What is pass accuracy?

Pass accuracy explains how often a player or team completes their passes, and why the percentage can mean different things depending on role and style.

It sounds simple. A player attempts a pass and it either reaches a teammate or it doesn’t. But in the Premier League, keeping the ball moving cleanly is one of the hardest things to do well.

Pass accuracy highlights the players who stay calm when the match starts to get scrappy. It’s a great way to measure who's keeping possession and attacks alive, and the ones who are just gifting the ball straight back to the opposing team. 

Here’s what it means. 

What is pass accuracy in football?

Pass accuracy is the percentage of passes a player completes. That’s it. If a player attempts 100 passes and 90 reach their intended target, their pass accuracy is 90%.

It sounds straightforward because it is. 

The value comes from what it tells you about how a player uses the ball. High accuracy can show calmness, control and smart decision-making. Low accuracy can show risk-taking…or just a very bad day at the office.

What is the world record for most passes in a minute?

Yep, there’s actually a real Guinness World Record for this, because of course there is. The record for the most football passes in one minute is 252. It’s basically rapid-fire one-touch training. 

Fun, yes. Useful in an actual Premier League match? Not really. But it shows how fast you need to be moving and thinking for passing to look effortless.

What are the four qualities of a good pass?

Coaches will phrase these differently, but the fundamentals are the same:

• Accuracy – Go where your teammate actually is, not where you hope they might be.

• Weight – Too soft and it gets intercepted; too hard and it’s going to smash into your teammate.

• Timing – Release it early, release it late, but release it on purpose.

• Decision-making – Sometimes the best pass is the simple one that keeps the rhythm moving.

Even the most gifted passers aren’t trying to overcomplicate it. They’re just choosing the right option quickly and delivering it cleanly.

Who has the best pass accuracy in football?

The highest pass accuracy numbers usually come from defenders or midfielders who play in structured teams. The best players know how to recycle the ball and keep possession moving. Players like Rodri, Thiago Silva, Lewis Dunk or Virgil van Dijk often feature near the top because their passing is tidy and consistent. 

But the players who look the best on the ball aren’t always at the top of the table.  Creative midfielders and full-backs take more risks, push the game forward, and attempt passes that actually change situations. Their accuracy might dip, but their impact rises.

That’s why pass accuracy is useful but not the whole picture. A player completing 93% of five-yard passes isn’t doing the same job as someone threading balls between lines at 82%.

How Premier League clubs use pass accuracy

Clubs match accuracy with volume, direction, pressure, zones, progressive passes, switches and combination patterns. The number itself doesn’t decide anything, but it supports the bigger picture.

If a midfielder’s accuracy suddenly drops, it could mean fatigue. If a defender keeps hitting 98% accuracy without progressing play, coaches will spot it. Pass accuracy becomes powerful when you really understand what sits behind it.

Follow the Pass Masters with Match Bingo

The Pass Masters leaderboard tracks the players who keep the whole game moving.

Match Bingo updates key stats like accuracy, key passes, crosses, long-balls, and more as the match unfolds. You can follow who’s seeing the ball most, who’s dictating play, and who’s stitching everything together. 

As passes build your card fills up and you boost your chances to win. 

All the Premier League fixtures are live in the app. Download now and keep up with every pass that matters.