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Basketball Shooting Percentage Calculator

Calculate field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free throw percentage for basketball players based on shots made and attempted.

Reviewed by Christopher FloiedPublished Updated

This free online basketball shooting percentage calculator provides instant results with no signup required. All calculations run directly in your browser — your data is never sent to a server. Enter your values below and see results update in real time as you type. Perfect for everyday calculations, homework, or professional use.

Results

Shooting Percentage

5333.3%

How to Use This Calculator

1

Enter your input values

Fill in all required input fields for the Basketball Shooting Percentage Calculator. Most fields include unit selectors so you can work in your preferred unit system — metric or imperial, whichever matches your problem.

2

Review your inputs

Double-check that all values are correct and that you have selected the right units for each field. Incorrect units are the most common source of calculation errors and can produce results that are off by factors of 2, 10, or more.

3

Read the results

The Basketball Shooting Percentage Calculator instantly computes the output and displays results with units clearly labeled. All calculations happen in your browser — no loading time and no data sent to a server.

4

Explore parameter sensitivity

Try adjusting individual input values to see how the output changes. This is a quick and effective way to develop intuition about how different parameters influence the result and to identify which inputs have the largest effect.

When to Use This Calculator

  • •Use the Basketball Shooting Percentage Calculator when you need accurate results quickly without the risk of manual computation errors or unit conversion mistakes.
  • •Use it to verify calculations made by hand or in spreadsheets — an independent check can catch errors before they lead to costly decisions.
  • •Use it to explore how changing input parameters affects the output — a quick way to develop intuition and identify the most influential variables.
  • •Use it when collaborating with others to ensure everyone is working from the same numbers and applying the same assumptions.

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About Basketball Shooting Percentage Calculator

The Basketball Shooting Percentage Calculator is essential for analyzing basketball performance at every level — from youth leagues to the NBA. Shooting percentage measures efficiency: of all the shots a player attempts, what fraction actually go in? This single metric is one of the most important indicators of offensive skill and is used by coaches, scouts, analysts, and fans to evaluate players. Whether you're tracking your own progress, analyzing your team's performance, comparing players, or studying NBA stars, knowing how to calculate and interpret shooting percentages is fundamental to understanding the game. The same formula applies to all shot types: field goals, three-pointers, and free throws.

The Math Behind It

Shooting percentage is the most basic measure of shooting efficiency in basketball. It tells you the rate at which a player's shots actually go in. **The Formula**: Shooting % = (Shots Made / Shots Attempted) × 100 **Types of Shooting Percentages**: 1. **Field Goal Percentage (FG%)**: All shots from the field (both 2s and 3s) 2. **Three-Point Percentage (3P%)**: Only three-point attempts 3. **Two-Point Percentage (2P%)**: Only two-point attempts (closer shots) 4. **Free Throw Percentage (FT%)**: Free throws only 5. **Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%)**: Adjusts for the extra value of 3-pointers **eFG% Formula**: eFG% = (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) / FGA This is more accurate because a 3-pointer is worth 50% more than a 2-pointer, so making 30% of 3s is roughly as valuable as making 45% of 2s. **True Shooting Percentage (TS%)**: The most comprehensive measure, accounting for free throws too: TS% = Points / (2 × (FGA + 0.44 × FTA)) **NBA Benchmarks (2023-24 Season Averages)**: | Stat | League Average | Elite | |------|----------------|-------| | FG% | 47% | 55%+ | | 3P% | 36% | 42%+ | | FT% | 78% | 90%+ | | eFG% | 54% | 60%+ | | TS% | 58% | 65%+ | **Position-Based Norms**: - **Centers**: 55-65% FG% (mostly close shots) - **Power Forwards**: 50-55% FG% - **Small Forwards**: 45-50% FG% - **Shooting Guards**: 42-46% FG% - **Point Guards**: 40-45% FG% Guards have lower FG% because they shoot more difficult shots from further out. **Sample Size Matters**: With only 10 attempts, normal variation can produce extreme percentages. A player's 'true' shooting percentage requires at least 100-200 attempts to estimate reliably. Don't judge a player by 1 game! **Improving Shooting Percentage**: 1. **Shot selection**: Take open shots, avoid contested ones 2. **Practice**: Form, repetition, muscle memory 3. **Conditioning**: Tired legs reduce accuracy 4. **Catch-and-shoot vs off-the-dribble**: Catch-and-shoot is typically 10-15% higher 5. **Shot location**: Closer = higher %, but lower point value **Why the Mid-Range Shot Died**: Modern analytics showed mid-range shots (16-22 feet, 2 points) have nearly the same FG% as 3-point shots (39-43%). Since 3-pointers are worth 50% more, the math favors taking 3s instead. The best teams now have <5% mid-range attempts vs. 20-30% in the early 2000s. **Free Throws**: Free throws should have the highest percentage because there's no defense. Elite shooters reach 90%+, average is 75-80%, poor is below 65%. Centers tend to be worst free throw shooters (e.g., Shaquille O'Neal 52.7%, Andre Drummond 38.3% career).

