Table of Contents
What is eFG%?
Effective Field Goal Percentage adjusts traditional field goal percentage to account for the extra point value of three-point shots. Standard FG% treats all made baskets equally, which undervalues players who shoot many three-pointers. A player shooting 33% from three generates the same points per shot as someone shooting 50% from two, but standard FG% makes the three-point shooter look far worse.
eFG% corrects this by adding a 50% bonus for each made three-pointer in the numerator, reflecting that a made three is worth 1.5 times a made two in terms of points produced. This makes it a better metric for comparing shooting efficiency across different shot profiles.
eFG% Formula
Where FGM is field goals made (including threes), 3PM is three-pointers made, and FGA is field goals attempted. The 0.5 multiplier on three-pointers reflects their 50% extra point value over two-point shots.
NBA Benchmarks
| eFG% | Rating | Player Type |
|---|---|---|
| 60%+ | Elite | Top centers, elite shooters |
| 55-60% | Excellent | All-Star caliber |
| 50-55% | Above Average | Quality starter |
| 45-50% | Average | League average |
| Below 45% | Below Average | Inefficient shooter |
Why eFG% Matters
- Shot selection: Identifies players taking efficient vs. low-percentage shots.
- Team offense: Team eFG% is one of the "Four Factors" most correlated with winning.
- Three-point era: As NBA teams shoot more threes, eFG% is increasingly important.
- Limitation: Does not include free throws; True Shooting % (TS%) is more complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between eFG% and TS%?
eFG% adjusts only for three-point value, while True Shooting Percentage also incorporates free throws. TS% = Points / (2 x (FGA + 0.44 x FTA)). TS% is more comprehensive but eFG% isolates pure shooting from the field.
What is a good eFG% for a team?
In the modern NBA, team eFG% of 54%+ is elite. The league average hovers around 51-52%. Playoff teams almost always have above-average eFG% on offense and force below-average eFG% on defense.
Can eFG% exceed 100%?
Theoretically yes, if every shot made were a three-pointer (150% max). In practice, this never happens over a meaningful sample size. eFG% above 65% for an individual over a season would be historically exceptional.