Calculate effective field goal percentage (eFG%) from makes, threes, and attempts, then rate it or find the makes needed to hit a target eFG%.
Effective Field Goal Percentage Formula
eFG% = ((FGM + 0.5 * 3PM) / FGA) * 100
- eFG% is the effective field goal percentage
- FGM is the total number of field goals made, twos and threes combined (free throws excluded)
- 3PM is the number of three-point field goals made
- FGA is the total number of field goal attempts, twos and threes combined (free throws excluded)
The 0.5 multiplier gives each made three an extra half make of credit. A three is worth 3 points against 2 for a regular basket, which is 1.5 times the value, so counting it as 1.5 makes keeps the percentage in line with the points the shot actually produced.
The calculator uses this formula in its default mode. You can enter your stats as box score totals (FGM, 3PM, FGA) or as separate 2-point and 3-point splits; the splits option also returns your 2-point and 3-point percentages, the lift threes add over plain FG%, and total points from field goals. The second mode inverts the same formula to tell you how many makes you need to reach a target eFG%:
FGM needed = (Target eFG% / 100) * FGA - 0.5 * 3PM
Enter the target percentage, your planned attempts, and the threes you expect to make, and the result is the minimum number of total makes required, rounded up to a whole shot.
eFG% Benchmarks and Break-Even Shooting Splits
Use the first table to judge a result. Averages differ a lot by level of play, so a mark that is elite in a high school game is only ordinary in the NBA, where the league as a whole has shot an effective 54 to 55 percent in recent seasons.
| Level of play | Below average | About average | Good | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA (recent seasons) | Under 52% | 53% to 55% | 56% to 59% | 60% and up |
| Men’s college (D1) | Under 49% | 49% to 52% | 53% to 57% | 58% and up |
| High school varsity | Under 44% | 44% to 50% | 50% to 55% | 55% and up |
The second table shows the break-even point between two-point and three-point shooting. Because a made three counts as 1.5 makes, a three-point percentage equal to two thirds of a two-point percentage produces the exact same eFG%. This is the quickest way to settle whether a shooter helps the team more from inside or behind the arc.
| 2-point FG% | Break-even 3-point FG% | eFG% both produce |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | 33.3% | 50% |
| 55% | 36.7% | 55% |
| 60% | 40.0% | 60% |
| 65% | 43.3% | 65% |
| 70% | 46.7% | 70% |
Example Problems
Example 1: eFG% from a box score line. A player finishes a game 9 of 20 from the field with 4 made threes. Apply the formula: eFG% = ((9 + 0.5 * 4) / 20) * 100 = (11 / 20) * 100 = 55%. The plain field goal percentage is only 45%, so the threes lift the effective mark by 10 points. Against the NBA benchmark table above, 55% sits right at the league average.
Example 2: makes needed for a target eFG%. A college player wants a 55% eFG over a 400-attempt season and expects to hit 60 threes. FGM needed = (55 / 100) * 400 – 0.5 * 60 = 220 – 30 = 190 total makes. That is 130 two-pointers on top of the 60 threes, a plain FG% of 47.5%, which checks out: ((190 + 30) / 400) * 100 = 55%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good effective field goal percentage?
It depends on the level and on shot selection. In the NBA anything above about 56% is above average and 60% or more is elite; in men’s D1 college the average sits near 50 to 51%, and typical high school varsity marks run in the mid 40s. Position matters as well: a center scoring at the rim should post a much higher eFG% than a guard who lives behind the arc, so compare players with a similar shot diet whenever you can.
Can effective field goal percentage go above 100%?
Yes. Because every made three counts as 1.5 makes, a player who goes a perfect 4 for 4 from three posts an eFG% of 150%, which is the maximum possible value. Any player whose weighted makes exceed attempts will show a number over 100%. This is normal for small samples, like a single quarter, and it is why season-long figures are more meaningful than one hot game.
How is eFG% different from true shooting percentage?
eFG% only looks at field goals, weighting threes at 1.5. True shooting percentage (TS%) also folds in free throws, using the formula TS% = Points / (2 * (FGA + 0.44 * FTA)). Use eFG% to judge pure shooting from the floor and TS% to judge overall scoring efficiency including trips to the line. A player who draws many fouls will usually have a TS% several points higher than their eFG%.
