How to Calculate an Effective Goal Percentage

The effective field goal percentage is a statistic used in basketball to take into consideration the additional difficulty of three-point shots and the extra points awarded for making a three-pointer. Since a three-pointer is worth 50 percent more than a normal field goal, it is worth 50 percent more when calculating the effective field goal percentage. For example, a player who makes two three-pointers out of five shots scores the same number of points as a player who makes three two-pointers out of five shots.

Things You'll Need

  • Calculator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Multiply the number of three-point field goals made by the player by 0.5 For example, if the player made 100 three-pointers, multiply 100 by 0.5 to get 50.

    • 2

      Add the Step 1 result to the total number of field goals the player made, including three-point field goals. In this example, if the person made 250 total field goals, add 50 to 250 to get 300.

    • 3

      Divide the Step 2 result by the number of field goals attempted. Completing the example, if the player took 600 shots, divide 300 by 600 to get 0.5, or 50 percent.