Stats explained · eFG%
Effective field goal percentage (eFG%)
A made three is worth 1.5 times a made two. eFG% counts it that way, so a three-point shooter and an inside scorer can be compared fairly.
The formula
Free throws are not part of it. For those, use TS%.1
Worked example
Wilt Chamberlain, 2 March 1962
36 of 63 from the field; there was no three-point line in 19622.
(36 + 0.5 × 0) ÷ 63 = 57.1%, the same as his field goal percentage
Bam Adebayo, 10 March 2026
20 of 43 from the field, 7 of them threes3.
(20 + 0.5 × 7) ÷ 43 = 54.7%, while the plain FG% is 46.5%
Adebayo's seven threes add 8.1 points to his percentage; Chamberlain had no threes to count.
One game, both teams: 2 March 1962
| Player or team | eFG% | (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) ÷ FGA |
|---|---|---|
| Wilt Chamberlain | 57.1%2 | 36 ÷ 63 |
| Philadelphia Warriors | 54.8%2 | 63 ÷ 115 |
| New York Knicks | 48.3%2 | 57 ÷ 118 |
Our calculation from the box score in Wikipedia's article on the game. With no threes in 1962, eFG% is simply the field goal percentage.
What it tells you
How well a player or team shoots from the field once threes are counted at their real value.
What it does not
Free throws, turnovers and how many shots a player takes.
Calculator
Effective FG% calculator
Sources
- Wikipedia: Effective field goal percentage (version of 14 June 2026), CC BY-SA 4.0 checked 21 October 2026
- Wikipedia: Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game (version of 13 August 2026), CC BY-SA 4.0 checked 21 October 2026
- Wikipedia: List of NBA single-game scoring leaders (version of 13 October 2026), CC BY-SA 4.0 checked 21 October 2026
Checked on 20 October 2026, unless a source has its own date. Wikipedia content is licensed CC BY-SA 4.0; we take single numbers and facts from the versions linked above and say where a number is our own calculation. Spotted a mistake or a record that fell? Write to hello@boxscorestories.com.
Independent channel · not affiliated with the NBA or any team · no betting tips · YouTube @boxscorestories