Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%): Formula, Calculator, & Stats Guide

Traditional box scores often fail to capture the true value of a player's scoring efficiency. While a player shooting 50% from the field looks efficient on paper, raw Field Goal Percentage (FG%) makes no distinction between a two-point layup and a three-pointer.

This limitation is precisely why Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) was created. As a foundational advanced basketball stat, eFG% adjusts for the added value of the three-point shot, providing analysts, coaches, and fans with a far more precise measurement of true scoring efficiency.

The Math Behind eFG%: Formula & Breakdown

A three-point basket is worth 50% more points than a two-point basket. The eFG% formula accounts for this difference by adding 0.5 made shots to the numerator for every successful three-pointer.

The eFG% Formula

eFG% = (FGM + (0.5 * 3PM)) / FGA

FGM (Field Goals Made): Total successful shots (2-pointers + 3-pointers).
3PM (3-Point Field Goals Made): Total successful shots from beyond the arc.
FGA (Field Goal Attempts): Total field goals attempted.

Real-World Example: Why Traditional FG% Misleads

To understand why advanced basketball stats rely on eFG%, compare two hypothetical players taking 10 shots in a game:

The Takeaway: Player A appears superior under traditional FG% (60% vs. 50%). However, because Player B converted three shots from deep, Player B scored more total points on the exact same number of shot attempts. The eFG% metric correctly identifies Player B as the more efficient scorer.

eFG% vs. True Shooting Percentage (TS%): What's the Difference?

While eFG% is a massive upgrade over traditional field goal percentage, it does not tell the full story of offensive efficiency because it ignores free throws.

When to use eFG%: When analyzing live-ball shooting performance and floor spacing impact without the distortion of foul calls.

When to use TS%: When evaluating a player's total scoring efficiency, particularly foul-drawers who earn heavy points at the charity stripe (such as James Harden or Joel Embiid).

Benchmark Standards: What Is a "Good" eFG% in the NBA?

Understanding scoring efficiency metrics requires league context. In the modern NBA, shot distribution heavily dictates expected eFG% outcomes:

Historical Context: During Stephen Curry's unanimous MVP season (2015–16), he posted a .630 eFG% while attempting 11.2 three-pointers per game, proving that high volume and high efficiency can coexist at the perimeter level.

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