How many yards are needed to gain a first down in the NFL?

In the NFL, an offense normally needs to gain 10 yards to earn a first down. It gets up to four downs to reach the line to gain, and successfully doing so starts a new set of four downs.

That structure is why football situations are described with phrases such as “1st and 10.” The first number identifies the current down, while the second indicates the yards remaining to reach the next first-down marker. If a team gains 4 yards on first down, the next play is “2nd and 6.”

The 10-yard rule has an important exception near the goal line. If the offense begins within 10 yards of scoring, the goal line becomes the line to gain, producing situations such as “1st and goal.” A team does not receive another first down by gaining 10 yards there; it must score or otherwise continue the drive under the applicable rules.

Teams often punt on fourth down when they are unlikely to reach the line to gain, trading possession for better field position.