPC of 20.0. This metric is one of the most widely used efficiency stats in football.

What is a good yards per catch average in the NFL?

For wide receivers, a YPC of 12–15 is considered solid, while 15+ is considered excellent and typically indicates a deep threat. Running backs often average 5–8 YPC due to their short-route usage, while tight ends typically average 8–12 YPC. Context matters — targets, route depth, and offensive scheme all affect the number.

What is the difference between yards per catch and yards per target?

Yards per catch only counts plays where the receiver actually caught the ball, while yards per target includes all targets — both catches and incompletions. Yards per target is generally considered a better measure of a receiver's true efficiency because it accounts for drops and difficult targets.

Why does yards per catch matter in fantasy football?

In fantasy football, yards per catch helps identify big-play receivers who can score large yardage totals even with fewer receptions. Receivers with a high YPC can be very valuable in PPR and standard formats when they're used in deep passing schemes. It's a useful metric alongside target share and red zone usage.

What is catch rate and how is it calculated?

Catch rate is the percentage of targets a receiver successfully catches. It's calculated as: Catch Rate = (Receptions ÷ Targets) × 100. A catch rate above 65–70% is generally considered good for a wide receiver. High catch rate receivers are reliable targets who minimize incompletions.

Can yards per catch be used to compare receivers across different positions?

Yes, but comparisons should be made within position groups for the most meaningful analysis. Wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs have very different roles in the passing game, which naturally leads to different YPC averages. Comparing a wide receiver's YPC to a running back's would be misleading without that context.

Who leads the NFL in yards per catch historically?

Deep threats and vertical receivers tend to lead in YPC. Players known for high YPC averages include DeSean Jackson, Henry Ruggs III, and various big-play wideouts. In any given season, players with 20+ YPC averages are typically being used primarily on go-routes and deep crossing patterns rather than short, high-volume routes.

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