How to use this calculator
- Enter or choose field goals made (FG, incl. threes).
- Enter or choose three-pointers made (3P).
- Enter or choose field goal attempts (FGA).
- Enter or choose free throws made (FT).
- Enter or choose free throw attempts (FTA).
- The effective field goal percentage (eFG%) updates as you type. Use Copy result or Share to keep it.
Method
eFG% = (FG + 0.5 × 3P) ÷ FGA; PTS = 2 × FG + 3P + FT; TS% = PTS ÷ (2 × (FGA + 0.44 × FTA))
- FG
- all field goals made, twos and threes
- 3P
- three-pointers made
- 0.44
- the standard estimate of free-throw trips that use a possession
Worked example
- eFG% = (8 + 0.5 × 3) ÷ 15 = 9.5 ÷ 15 = 63.33%.
- Points = 2 × 8 + 3 + 4 = 23.
- TS% = 23 ÷ (2 × (15 + 0.44 × 5)) = 23 ÷ 34.4 = 66.86%.
Going 8 for 15 with three threes is a 53.3% FG%, but a 63.3% eFG%; adding 4 of 5 free throws gives a 66.9% TS%.
What the result means
eFG% is one of Dean Oliver’s “four factors” and rewards efficient three-point shooting. TS% goes further by including free throws, so it is the better single measure of scoring efficiency.
Assumptions and limits
- Formulas as defined in the Basketball-Reference glossary.
- Small samples (a single game) swing these percentages a lot.
Questions
Why does a three count as 1.5 field goals?
A made three is worth 3 points against 2 for a two, so it is worth 1.5 made twos.
Why 0.44 in true shooting?
Not every free throw uses a possession (and-ones, three-shot fouls, technicals). 0.44 is the standard estimate of possessions per free-throw attempt.