Formula Reference

Shooting %

% = (Made / Attempted) × 100

Variables: Made = successful shots, Attempted = total attempts

Worked Examples

Example 1: High-Scoring Game

Player attempts 18 field goals and makes 11. What's their FG%?

Step 1:Made: 11
Step 2:Attempted: 18
Step 3:FG% = (11 / 18) × 100
Step 4:FG% = 0.611 × 100
Step 5:FG% = 61.1%

61.1% FG — excellent efficiency. This is significantly above the NBA average of 47% and would be considered an elite shooting performance.

Example 2: Three-Point Specialist

A shooter takes 9 three-pointers and makes 4. What's their 3P% for the night?

Step 1:Made: 4
Step 2:Attempted: 9
Step 3:3P% = (4 / 9) × 100
Step 4:3P% ≈ 44.4%

44.4% from three is excellent. The NBA average is about 36%, so this game would be well above average.

Common Mistakes & Tips

  • !Comparing FG% across positions without context. Centers naturally have higher FG% because they shoot closer.
  • !Ignoring shot difficulty. Two players might have the same FG% but face very different defenses.
  • !Using small sample sizes. A 1-game performance doesn't reveal a player's true shooting ability.
  • !Forgetting eFG% gives a more accurate picture for players who shoot many threes.

Related Concepts

Batting Average

Same percentage concept in baseball.

Winning Percentage

Calculate team success rate.

Passer Rating

Football's complex efficiency stat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a good FG% in basketball?

Depends on position and league. NBA averages: Centers 55-65%, Forwards 47-52%, Guards 42-46%. League average is around 47%. Above 50% is good for any position; above 55% is excellent. Three-point shooters value over 38%. Free throw shooters should be over 75% (over 90% is elite).

Why is effective field goal percentage (eFG%) important?

eFG% adjusts for the fact that 3-pointers are worth 50% more than 2-pointers. A player making 35% of 3-pointers actually produces more points per shot than someone making 50% of 2-pointers (eFG% of 52.5% vs 50%). This metric better reflects offensive value and is now standard in NBA analytics.

Why do centers have the highest FG% but worst FT%?

Centers take most shots near the basket (dunks, layups, hooks) which have very high success rates. Free throws use a different motion that requires touch and consistency from 15 feet — many big men never developed this skill. Shaq's 52.7% career FT% is famous, and the 'Hack-a-Shaq' strategy was built around exploiting this weakness.

How does shot location affect percentage?

Hugely. NBA shot zones from 2023 average percentages: At rim (within 4 feet) 65%, Short mid-range (4-10 ft) 42%, Long mid-range (10-22 ft) 41%, Three-pointer 36%. The closer the shot, the higher the success rate. This is why teams emphasize getting to the rim and shooting threes, avoiding mid-range.

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