True Shooting Percentage Calculator
Calculate TS% - The most accurate measure of scoring efficiency accounting for 2-pointers, 3-pointers, and free throws
Total points scored (2-pointers + 3-pointers + free throws)
Total shot attempts (both 2-point and 3-point attempts)
Total free throw attempts (0 if no free throws taken)
Example: NBA Season Stats
PTS: 1851 | FGA: 1205 | FTA: 665
Result: 61.8% TS% (Excellent efficiency)
Ready to Calculate
Enter points scored, field goal attempts, and free throw attempts to calculate true shooting percentage instantly
League Average: 57.0% TS% | Why TS% matters: It's the most comprehensive shooting efficiency metric, accounting for all scoring methods with appropriate weighting.
What is True Shooting Percentage?
True Shooting Percentage (TS%) measures scoring efficiency. It accounts for all shot types: 2-pointers, 3-pointers, and free throws. Regular field goal percentage treats all shots the same. But a 3-pointer is worth more than a 2-pointer, right? TS% fixes that. It also includes free throws, unlike effective field goal percentage, which only looks at field goals.
Basketball statisticians created this metric to answer one question: How efficient is a player at scoring? You can't compare players fairly if one shoots threes and draws fouls while another takes mid-range jumpers. TS% weighs each scoring method properly so you're comparing apples to apples.
Why TS% Matters in Modern Basketball
NBA teams use TS% more than any other shooting stat. Why? It shows how many points a player creates per shot. Someone with 60% TS% generates 1.2 points per attempt (0.60 × 2 = 1.2). That's excellent.
League average sits around 57%. That's about 1.14 points per shot. Players who beat this number are offensive weapons. Those below it? They struggle to get minutes in big games.
Who Uses True Shooting Percentage?
Professional Teams
NBA front offices evaluate players using TS% when making roster decisions. Coaches design plays to maximize their team's true shooting percentage while minimizing opponents' efficiency.
Basketball Analysts
Sports journalists and broadcasters cite TS% to explain why certain players are more valuable than their traditional stats suggest. It reveals hidden efficiency that raw points per game can't show.
Fantasy Basketball Players
Fantasy leagues that reward efficiency ratings use TS% to identify undervalued players. A low-usage player with 65% TS% can be more valuable than a high-volume scorer at 52%.
College & High School Coaches
Youth coaches track TS% to teach shot selection. Players learn that taking high-percentage shots and drawing fouls is better than forcing contested jumpers.
TS% took off in the early 2000s when analytics hit basketball. Teams figured out that points per game don't tell the whole story. A player scoring 20 points on 18 shots? Less valuable than one scoring 18 on 12 shots. TS% shows you that difference clearly.
How to Use the True Shooting Percentage Calculator
Using this calculator is simple. You need three stats from any box score: points, field goal attempts, and free throw attempts. Type them in and you'll get results instantly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Enter Points Scored (PTS)
This includes all points: 2-pointers, 3-pointers, and made free throws. Don't subtract anything. If a player scored 28 points in a game, enter 28. For season totals, use the cumulative points scored.
Enter Field Goal Attempts (FGA)
This is the total number of shots taken from the floor, both 2-point and 3-point attempts. Include both made and missed shots. If a player took 15 two-pointers and 8 three-pointers, enter 23 total field goal attempts.
Enter Free Throw Attempts (FTA)
Count every free throw attempted, made or missed. If a player went 8-for-10 from the line, enter 10. For players who didn't attempt any free throws, enter 0 (the calculator handles this correctly).
View Your Results Instantly
The true shooting percentage calculator displays your TS% as soon as you enter valid numbers. You'll see the percentage, performance rating, and comparison to the NBA league average. No calculate button needed.
Pro Tips for Accurate Calculations
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Don't confuse field goals made with field goal attempts. Use attempts (both made and missed).
- ✗Don't separate 2-point and 3-point attempts. Combine them into one FGA number.
- ✗Don't include and-one free throws separately. They're already counted in FTA.
- ✗Don't use shooting percentages as inputs. Use raw counting stats only.
Best Practices for Meaningful Results
- ✓Use season totals or recent game averages for stable results. Single-game TS% can be misleading.
