Sports & Gaming · Statistics · Descriptive Statistics
Three Point Percentage Calculator
Calculate a basketball player's three-point field goal percentage from attempted and made three-pointers.
Calculator
Formula
3P% is the three-point field goal percentage. 3PM is the number of three-point field goals made. 3PA is the number of three-point field goals attempted. The result is expressed as a percentage (0–100).
Source: NBA Official Statistics Glossary, NBA.com/stats; FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2022.
How it works
The formula divides the number of successful three-point field goals (3PM) by the total number of three-point field goals attempted (3PA), then multiplies by 100 to express the result as a percentage. This is the same formula used officially by the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, and FIBA.
Three-point percentage is a key component of modern basketball analytics. It is a primary input in advanced metrics such as True Shooting Percentage (TS%), Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%), and Player Efficiency Rating (PER). A 3P% of 35% is generally considered league-average in the NBA, while elite shooters consistently exceed 40%.
Beyond individual player analysis, three-point percentage is used in team scouting reports, game-planning, draft evaluation, and salary arbitration. Fantasy basketball platforms display 3P% as one of the nine standard statistical categories, making this calculator valuable for fantasy league managers as well.
Worked example
Example: Stephen Curry shoots 337 three-pointers in a season and makes 122 of them. What is his 3P%?
Step 1: Identify the values: 3PM = 122, 3PA = 337.
Step 2: Apply the formula: 3P% = (122 / 337) × 100.
Step 3: Calculate: 122 ÷ 337 = 0.3620...
Step 4: Multiply by 100: 3P% ≈ 36.2%.
Step 5: Missed three-pointers = 337 − 122 = 215 misses.
This result tells us the player converts about 36 out of every 100 three-point attempts, which is roughly league average for an NBA player.
Limitations & notes
This calculator assumes every attempt recorded is a legitimate three-point field goal attempt as defined by the applicable ruleset (NBA arc: 23 ft 9 in at the top, 22 ft in the corners; FIBA arc: 6.75 m). It does not account for shot quality, shot location within the arc, or degree of defensive contest. A player who only attempts wide-open corner threes will typically show a higher 3P% than one who attempts heavily contested pull-up threes, even if the raw percentage is similar. Additionally, small sample sizes (fewer than ~50 attempts) make the percentage statistically unreliable as a true indicator of shooting ability. The calculator will return an undefined result if zero attempts are entered, as division by zero is mathematically undefined.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good three-point percentage in the NBA?
In the NBA, a three-point percentage of 35% is generally considered league average. Shooting 38–40% is considered very good, and anything above 40% on a meaningful volume of attempts (100+) is considered elite. The all-time single-season record is held by Kyle Korver at 53.6% (2009–10), though that came on a smaller volume of attempts.
How does three-point percentage differ from effective field goal percentage (eFG%)?
Three-point percentage measures only three-point accuracy (3PM/3PA). Effective field goal percentage (eFG%) incorporates all field goal attempts and gives a 1.5× weight to made three-pointers to account for the extra point they are worth: eFG% = (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) / FGA. eFG% is a more comprehensive shooting efficiency metric, while 3P% is specific to beyond-the-arc shooting.
What is the minimum number of attempts needed for a statistically reliable 3P%?
Statistical convention and most scouting organizations require at least 50–100 three-point attempts before a player's 3P% is considered a reliable indicator of true shooting ability. The NBA's official league leaders list typically requires a minimum of 55 three-point field goals made to qualify for the annual percentage title. With fewer attempts, the percentage has high variance and can be misleading.
Does the three-point line distance differ between leagues?
Yes. The NBA arc is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) at the top of the key and 22 feet (6.71 m) in the corners. FIBA and international rules use a 6.75 m (22 ft 2 in) arc with no shorter corner distance. The NCAA men's arc was extended to 22 feet 1.75 inches (6.75 m) in 2019. These differences affect how comparable 3P% figures are across leagues, since the longer NBA arc generally produces lower percentages.
Can three-point percentage be over 100%?
No. Three-point percentage is a ratio of made shots to attempted shots, so it is always between 0% and 100% inclusive. A perfect 3P% of 100% would mean every single three-point attempt was successful, which is theoretically possible on a very small sample but has never been achieved over a full NBA season. This calculator will return an invalid result if made shots exceed attempted shots, as that would indicate a data entry error.
How is three-point percentage used in fantasy basketball?
In standard 9-category fantasy basketball leagues, three-point field goals made (3PM) — not three-point percentage — is typically the counted category. However, some leagues use 3P% as a category, in which case players with high volume AND high accuracy (such as Klay Thompson or Buddy Hield) are the most valuable. This calculator helps fantasy managers evaluate whether a player's 3P% is sustainable given their attempt volume.
Last updated: 2025-01-30 · Formula verified against primary sources.