Introduction
The effective field goal percentage (eFG%) is basketball’s smarter shooting metric. Unlike standard field goal percentage, which treats every made basket equally, eFG% accounts for the extra value of three-pointers. A player who shoots 5-for-10 from three-point range is far more valuable than someone who shoots 5-for-10 from mid-range, and eFG% captures that difference.
This free eFG calculator is designed for basketball players, coaches, analysts, and fantasy sports enthusiasts who want true shooting efficiency metrics. Simply enter field goals made, three-pointers made, and field goals attempted to get instant results. The formula weights each three-pointer as 1.5 times a regular field goal, reflecting its real-game value. Whether you’re evaluating player performance, scouting opponents, or tracking team progress, accurate eFG% calculations provide the clarity standard percentages cannot offer. Powered by Toolraxy, this tool delivers reliable, instant basketball analytics without complex spreadsheets.
How to Use
Enter Field Goals Made (FGM) – Input the total number of successful field goals from any distance
Enter Three-Pointers Made (3PM) – Input how many of those field goals were three-point shots
Enter Field Goals Attempted (FGA) – Input total shot attempts (must be at least 1)
Click Calculate – Press the red Calculate button or wait for automatic update
Review your results – View eFG%, standard FG%, and shooting efficiency rating
Copy or share – Use the Copy button for clipboard results or Share for social/text
How the Tool Works
The eFG calculator uses a single, standardized formula recognized by professional basketball analytics organizations including the NBA.
Formula:
eFG% = (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) ÷ FGA × 100
Mathematical structure:
FGM = Total field goals made (all distances)
3PM = Three-pointers made (subset of FGM)
FGA = Total field goal attempts
0.5 = Weighting coefficient that gives three-pointers 1.5× value of two-pointers
Why the 0.5 coefficient? A three-pointer is worth 1.5× a two-pointer. When you add 0.5 × 3PM to FGM, you’re effectively counting each three-pointer as 1.5 field goals made. Dividing by total attempts then creates a percentage that properly weights shot value.
Validation behavior:
If FGA is 0 or negative → tool shows error message and blanks all results
Negative inputs are treated as 0
Empty fields default to 0
All inputs round to whole numbers (no partial shots)
Edge cases:
Zero attempts → calculation stops, prompts for valid FGA
Zero made shots → eFG% = 0%
All attempts are three-pointers → formula still works correctly
Maximum values limited only by browser number handling
Shooting efficiency rating scale (mapped from eFG%):
Worked Example
Scenario: Evaluating a shooting guard’s season performance
Let’s calculate effective field goal percentage for a player with the following stats:
Field Goals Made (FGM): 200
Three-Pointers Made (3PM): 80
Field Goals Attempted (FGA): 450
Step 1: Multiply three-pointers made by 0.5
80 × 0.5 = 40
Step 2: Add to field goals made
200 + 40 = 240 (this is the adjusted made field goals)
Step 3: Divide by field goals attempted
240 ÷ 450 = 0.5333
Step 4: Multiply by 100 for percentage
0.5333 × 100 = 53.33%
Result: eFG% = 53.3%
What this means: The player’s effective field goal percentage is 53.3%, which falls into the “Great – Above Average” category. Their standard FG% would be 44.4% (200 ÷ 450), but because 80 of their makes are three-pointers (worth 50% more), their true shooting efficiency is nearly 9 percentage points higher. This player is more valuable than their raw field goal percentage suggests.
Practical takeaway: When evaluating shooters who take many three-pointers, always use eFG% instead of standard FG%. A 44% shooter from the field who takes 80% of shots from three is often more efficient than a 48% shooter who only takes two-pointers.
Real-World Example: Comparing Two NBA Shooters
Consider two players from the 2022-23 NBA season. Player A averages 22 points on 9-for-20 shooting including 2 three-pointers made per game. Player B averages 24 points on 8-for-18 shooting including 5 three-pointers made. Standard FG% favors Player A (45% vs. 44.4%). But eFG% calculation flips the ranking: Player A: (9 + 0.5×2) ÷ 20 = (9+1)÷20 = 10÷20 = 50%. Player B: (8 + 0.5×5) ÷ 18 = (8+2.5)÷18 = 10.5÷18 = 58.3%. Player B is dramatically more efficient despite identical looks on paper. This is why NBA front offices abandoned standard FG% years ago. Use this eFG calculator to avoid making the same mistake in your player evaluations.
