Here, we break down the answer new fans often ask: how long does an NFL game really run from start to finish?

How long does an NFL game last?

An NFL game has a playing time of 60 minutes, divided into four 15-minute quarters.

However, the actual duration, including stoppages, timeouts, and breaks, often runs to a little over three hours.

And, if both teams are tied after 60 minutes in the regular season, the game goes to overtime.

What is overtime?

If the games are tied after 60 minutes, teams then have an extra 10-minute period of play to settle their differences. If the scores remain even at the end of overtime, the game is declared a tie.

However, there are different rules for postseason games. For a more in-depth breakdown of overtime and specific rules for this particular period of the game, click here. 

The overtime period once lasted 15 minutes, but was shortened to 10 minutes in 2017.

Is there a halftime, and how long does it last?

There is a halftime during an NFL game, lasting 12 minutes, scheduled for the end of the second quarter.

During major events such as the Super Bowl, the break lasts longer to accommodate the halftime show.

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