- ✓Compare players with similar roles. A center's TS% should be higher than a point guard's.
- ✓Use at least 50 total field goal attempts for reliable percentages. Small samples skew results.
- ✓Check league average for the specific season. It varies slightly year to year (typically 55-58%).
You can calculate TS% for any time period. Single game, full season, entire career. The formula stays the same. Just don't mix timeframes. One game's points with a season's attempts? That'll give you garbage results.
Understanding the True Shooting Percentage Formula
The TS% formula looks simple. But there's smart weighting built in. Let me show you how it works and why it's designed this way.
The Complete Formula
PTS = Total points scored (all 2-pointers, 3-pointers, and made free throws)
FGA = Field goal attempts (all shots from the floor, made or missed)
FTA = Free throw attempts (all free throws, made or missed)
0.88 = The adjustment coefficient for free throws (accounts for and-one opportunities and technical fouls)
Why the 0.88 Coefficient?
Why 0.88 instead of 0.5? Good question. Here's the deal:
Most fouls give you two free throws. That's one possession. But and-one free throws come after you've already scored from the field. Technical fouls add free throws without using a possession. The 0.88 number accounts for this mix. It's not random. It comes from analyzing thousands of NBA games. Free throw attempts average 0.88 possessions, not 1.0.
Step-by-Step Example Calculations
Example 1: Elite NBA Player (Season Stats)
Scenario: A player finishes the season with 1,851 points on 1,205 field goal attempts and 665 free throw attempts.
Interpretation: 61.8% is excellent efficiency. This player generates 1.24 points per shot attempt (0.618 × 2), which is 4.8 percentage points above the 57% league average. They're an elite scorer who should be involved in crucial possessions.
Example 2: League-Average Guard (10-Game Stretch)
Scenario: A point guard averages 18.2 points per game over 10 games, totaling 182 points on 154 field goal attempts and 48 free throw attempts.
Interpretation: 52.0% is below average but not poor. This player creates 1.04 points per shot attempt. They're contributing but should work on shot selection or getting to the free throw line more often. This is common for high-usage guards who create their own shots.
Example 3: Efficient Role Player (Single Game)
Scenario: A bench player scores 14 points on 8 field goal attempts and 2 free throw attempts in one game.
Interpretation: 78.8% is outstanding, but be cautious with single-game samples. This player likely hit several 3-pointers and didn't force bad shots. Over a season, this efficiency would drop but it shows the value of selective shot-taking. Role players often have higher TS% than stars because they take fewer difficult shots.
Example 4: Inefficient Volume Scorer (Season Stats)
Scenario: A player averages 22 points per game but is inefficient: 1,804 points on 1,520 field goal attempts and 380 free throw attempts over a full season.
Interpretation: 53.5% is below the 57% league average. Despite scoring 22 PPG, this player takes too many shots to get there. They generate only 1.07 points per attempt. The team might be better off reducing their shot volume and distributing attempts to more efficient teammates.
Alternative Formula Formats
You might see the TS% formula written differently elsewhere:
Both formulas are mathematically identical. Format 1 is more common in modern analytics. Format 2 emphasizes that we're dividing by twice the true shooting attempts. Use whichever makes more sense to you - they produce the same result.
Interpreting Your True Shooting Percentage Results
Your TS% needs context. 58% means different things for different players. Centers versus point guards. Role players versus stars. Let's break it down.
Detailed Performance Benchmarks
Elite Efficiency: 65%+
You're one of the league's most efficient scorers. Think Rudy Gobert with his dunks and layups (rim finishing generates high TS%) or Stephen Curry with elite shooting. You're creating at least 1.30 points per shot.
What it means: Teams should give you the ball in clutch moments. Your shot selection is excellent. Role player? Keep taking only quality shots. Star? You're doing it right.
Excellent: 60-65%
All-Star caliber efficiency. You generate 1.20-1.30 points per attempt, well above league average. This range includes most All-NBA selections and players who make deep playoff runs as key contributors.
What it means: You're a reliable scoring option. Coaches trust you with the ball in close games. This is the benchmark for players who deserve max contracts or significant playing time.