How Team Offense Design Affects eFG%
Modern basketball offenses prioritize “pace and space” because it maximizes eFG% for all five players. Spreading shooters across the three-point line forces defenders away from the paint, creating higher-percentage shots at the rim and open three-pointers. Teams that take over 40% of their shots from three-point range often achieve league-leading eFG% even with modest overall field goal percentages. Conversely, teams relying on mid-range isolation scoring typically post lower eFG% despite potentially higher traditional FG%. When evaluating player fit, consider the offensive system—a 50% eFG% shooter in a bad system might become a 55% shooter in a optimized system.
What’s the Difference Between eFG% and Points Per Shot?
Points per shot (PPS) is a simpler metric: total points divided by field goal attempts. eFG% converts to PPS by multiplying by 2 (since eFG% represents points per shot attempt multiplied by 2). For example, 55% eFG% equals 1.10 points per shot attempt (0.55 × 2). The difference is semantic: eFG% expresses efficiency as a percentage that looks familiar to basketball people, while PPS expresses efficiency as points. Neither includes free throws. For complete scoring efficiency including free throws, use true shooting percentage. This eFG calculator provides the most common basketball analytics format, making it easier to compare with published NBA/NCAA statistics.
Benefits of Using This Tool
Saves time – Instant calculations eliminate manual arithmetic and spreadsheet lookups
Reduces manual errors – Automated validation prevents formula mistakes common in hand calculations
Instant results – Real-time updates as you type, no submit button required (though Calculate is available)
Free forever – No subscription, no payment, no hidden costs
Private – All calculations happen in your browser; no data sent to any server
Accessible on any device – Responsive design works on phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops
Professional rating scale – Built-in efficiency categories help interpret results without external references
Copy and share features – One-click clipboard sharing for reports, messages, or social media
FAQ Section
How accurate is this eFG calculator?
It’s mathematically exact. The tool performs the standard (FGM + 0.5×3PM) ÷ FGA × 100 calculation with no rounding until the final display. Results match NBA, NCAA, and all professional analytics platforms exactly.
Can I calculate eFG% manually without this tool?
Yes. Use the formula: (Field Goals Made + 0.5 × Three-Pointers Made) ÷ Field Goals Attempted × 100. The tool simply automates these four steps and prevents arithmetic mistakes.
What causes eFG% to change between games?
Shot selection (three-point vs. two-point attempts), shooting accuracy, defensive quality faced, player fatigue, and game pace all affect game-to-game eFG% volatility. Season averages smooth these variations.
Is this tool safe to use for fantasy basketball analysis?
Absolutely. All calculations run locally in your browser. No personal data, team names, or player statistics are ever transmitted or stored. You can analyze proprietary scouting data with complete privacy.
What is the difference between eFG% and standard FG%?
Standard FG% treats all field goals equally. eFG% gives three-pointers 50% additional weight, reflecting that they’re worth 1.5× a two-pointer. A player who makes 5-of-10 three-pointers has 50% standard FG% but 75% eFG%, correctly showing they scored 15 points on 10 shots.
What is the difference between eFG% and True Shooting Percentage (TS%)?
eFG% excludes free throws. TS% includes free throw attempts and makes, giving complete scoring efficiency. Use eFG% for shot-focused analysis; use TS% for total scoring efficiency including foul-drawing ability.
How do I interpret the “Shooting Efficiency” rating?
The rating compares your eFG% to NBA benchmarks. “Exceptional” (60%+) means All-NBA caliber efficiency. “Excellent” (55-59.9%) is All-Star level. “Great” (50-54.9%) is above-average starter. “Good” (45-49.9%) is solid rotation player. “Average” (40-44.9%) is replacement level. “Below Average” (under 40%) needs improvement or role adjustment.
Why does the calculator show an error with FGA = 0?
Division by zero is mathematically impossible. The tool requires at least one field goal attempt to calculate a meaningful percentage. Enter a valid FGA value (minimum 1) to see results.
Does this tool work for college or high school basketball?
Yes, the formula is universal. However, interpret ratings differently—college average eFG% is typically 4-6 percentage points lower than NBA, and high school averages another 3-5 points lower. The rating scale shown assumes professional basketball context.
Can I use this for a single game or full season?
Either works perfectly. For single games, enter that game’s stats. For season totals, aggregate all games first. The formula scales linearly, so results are identical whether you calculate per-game averages or season totals.
What’s considered a “good” eFG% for a three-point specialist?
Three-point specialists should target 58%+ eFG%, which typically requires shooting 40%+ from three on high volume while avoiding two-point attempts. For example, 4-for-10 from three (40%) with no twos yields 60% eFG%—excellent for a specialist role.
Does this tool account for and-one opportunities or fouls on made shots?
No. eFG% intentionally excludes free throws and foul situations. Those are captured by True Shooting Percentage. For pure shooting efficiency without foul drawing, eFG% is the correct metric.
