Understanding Effective Field Goal Percentage
Traditional field goal percentage treats all successful shots equally, which masks a critical reality: three-point attempts are significantly more difficult than two-point attempts. eFG% solves this by assigning proportional value to each shot type.
- Two-point field goals count as full value in the calculation.
- Three-point field goals receive a 1.5 multiplier, reflecting their increased difficulty.
- Total field goal attempts remain the denominator, normalizing the result as a percentage.
A player shooting 10 for 20 from two-point range (50%) appears identical in raw FG% to a player shooting 10 for 20 from three-point range. eFG% reveals the latter's superior efficiency—their three-pointers contribute more total value per shot attempt. This metric has become standard in modern basketball analysis, from the NBA to college scouts.
The eFG% Formula
The effective field goal percentage combines your successful shots—weighted by type—against total attempts:
eFG% = (FG + 0.5 × 3P) ÷ FGA
Total Points = (2 × 2P) + (3 × 3P)
2P% = 2P ÷ 2PA
3P% = 3P ÷ 3PA
FG— Total field goals made (two-pointers plus three-pointers)3P— Three-point field goals madeFGA— Total field goal attempts (all shot attempts from the field)2P— Two-point field goals made2PA— Two-point field goal attempts3PA— Three-point field goal attempts
How to Use the eFG Calculator
Input your shooting data into the calculator's three sections:
- Field goals made: Enter the number of two-pointers and three-pointers you or your team successfully scored.
- Field goal attempts: Enter the total attempts for each shot type.
The calculator immediately computes your eFG%, along with supporting metrics:
- Total FG made and attempted
- Two-point and three-point shooting percentages
- Total points scored
- Your adjusted efficiency rating
For season-long analysis, simply aggregate your cumulative makes and attempts across all games, then input the totals.
eFG% Context and Benchmarks
Performance standards depend heavily on player position and offensive role:
- Paint scorers and centers: 50% eFG% or higher indicates elite efficiency. These players take primarily close-range two-pointers.
- Wing players and guards: 45% eFG% is solid; 48%+ is excellent. These roles involve more varied shot selection.
- Three-point specialists: 40% eFG% remains respectable given the difficulty of deep shots. A 40% three-point shooter (whose eFG% approximates 60%) ranks among the most efficient volume scorers.
For team context, the 2021–22 NBA's top eFG% performers included Utah Jazz (56.4%), Golden State Warriors (55.4%), and Charlotte Hornets (54.2%). League average typically hovers around 52–53%.
Key Considerations for eFG% Analysis
When interpreting eFG% figures, keep these practical points in mind:
- Shot selection drives eFG%, not just accuracy — A player with 45% raw FG% on 60% three-pointers may post a higher eFG% than a 50% two-point shooter. Three-point volume magnifies efficiency gains—but also increases variance and defensive attention.
- Volume matters more than you'd expect — A backup who shoots 70% on five attempts per game has meaningless eFG% data. Minimum attempts (typically 10–12 per game for meaningful evaluation) stabilize the statistic and reduce noise from small samples.
- eFG% doesn't account for defense or pace — Two players with identical eFG% may have vastly different shooting difficulty. One might face tight defense; the other takes open looks. Pair eFG% with usage rate and shot distance for complete context.
- Three-point volume has shifted benchmarks upward — Over the past decade, increased perimeter shot attempts mean team and player eFG% figures have risen league-wide. Historical comparisons require normalizing for era and shot-mix trends.