Good: 56-60%
Above-average efficiency that's valuable to winning teams. You create 1.12-1.20 points per attempt. Most NBA starters fall in this range. You're efficient enough to handle significant minutes.
What it means: Keep doing what you're doing. You're contributing positively. Look for ways to push into the 60%+ range by improving shot selection or getting to the rim more often.
Average: 53-56%
Right around the NBA average of 57%. You generate about 1.06-1.12 points per shot. This isn't bad - you're scoring at a replacement-level pace. Many rotation players hover here.
What it means: Focus on improving efficiency. Take fewer long 2-pointers (the least efficient shot). Attack the rim more or work on 3-point shooting. Drawing fouls will boost your TS% significantly.
Below Average: 48-53%
Below league average. You create only 0.96-1.06 points per shot attempt. Teams typically don't want players shooting this inefficiently unless they provide other value (defense, playmaking, rebounding).
What it means: Your shot selection needs work. You might be forcing difficult shots or shooting from inefficient spots. Consider becoming more selective. Pass up contested jumpers for better opportunities.
Poor: Below 48%
Way below average. You're creating less than 0.96 points per shot. Teams lose when you shoot this poorly. You're either doing too much or picking terrible shots.
What it means: Time for major changes. Cut your shot attempts way down or fix your shot selection. Take only high-percentage looks. Get help from your coaches.
Factors That Affect True Shooting Percentage
Factors That Increase TS%
- • Taking more 3-pointers instead of long 2-pointers
- • Getting to the free throw line frequently
- • Shooting high percentage at the rim (dunks, layups)
- • Selective shot-taking (only good looks)
- • Drawing fouls on 3-point attempts (4-point plays)
- • Playing within your role (not forcing shots)
- • Benefiting from good teammates who create easy shots
Factors That Decrease TS%
- • Taking many long 2-pointers (inefficient shots)
- • Low free throw percentage (wasting possessions)
- • Forcing contested shots late in shot clock
- • High usage rate with poor shot creation
- • Playing injured or fatigued
- • Facing elite defensive teams consistently
- • Poor spacing from teammates (clogged lanes)
Position-Specific Expectations
Centers (62-65% typical): Should have the highest TS% since most shots come at the rim. Centers below 60% aren't finishing efficiently enough.
Power Forwards (58-62% typical): Mix of paint scoring and mid-range shots. Good stretch fours can exceed 62% by adding 3-point shooting.
Small Forwards (56-60% typical): Most versatile scorers. Elite wings reach 60%+ by combining 3-point shooting with efficient drives.
Shooting Guards (54-58% typical): Volume scorers who take difficult shots. High-usage guards often sacrifice efficiency for shot creation.
Point Guards (53-57% typical): Create their own shots most often. Above 58% is excellent for a primary ball-handler.
What True Shooting Percentage Doesn't Tell You
TS% is great, but it's not perfect. Here's what it misses:
- •Shot difficulty: A player with 58% TS% on contested shots might be more valuable than one with 60% on wide-open looks.
- •Shot creation: Creating your own shot versus catching passes in rhythm makes a huge difference coaches consider.
- •Turnovers: A player might have great TS% but turn the ball over often, wasting possessions before shooting.
- •Defensive impact: An inefficient scorer who plays elite defense can still help teams win games.
- •Playmaking: Point guards who sacrifice efficiency to create open shots for teammates add value TS% doesn't capture.
Don't judge players on TS% alone. Look at usage rate, win shares, plus-minus, and defense too. You need the full picture.
Performance Implications of True Shooting Percentage
Your TS% affects everything. Team wins, your contract, your career. Let's talk about what high and low efficiency really mean.
Benefits of High True Shooting Percentage (60%+)
Team Success & Winning
Teams with efficient scorers win more. Simple as that. Your starting five shoots 59% TS% while opponents shoot 55%? You'll outscore them by 5 points per 100 possessions. That's 8-10 extra wins over a season. Championship teams usually have 3-4 players above 58% TS%.
Contract Value & Salary
Front offices pay for efficiency. A player averaging 18 PPG on 62% TS% often earns more than one scoring 22 PPG on 51% TS%. Why? The efficient player helps the team win without wasting possessions. Analytics-driven teams like the Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers heavily weight TS% in contract negotiations.
