How Long Is a Football Game? How Many Minutes are in an NFL Game?

Lance Fernandez discusses the length of a football game in terms of game clock and actual time. Why does an NFL game take longer to finish than its specified duration?

Football games can offer much excitement, especially when the result hangs in the balance. Every snap matters as competitors hope to complete the game-winning drive.

However, whether you are watching at the stadium or at home, a football game can take a significant portion of your day. The wait is worth it, though, if your favorite team wins.

This article will discuss a football game’s duration based on the game clock and actual time. It also reveals what causes the game clock to stop and what happens in a tied game after regulation.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings
• 2025 NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
• Best ball fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings

How Long Is A Football Game In Terms Of Game Clock?

A typical NFL or college football game has 60 minutes of playtime, divided into four 15-minute quarters. However, this doesn’t mean the game will start and end in an hour because of scheduled breaks, stoppages, and advertisements.

The general rule is that the game and the play clock (40 seconds per down) will continue to run as long as the team on offense advances the ball. Conversely, it stops when the offense fails to convert a passing attempt or if a team calls a timeout.

NFL teams factor in stoppages for better clock management. When facing a high-powered offense, they’ll choose a run-heavy offense to milk the clock. Likewise, quarterbacks take a kneel to ice the victory if their four downs can cover the clock.

If the game is tied after four quarters, the teams will compete in an overtime period that could last up to 10 minutes. However, the game ends in favor of the first team which scores a touchdown. If both teams convert a field goal or don’t score on their first drive, it becomes sudden death, and the first team that scores secures the victory.

How Long Is A Football Game In Actual Time?

A football game can last over three hours in real-time. In addition to the game, there are two-minute breaks after the first and third quarters and a halftime intermission which lasts 12 minutes in a regular-season game.

However, there are longer halftime breaks in the playoffs, especially in the Super Bowl, when it could last up to 30 minutes. Commercials also occur between breaks, stretching the game further, usually up to an hour of extra time.