eFG Calculator

Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) adjusts traditional shooting metrics to account for the fact that three-point field goals are worth 50% more points than two-point field goals. The standard mathematical formula is expressed as:

eFG% = (Field Goals + 0.5 × Three-Pointers Made) / Field Goal Attempts

By adding half of the three-pointers made to your total field goals, the formula weights long-range shots correctly relative to standard field goals before dividing by total attempts.

Imagine a shooting guard takes 20 shots in a game. They successfully make 10 total field goals, of which 4 are three-pointers. That means they made 6 two-pointers and 4 three-pointers. To find their eFG%, we plug these numbers into our equation:

1. Identify variables: Field Goals = 10, Three-Pointers Made = 4, Field Goal Attempts = 20.

2. Apply weighting: Multiply the 3-pointers by 0.5, which gives 2 (since 4 × 0.5 = 2).

3. Adjust field goals: Add this value to total field goals (10 + 2 = 12).

4. Divide by attempts: Divide 12 by the 20 total field goal attempts to get 0.60.

Result: The player's effective field goal percentage for that game is 60%, reflecting a much higher scoring impact than a standard 50% field goal percentage would suggest.

When evaluating eFG%, always compare players within the same position group, as centers who primarily shoot near the rim have different shot profiles than perimeter guards. Furthermore, combine eFG% with usage rate and turnover percentage to get a comprehensive evaluation of an offensive player's overall value. Be cautious when looking at tiny sample sizes, such as a single game, because shooting percentages fluctuate wildly over short stretches.