Calculate three-point percentage from made and attempted threes, or find how many makes you need in your next attempts to reach a target 3P%.
How the Three Point Percentage Calculator Works
Three-point percentage measures made three-pointers as a share of all three-point attempts. The planner combines current and future volume so a player or coach can test whether a target is attainable within a fixed attempt batch.
Formula: 3P% = 3PM / 3PA x 100. For planning, let M be current makes, A current attempts, F future attempts and T the target percentage (32 means 32%). Required future makes = max(0, ceiling((T / 100) x (A + F) – M)). If this requirement exceeds F, the target is not attainable in the batch.
Choosing the Right Inputs
Use officially recorded three-point makes and attempts from the same sample. Do not add free throws, two-point attempts or plays without a recorded field-goal attempt. Under NBA scoring rules, touching or landing inside the arc after release does not alone change a three-pointer; use the recorded classification. In planning mode, enter a positive future attempt count. A current line of 0 of 0 is allowed for planning, but has no current percentage.
| Current line | Future attempts | Target | Minimum future makes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 of 10 | 10 | 40% | 4 |
| 12 of 30 | 10 | 40% | 4 |
| 30 of 100 | 20 | 32% | 9 |
| 35 of 100 | 20 | 50% | 25 (not attainable) |
Understanding Your Results
The requested answer appears first, followed by the resulting percentage and counts. Percentage mode shows next-shot impact. Planning mode reports the minimum feasible future makes, or says the target is not attainable and shows the best rate using all future makes. A one-fewer-make comparison is shown only when the target is attainable and at least one future make is needed. Attainment is checked before rounding percentages for display.
Worked Example
A player at 30 of 100 with 20 future attempts needs nine makes to finish at 39 of 120, or 32.5%. Eight makes would leave the rate at 31.7%.
Assumptions and Limitations
3P% does not capture shot distance, defensive pressure, assisted versus self-created attempts, or the value of avoiding turnovers. Compare players only with enough attempts and similar context.
Sources
NBA Stats Glossary; NBA Rule 5: Scoring and Timing. For recorded-attempt examples, see FIBA Statisticians’ Manual, Chapter 2.
