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True Shooting Percentage Calculator

True shooting percentage (TS%) is basketball's most comprehensive shooting efficiency metric, accounting for two-pointers, three-pointers, and free throws in a single figure. Unlike simpler metrics, TS% reflects actual scoring value relative to total shooting opportunities. Coaches, analysts, and serious fans use it to compare players across different eras and playing styles.

Last updated:

Creators Wojciech Sas, PhD
Reviewers Filip Derma and Bogna Szyk
3,280 people find this calculator helpful

Understanding True Shooting Percentage

True shooting percentage measures how efficiently a player converts shooting opportunities into points. Developed by advanced basketball analytics, TS% differs fundamentally from standard field goal percentage because it normalizes for the different point values of shots and includes free throw attempts in the equation.

The metric becomes essential when evaluating players with different shooting patterns. A high-volume three-point shooter and a paint-focused player may have identical field goal percentages, yet vastly different true shooting percentages reflecting their actual scoring efficiency. This makes TS% invaluable for roster construction, player trades, and performance contracts.

  • Incorporates all shot types: Two-pointers, three-pointers, and free throws
  • Weighted by point value: Accounts for the mathematical advantage of shooting from distance
  • Adjusts for free throw volume: Penalizes players who shoot many free throws less efficiently than field goals
  • Comparable across eras: Works for vintage NBA players and modern athletes using the same standard

True Shooting Percentage Formula

True shooting percentage uses a two-step calculation. First, determine total shooting attempts (TSA) by combining field goal attempts with a weighted free throw component. Then divide total points by twice the TSA value.

TSA = FGA + (0.44 Γ— FTA)

TS% = Points Γ· (2 Γ— TSA)

  • Points β€” Total points scored by the player
  • FGA β€” Field goal attempts (both two-pointers and three-pointers combined)
  • FTA β€” Free throw attempts
  • TSA β€” True shooting attempts (intermediate calculation)

How to Calculate True Shooting Percentage

Working through a real example clarifies the calculation. Suppose a player scored 1,295 points on 850 field goal attempts and 420 free throw attempts:

Step 1: Calculate TSA

TSA = 850 + (0.44 Γ— 420) = 850 + 184.8 = 1,034.8

Step 2: Calculate TS%

TS% = 1,295 Γ· (2 Γ— 1,034.8) = 1,295 Γ· 2,069.6 = 0.6257 = 62.57%

A TS% of 62.57% ranks among elite NBA scorers. For context, league average typically sits between 53–55%, while superstar guards and bigs often exceed 60%. The 0.44 multiplier on free throws reflects that free throw attempts represent less efficient shooting opportunities than field goals from the floor.

Common Pitfalls When Analyzing TS%

Understanding TS% limitations helps avoid misinterpreting shooting efficiency.

  1. Volume and usage matter β€” A role player with 65% TS% on 3 shots per game is not equivalent to a star averaging 60% TS% on 20 shots. TS% doesn't account for shot difficulty, defensive pressure, or the context of creating opportunities for teammates. Always cross-reference with usage rate.
  2. Free throw dependency skews comparisons β€” Players who draw fouls frequently but shoot free throws poorly may still achieve decent TS% through volume. The 0.44 weighting penalizes foul-drawing scorers only partially. Compare free throw percentage separately when assessing complete scoring skill.
  3. Position and era differences persist β€” Centers historically shoot higher TS% because they take more close-range shots and offensive rebounds. Comparing a modern three-point specialist to a 1990s power forward using TS% alone ignores positional and era-specific shot selection. Segment your analysis by position and decade.
  4. Injuries and mid-season changes affect trends β€” A player's TS% can fluctuate dramatically if injury limits shot selection or role. Look at rolling averages over 10–20 games rather than season-long figures to spot efficiency changes reflecting form, fatigue, or tactical adjustments.

TS% Benchmarks for Professional Basketball

The NBA's elite scorers cluster between 58–64% true shooting percentage. Historical leaders like Artis Gilmore (64.33%) and DeAndre Jordan (63.67%) set the gold standard, though both played in eras with different three-point volume.

  • 60%+ TS%: Superstar territory; typically top 15–20 players league-wide
  • 55–60% TS%: Above-average starting-caliber players
  • 53–55% TS%: League average range for all positions
  • Below 50% TS%: Below-average efficiency; unsustainable long-term

Role players and bench scorers often fall between 48–54%, while bench units averaging below 50% TS% rarely contribute to winning basketball. Teams winning championships typically field rosters where their top six scorers average 55%+ TS%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between true shooting percentage and field goal percentage?

Field goal percentage only counts made shots divided by all field goal attempts, ignoring free throws entirely and treating two-pointers and three-pointers equally. True shooting percentage incorporates free throws, weights three-pointers at 1.5 times their value relative to two-pointers, and adjusts for shot difficulty. A player shooting 50% FG but taking many contested threes might have a lower TS% than someone shooting 45% FG while drawing fouls. TS% provides a more complete efficiency picture.

Why is the 0.44 multiplier used for free throw attempts in TS%?

The 0.44 coefficient empirically reflects that free throw attempts represent less efficient shooting opportunities than field goals from play. Players drawing fouls typically do so in high-pressure situations, and the conversion rate for free throws, while generally strong, doesn't match field goal efficiency for most players. This weighting prevents players who foul-draw frequently but miss free throws from inflating their TS% artificially. Analytics researchers derived 0.44 through historical regression analysis across thousands of seasons.

Is a 55% true shooting percentage considered good in the NBA?

Yes, 55% TS% is solidly above average for professional basketball. NBA-wide average fluctuates between 53–55% depending on season and rule changes. A player sustaining 55%+ TS% over a full season qualifies as an efficient scorer contributing positively to winning. However, context matters: a bench player at 55% TS% represents efficiency with limited attempts, while a star guard at 55% TS% on high volume might be underperforming. Comparing players within similar usage rates and positions gives clearer assessment.

How do three-point shooters typically perform on true shooting percentage?

Elite three-point specialists often rank among the league's most efficient scorers by TS%. A shooter making 40%+ of three-pointers while avoiding difficult twos will accumulate higher TS% than a traditional post player. For example, a sniper shooting 42% from three and 88% from free throw on limited attempts can exceed 65% TS%. Conversely, poor three-point shooters forced to launch threes face lower TS% because three-point misses (zero points) count against their efficiency more heavily than two-point misses.

Can true shooting percentage predict player success in playoffs?

TS% correlates with playoff performance, but it's not perfectly predictive. Players maintaining 55%+ TS% in playoffs generally perform well, but playoff defenses intensify, forcing role players to exceed their season TS% isn't realistic. Superstars occasionally show TS% drops of 2–5 percentage points in playoffs due to tighter defense, while some thrive under pressure. TS% works best as one component in a multi-metric evaluation, combined with turnover rate, defensive metrics, and situational shooting in high-leverage moments.

How often do NBA players achieve 60% true shooting percentage?

Fewer than 10% of NBA players achieve 60% TS% in any given season. Those who do almost always rank among the league's best scorers or occupy specialized roles (e.g., efficient backup centers, catch-and-shoot forwards). Sustaining 60% TS% over multiple seasons places a player firmly in elite company. The bar drops slightly for players with fewer than 5 shots per game, but exceeding 60% TS% while maintaining star-level usage (15+ FGA per game) remains exceptionally rare and indicates generational talent.

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