Playing Time & Opportunities
Coaches trust efficient scorers in close games. If you maintain 60%+ TS% as a role player, you'll earn more minutes. Stars with elite TS% get the ball in clutch situations. Players who improve their efficiency from 52% to 58% often see their playing time increase by 5-8 minutes per game.
Spacing & Offensive Schemes
High-TS% shooters create spacing problems for defenses. If you shoot 63% TS% on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, defenders can't help off you. This opens driving lanes for teammates. Teams run more complex offensive sets when they have multiple efficient scorers drawing defensive attention.
Trade Value & Roster Building
Efficient scorers are trade assets. Teams looking to contend target players with 58%+ TS% because they fit any system. Meanwhile, volume scorers with 50% TS% have limited trade markets. NBA trade deadline deals increasingly hinge on advanced efficiency metrics like true shooting percentage.
Risks of Low True Shooting Percentage (Below 53%)
Reduced Playing Time
Coaches bench inefficient scorers, especially in crucial games. If your TS% drops below 50%, expect reduced minutes or a move to garbage time. Young players who don't improve efficiency within 2-3 seasons often lose rotation spots to more efficient alternatives.
Team Offensive Struggles
Low-TS% players hurt team offense. If you shoot 48% TS% on 15 attempts per game, you're costing your team about 2-3 points compared to an average player. Multiply this across multiple inefficient players, and teams fall from playoff contention to lottery picks.
Contract & Financial Impact
Inefficient scorers earn less or lose contracts entirely. Players with sub-50% TS% rarely get extensions. Teams decline options on inefficient young players. The difference between 51% and 57% TS% can mean millions in career earnings.
Shot Clock & Offensive Flow
Inefficient players often force bad shots late in the shot clock, disrupting offensive rhythm. Teammates stop passing to players with poor TS% because they know the possession will likely end in a miss. This creates chemistry issues and stagnant offense.
Career Longevity Concerns
NBA careers are short. Players who don't maintain 53%+ TS% wash out quickly unless they provide elite defense or playmaking. Role players especially need efficiency to stick around. Many promising careers end because players couldn't improve their true shooting percentage to acceptable levels.
How to Improve Your True Shooting Percentage
Shot Selection Changes:
- • Eliminate long 2-pointers (convert to 3s or drives)
- • Attack the rim more frequently
- • Take only open shots unless you're elite
- • Pass up contested jumpers
Skill Development:
- • Improve free throw percentage (every % counts)
- • Develop a reliable 3-point shot
- • Work on finishing at the rim
- • Learn to draw fouls effectively
Limitations of True Shooting Percentage & When to Seek Context
TS% is the best shooting stat we have. But it's not perfect. Here's what it can't tell you.
What True Shooting Percentage Doesn't Measure
1. Shot Difficulty & Shot Creation
TS% treats all shots the same. But a contested step-back three is way harder than an open corner three. Someone with 58% TS% creating their own shots? More valuable than 62% TS% catching and shooting. The calculator can't tell the difference. Context matters.
2. Usage Rate & Volume
A bench player taking 5 shots per game at 65% TS% isn't necessarily better than a star taking 22 shots at 58% TS%. High-volume scorers face tougher defense and must create shots late in the clock. Low-volume players cherry-pick the easiest opportunities. Always consider usage rate alongside true shooting percentage when evaluating players.
3. Turnovers & Possessions Wasted
TS% only counts attempts that result in a shot. A player might have great shooting efficiency but turn the ball over constantly before getting shots off. Turnovers waste possessions just like missed shots. A point guard with 57% TS% but 4 turnovers per game might hurt the team more than one with 54% TS% and 2 turnovers.
4. Defensive Impact & Two-Way Value
Basketball isn't just about offense. A player with 52% TS% who's an elite defender can have more impact than one with 60% TS% who's a defensive liability. Centers like Rudy Gobert or Draymond Green provide value beyond their scoring efficiency. Don't evaluate players on TS% alone without considering their complete two-way contribution.
