What is eFG% (Effective Field Goal Percentage)?
The effective field goal percentage (eFG%) is an advanced basketball statistic that adjusts the traditional field goal percentage to account for the fact that 3-point field goals are worth 50% more than 2-point field goals. Introduced by basketball analyst John Hollinger, eFG% gives a more accurate picture of a player's or team's shooting efficiency.
How to Calculate Effective Field Goal Percentage
The eFG% formula is:
eFG% = (FG + 0.5 × 3P) / FGA × 100
Where:
- FG — All field goals made (2-point + 3-point)
- 3P — 3-point field goals made
- FGA — Total field goal attempts (2-point attempts + 3-point attempts)
- 0.5 — The bonus multiplier for the extra value of 3-pointers
eFG% vs. Traditional FG%
Traditional field goal percentage treats every made basket the same — whether it's a 2-pointer or a 3-pointer. This understates the value of players who shoot many 3-pointers and overstates the value of those who only shoot 2-pointers.
eFG% fixes this by giving extra credit for 3-point makes. For example:
- A player who makes 5 of 10 two-point attempts has FG% = 50.0% and eFG% = 50.0%
- A player who makes 5 of 10 three-point attempts has FG% = 50.0% but eFG% = 75.0%
The second player produces 50% more points per shot — eFG% captures this, traditional FG% does not.
Example: Using the eFG Calculator
Suppose a player scores the following in a game:
- 2-point FGs made: 8, 2-point FG attempts: 15
- 3-point FGs made: 4, 3-point FG attempts: 10
Calculation:
- All FG = 8 + 4 = 12
- FGA = 15 + 10 = 25
- eFG% = (12 + 0.5 × 4) / 25 × 100 = 14 / 25 × 100 = 56.0%
- Traditional FG% = 12 / 25 × 100 = 48.0%
The 8-percentage-point difference reflects the extra value of those 4 three-pointers.
eFG% Rating Scale
| eFG% | Rating | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ≥ 60% | Excellent | Elite NBA-level shooting efficiency |
| 55–59.9% | Above Average | Strong efficiency, above league average |
| 50–54.9% | Average | Around the NBA league average (~53–54%) |
| 45–49.9% | Below Average | Below league average, room for improvement |
| < 45% | Poor | Inefficient shooting, hurts team offense |
Why eFG% Matters
eFG% is one of the "Four Factors" of basketball success identified by Dean Oliver — along with turnover rate, offensive rebounding rate, and free throw rate. Teams with higher eFG% typically win more games.
- For players: Identifies who is a truly efficient scorer vs. a high-volume, low-efficiency scorer
- For teams: Higher eFG% strongly correlates with offensive efficiency and wins
- For coaches: Helps decide shot selection — a well-contested 3-pointer may be better than an off-balance 2-pointer
eFG% in the NBA
The NBA league-average eFG% typically hovers around 53–55%. Elite shooters and teams routinely exceed 60%. The statistic is used by front offices for contract decisions, by broadcasters for game analysis, and by fans to compare players across eras.
FAQs
Does eFG% include free throws?
No. Free throws are not field goal attempts. If you want a metric that includes free throws, use True Shooting Percentage (TS%).
Can eFG% exceed 100%?
Technically yes, if a player attempted only 3-pointers and made all of them (eFG% = 150%). In practice this is extremely rare over meaningful sample sizes.
Can eFG% be zero?
Yes — if a player attempts field goals but makes none, eFG% = 0%.
Is eFG% the same as TS%?
No. True Shooting Percentage (TS%) includes free throw attempts in the denominator, making it a broader measure of scoring efficiency. eFG% is purely about field goals.