GUIDES · BETSLIP DOCTOR
Why can FG%, eFG% and true shooting rate the same shooting line differently?
They differ because their numerators and denominators answer different questions. FG% is field goals made divided by field goals attempted. eFG% adds credit for the extra point from each made three. True Shooting uses total points and includes free-throw attempts in its denominator with the NBA glossary’s 0.44 coefficient.
For Bettors and cappers interpreting basketball statistics · Updated
FG% counts makes; eFG% adjusts for threes
FG% is FGM divided by FGA. It treats every made field goal as one make, regardless of whether it was worth two or three points. eFG% uses the same FGA denominator and adds half a made three to FGM, so the extra point from a made three affects the percentage.
These are shooting summaries, not a prediction of the next shot. A higher eFG% than FG% can reflect made threes; it does not mean the player made more field goals.
True Shooting includes points and free-throw attempts
The NBA glossary defines True Shooting Percentage as Points / [2 × (FGA + 0.44 × FTA)]. Its numerator is total points, including points from made free throws; its denominator adjusts the field-goal attempt count for free-throw attempts. The coefficient is part of this published formula, so changing it changes the result.
To compare a line, retain FGM, FGA, 3PM, FTA, FTM and total points. FG% and eFG% share an FGA denominator; True Shooting uses a different one.
Two fictional shooting ledgers
Hypothetical ledger A: 2PM 2 of 5, 3PM 2 of 5, so FGM 4 of FGA 10; FTM 4 of FTA 5; total points 14. FG% is 4/10 = 40%. eFG% is (4 + 0.5×2)/10 = 50%. True Shooting is 14/[2×(10 + 0.44×5)] = 14/24.4 = 57.4%. Hypothetical ledger B: 2PM 4 of 10, 3PM 0 of 0, so FGM 4 of FGA 10; FTM 2 of FTA 5; total points 10. FG% is 40%, eFG% is (4 + 0)/10 = 40%, and True Shooting is 10/24.4 = 41.0%. Both ledgers use the NBA glossary’s 0.44 coefficient; every count and point total is invented, not a real player line.
Related questions
Why can True Shooting be higher than FG%?
True Shooting includes points from threes and free throws while also adjusting its denominator for free-throw attempts. FG% only compares field goals made with field goals attempted.