5. Playmaking & Offensive Creation
Point guards who create open shots for teammates add value TS% doesn't capture. A playmaker with 55% TS% who generates 8 assists per game might impact team offense more than an efficient scorer with 62% TS% and 2 assists. The calculator can't measure how a player's gravity or passing creates easier shots for others.
6. Sample Size Reliability
Single-game TS% is nearly meaningless. A player can go 4-for-5 with 2 free throws for 78% TS% in one game, then shoot 33% TS% the next. You need at least 50-100 field goal attempts (roughly 10-15 games) for TS% to be statistically meaningful. Don't make roster decisions based on small samples.
7. Quality of Competition
A player shooting 60% TS% against weak defenders isn't as impressive as one maintaining 57% against elite opponents. The formula doesn't account for strength of schedule or defensive quality. College players often see their TS% drop 5-8 percentage points when entering the NBA due to better defense.
8. Extreme Values & Mathematical Limits
The formula can produce impossible values in extreme cases. A player who shoots exclusively free throws without field goal attempts can theoretically exceed 100% TS%. The 0.88 coefficient also breaks down when players have unusual free throw patterns. These edge cases are rare but show the metric's mathematical constraints.
When to Consult Basketball Analysts or Coaches
For player evaluation: If you're making draft decisions, trades, or contract offers, consult professional scouts who watch film and understand context TS% can't provide.
For roster construction: Team-building requires balancing TS% with complementary skills. Analytics departments combine TS% with dozens of other metrics to build complete pictures.
For player development: Coaches can identify why a player's TS% is low (poor shot selection, mechanical issues, role mismatch) and create improvement plans.
For in-game adjustments: Real-time decisions require more than TS%. Coaches consider matchups, fatigue, defensive schemes, and situational factors.
Calculator Disclaimer
This true shooting percentage calculator provides accurate statistical calculations but cannot account for context, shot difficulty, defensive quality, or situational factors. Use TS% as one metric among many when evaluating players. Results are most reliable with sample sizes of 100+ field goal attempts. For professional player evaluation, contract negotiations, or draft decisions, consult qualified basketball analysts and scouts who can provide comprehensive contextual analysis.
Related Basketball Metrics & Alternative Methods
TS% doesn't exist in a vacuum. Other metrics fill in the gaps. Let's look at what works well with TS%.
Complementary Shooting Metrics
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%)
Formula: (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) ÷ FGA
Similar to TS% but excludes free throws. It adjusts for 3-pointers being worth more than 2-pointers. Use eFG% when you want to evaluate field goal shooting without free throw impact. League average eFG% runs 3-4 percentage points lower than TS% since it doesn't include free throws.
Points Per Shot Attempt (PPS)
Formula: PTS ÷ (FGA + FTA)
A simpler efficiency metric that divides total points by total attempts. Unlike TS%, it treats field goals and free throws as equal weight. The league average is around 1.14 points per attempt. It's easier to understand than TS% but less mathematically precise for comparing different shot distributions.
Usage Rate (USG%)
Formula: 100 × [(FGA + 0.44 × FTA + TOV) × (Team MP ÷ 5)] ÷ [MP × (Team FGA + 0.44 × Team FTA + Team TOV)]
Measures what percentage of team possessions a player uses while on the court. Combine with TS% to understand volume versus efficiency. A player with 30% usage and 58% TS% is a high-volume efficient scorer. One with 15% usage and 65% TS% is a selective role player.
Offensive Rating (ORTG)
Concept: Points produced per 100 possessions
A comprehensive offensive metric that includes shooting, playmaking, turnovers, and offensive rebounds. TS% is a component of ORTG but doesn't tell the full story. Players with identical TS% can have different offensive ratings based on assists, turnovers, and offensive rebounding.
When to Use Alternative Metrics
Use TS% When...
- • Comparing overall scoring efficiency
- • Evaluating players with different shot distributions
- • Making roster decisions based on efficiency
- • Analyzing players who get to the line often
- • Looking for the single best shooting metric
Use eFG% When...
- • Focusing solely on field goal shooting
- • Comparing players who rarely shoot free throws
- • Evaluating shot selection quality
- • Analyzing catch-and-shoot specialists
- • Ignoring free throw ability
Combine TS% + USG% When...
