Calculate basketball Effective Field Goal Percentage that adjusts for three-pointers being worth more than two-point shots.
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is one of the most important shooting metrics in basketball analytics. Unlike regular field goal percentage, eFG% accounts for the additional value of three-point shots by giving them 50% more credit than two-point field goals. A player who shoots 40% from three is actually contributing more per shot than one who shoots 50% on twos—and eFG% captures this.
The formula adds half of three-pointers made to the standard FG% calculation: eFG% = (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) / FGA. This simple adjustment provides a much more accurate picture of shooting efficiency. In the modern NBA, eFG% has become essential for evaluating player value, shot selection, and offensive strategy.
This calculator computes eFG% from shooting splits, compares it to league averages across eras, provides context for how different shot distributions affect efficiency, and includes True Shooting Percentage (TS%) when free throw data is available. Use the example to verify how a given shot mix translates into efficiency.
Use this calculator to translate box-score shooting splits into a possession-level efficiency read. It is most useful when comparing scorers with different three-point rates or evaluating whether a shot profile is actually productive.
eFG% = (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) / FGA × 100. Regular FG% = FGM / FGA × 100. True Shooting % (TS%) = Points / (2 × (FGA + 0.44 × FTA)) × 100. Points estimate = (FGM - 3PM) × 2 + 3PM × 3 + FTM × 1.
Result: eFG% = 52.8%, TS% = 56.8%
With 8/18 FG (including 3/8 3PT) and 4/5 FT: eFG% = (8 + 0.5×3)/18 = 52.8%. Total points = 5×2 + 3×3 + 4×1 = 23. TS% = 23/(2×(18+0.44×5)) = 56.8%.
The rise of basketball analytics fundamentally changed how we evaluate scoring. Traditional FG% suggested that a player shooting 50% is better than one shooting 40%—end of story. But eFG% reveals that a 40% three-point shooter (60% eFG on threes) is more efficient per shot than a 50% mid-range shooter. This insight drove the NBA's massive shift toward three-point shooting, with teams like the 2015-2018 Warriors building dynasties around this principle.
Modern NBA offenses optimize for two shot types: threes and rim attempts. The "mid-range death zone" (long twos inside the arc) is avoided because these shots rarely exceed 45% accuracy, giving eFG% below 45%. In contrast, restricted area shots (65-70% accuracy, eFG% = 65-70%) and corner threes (39-42% accuracy, eFG% = 58-63%) are the most efficient looks. This shapes everything from offensive schemes to player development.
When comparing players, eFG% should be considered alongside volume. A player with 55% eFG% on 20 FGA per game is more valuable than one with 60% eFG% on 5 FGA because maintaining efficiency at high volume is extremely difficult. Usage rate, shot difficulty, and whether shots are assisted or self-created all provide context that raw eFG% doesn't capture alone.
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This worksheet applies the standard basketball efficiency formula for Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) Calculator and turns it into a comparison metric. It is a stat-definition tool, not a full player evaluation.
In the NBA, league average eFG% is about 52-54%. Above 55% is good, above 58% is excellent, and above 60% is elite. For reference, the best shooters sustain 60-65% eFG%.
FG% treats all field goals equally. eFG% gives three-pointers 50% more credit because they're worth 50% more points. A player shooting 35% from three has a higher point-per-shot value than one shooting 50% on mid-range twos.
TS% is more comprehensive because it includes free throws. However, eFG% isolates shooting ability from free throw drawing. Both are useful in different contexts—eFG% for shot selection analysis, TS% for overall scoring efficiency.
Because the 0.5× bonus for threes reflects their extra point value. A player who goes 4/10 from three (40%) has an eFG% of 60% on those shots, equal to shooting 60% on twos.
NBA league eFG% has risen from ~48% in the 1990s to ~54% in the 2020s, driven by the three-point revolution and better shot selection (fewer mid-range jumpers, more threes and layups). Compare your output against the era you selected, since a 52% eFG% can mean very different things in 1998 and 2024.
Technically, yes—if a player makes nothing but threes. Going 4/4 from three gives eFG% = (4+2)/4 = 150%. In practice, sustained eFG% over 70% for a season is extremely rare.