By Zencalcy Editorial TeamLast reviewed About us
Effective field goal percentage adjusts ordinary field goal percentage for the fact that a three-pointer is worth more than a two. It credits each made three as 1.5 field goals, then divides by attempts. That makes it a fairer single-number comparison between players with different shot mixes.
Adjust field goal percentage for the extra value of a three.
eFG% = (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) ÷ FGA × 100
A three is worth 1.5 times a two, so the formula adds half a make for every three. A player with 9 makes including 4 threes is credited with 11 effective makes. The three-point makes must be part of the total field goals made, not added on top.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FGM | Total field goals made, including both two-point and three-point baskets. |
| 3PM | Three-pointers made, which must be a subset of total field goals made. |
| FGA | Field goals attempted, counting every shot that is not a free throw. |
| eFG% | Value-adjusted makes divided by attempts, shown as a percentage. |
Ordinary FG% is 9 ÷ 20 = 45.0%. Effective FG% credits the four threes with two extra makes, so (9 + 0.5 × 4) ÷ 20 = 11 ÷ 20 = 55.0%. The gap shows how much the three-point shooting adds.
Effective field goal percentage adjusts for the fact that a three is worth more than a two. The formula is made field goals plus half of made threes, divided by field goal attempts. Adding half a make per three is equivalent to counting each three as one and a half field goals, which is exactly the ratio of three points to two.
Without the adjustment, a player who shoots 40 percent from three looks worse than one who shoots 45 percent from two, even though the first is scoring more per attempt. Effective field goal percentage corrects that distortion and is the standard accuracy measure for shot value in modern analysis.
Effective field goal percentage still ignores free throws. A player who attacks the rim, draws contact, and shoots a high volume of free throws at a good rate receives no credit for those points. That omission can understate the value of slashers and interior players who generate fouls.
The stat also treats all twos alike. A long contested two and a layup count the same, so it rewards shot location only through the three point line. For a fuller efficiency picture, use it next to true shooting percentage, which folds in free throws and total scoring.
Continue with the Field Goal Percentage Calculator, Free Throw Percentage Calculator, or the Three-Point Percentage Calculator — or browse more basketball tools and all sports calculators.
A three produces 3 points and a two produces 2, so a three is worth 1.5 twos. Adding half a make per three puts both shot types on a comparable scoring scale.
Every result is computed locally in your browser from the formulas shown above. Nothing you type is uploaded, logged, or stored, and no account is required.
Reference material used to build and check this calculator:
Last reviewed: September 2026. See how we build and check every tool on the about page.
Free calculator · No signup
Free calculator · No signup
Free calculator · No signup
Free calculator · No signup
Free calculator · No signup
Free calculator · No signup
Content updated: September 2026