- • Evaluating high-volume scorers
- • Comparing stars to role players fairly
- • Understanding offensive load
- • Projecting how efficiency changes with usage
- • Making MVP or All-NBA arguments
Use ORTG When...
- • Evaluating complete offensive impact
- • Comparing players with different roles
- • Including playmaking and rebounding
- • Building comprehensive player profiles
- • Making holistic offensive assessments
Building a Complete Evaluation Framework
Professional analysts don't rely on any single metric. They combine multiple stats to build complete player profiles:
Scoring Efficiency:
- • True Shooting %
- • Effective FG %
- • Points Per Shot
Volume & Usage:
- • Usage Rate
- • Shots Per Game
- • Touch %
Overall Impact:
- • Offensive Rating
- • Plus/Minus
- • Win Shares
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about true shooting percentage calculations
What's a good true shooting percentage in the NBA?
The NBA league average is 57.0% (2023-24 season). Anything above 60% is excellent, 56-60% is good, 53-56% is average, and below 53% is below average. Centers typically post the highest TS% (62-65%) due to shots near the rim, while point guards average lower (53-57%) because they create more difficult shots. Elite scorers like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokić consistently exceed 65% TS%.
How often should I recalculate my TS%?
For meaningful trends, recalculate every 10-15 games or after accumulating 100+ field goal attempts. Single-game TS% fluctuates wildly and doesn't indicate true efficiency. Season-long or rolling 20-game averages provide the most reliable picture. Professional teams track TS% daily but make decisions based on larger samples. If you're evaluating players, use at least a month's worth of games.
Why is my TS% different from other calculators online?
Some calculators use 0.44 instead of 0.88 in the formula (they're mathematically equivalent - one multiplies FTA by 0.44 inside parentheses, the other uses 0.88 outside). Others round differently or make errors in calculation. Our calculator uses the standard formula: PTS ÷ (2 × FGA + 0.88 × FTA). If you see large differences (more than 0.5%), double-check your inputs or verify the other calculator's formula. Most reputable sites like Basketball-Reference use the same formula we do.
Can I use this calculator for college or high school basketball?
Yes, the formula works for any basketball level using the same inputs (points, field goal attempts, free throw attempts). However, benchmarks differ by level. College averages are around 52-54% TS% due to shot clock differences and skill level. High school varies widely (45-55%) depending on competition. Don't compare college TS% directly to NBA standards - adjust expectations downward by 3-5 percentage points per level.
What affects true shooting percentage the most?
Shot selection has the biggest impact. Players who shoot more 3-pointers and get to the free throw line have higher TS%. Taking long 2-pointers (the least efficient shot) kills your percentage. Free throw accuracy matters - improving from 70% to 85% can boost TS% by 2-3 points. Playing style affects it too: catch-and-shoot players typically post higher TS% than isolation scorers who create contested shots.
Is TS% better than regular field goal percentage?
Yes, for comparing scorers. Regular FG% treats a 3-pointer and a 2-pointer as equal, which is wrong. A player shooting 40% from three (1.2 points per attempt) is more efficient than one shooting 50% from two (1.0 points per attempt), but FG% makes the second player look better. TS% correctly accounts for shot value and includes free throws. Every NBA team now uses TS% over FG% for evaluation. Traditional FG% is outdated for modern analytics.
Should role players have higher TS% than stars?
Usually, yes. Role players take fewer shots and choose higher-quality looks. They don't face top defenders or create shots off the dribble. Stars with 58% TS% at 30% usage rate are often more valuable than role players with 65% TS% at 15% usage. Consider both metrics together. A star maintaining 60%+ TS% on high volume is elite. A role player at 70% TS% on low volume is doing their job well but can't scale up to star-level shot volume.
How do turnovers relate to true shooting percentage?
TS% doesn't include turnovers, which is a limitation. A player with great TS% but many turnovers wastes possessions before shooting. To get a complete picture, look at offensive rating or points per possession, which factor in turnovers. A point guard with 55% TS% and 2 turnovers per game is more valuable than one with 58% TS% and 5 turnovers. The calculator shows shooting efficiency only - not overall offensive impact.
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