True Shooting Percentage
Calculate true shooting percentage (TS%) for basketball players using points, FGA, and FTA. Free shooting efficiency calculator with charts and breakdown.
About This Calculator
The True Shooting Percentage (TS%) Calculator is a free online tool for basketball players, coaches, analysts, and fans to measure shooting efficiency. True shooting percentage is one of the most comprehensive statistics for evaluating a player's scoring ability because it accounts for all types of scoring — field goals (including two-pointers and three-pointers) and free throws.
How It Works
The calculator uses the APBRmetrics (Association for Professional Basketball Research Metrics) formula: TS% = Points / (2 × TSA), where TSA = FGA + (0.44 × FTA). The 0.44 multiplier for free throw attempts is based on the observation that not every free throw consumes a possession — and-one opportunities and technical foul shots do not use up additional possessions beyond the initial field goal attempt.
Why Use TS%?
Traditional field goal percentage (FG%) does not account for the extra value of three-pointers, and it ignores free throws entirely. TS% solves both problems by weighting all scoring events appropriately. A player who shoots a high percentage but rarely shoots threes or goes to the line may have a lower TS% than a player who scores more efficiently from all three areas. For example, Stephen Curry's career TS% of 62.36% reflects his elite three-point shooting and free throw accuracy, placing him among the highest in NBA history.
Regional Notes
United States (NBA): The NBA uses TS% as a standard efficiency metric. The league average TS% typically ranges from 54-56%. Players with TS% above 60% are considered elite scorers.
International (FIBA): FIBA and international leagues also use TS% for player evaluation. The formula remains the same, though scoring averages and efficiency benchmarks may differ due to shorter game times and different rules.
College (NCAA): The NCAA uses the same TS% formula. College TS% averages are typically lower than NBA averages due to the shorter shot clock and varying competition levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is true shooting percentage (TS%)?
True shooting percentage (TS%) is a basketball statistic that measures a player's shooting efficiency by accounting for points, field goal attempts, and free throw attempts. It is calculated as TS% = PTS / (2 × (FGA + 0.44 × FTA)).
How is true shooting percentage calculated?
True shooting percentage is calculated using the formula TS% = PTS / (2 × TSA), where TSA (True Shooting Attempts) = FGA + (0.44 × FTA). The result is multiplied by 100 to express it as a percentage.
What is a good true shooting percentage in the NBA?
In the NBA, a TS% above 60% is considered elite, 55-60% is very good, 50-55% is average, and below 50% is below average. The highest career TS% belongs to Artis Gilmore at 64.33%, followed by DeAndre Jordan at 63.67%.
What is the difference between TS% and FG%?
FG% (field goal percentage) only considers field goals made versus attempted, ignoring free throws and the extra value of three-pointers. TS% accounts for all scoring — field goals, three-pointers, and free throws — giving a more complete picture of shooting efficiency.
Why does the TS formula use 0.44 for free throws?
The 0.44 multiplier accounts for the fact that not all free throw attempts use up a possession. Some free throws come from and-one situations (where a possession is already used by the field goal attempt) or technical fouls. The 0.44 factor is an estimate based on historical NBA data.
Who has the best true shooting percentage in NBA history?
Artis Gilmore holds the highest career true shooting percentage in NBA history at 64.33%. Other top players include DeAndre Jordan (63.67%), Cedric Maxwell (62.94%), and Stephen Curry (62.36%), who is the highest-ranked guard and active player.
Can TS% be over 100%?
TS% can theoretically exceed 100% in a single game if a player scores more points than twice their true shooting attempts, but this is extremely rare. In practice, NBA career TS% values range from about 40% to 64%.
How does TS% compare to effective field goal percentage (eFG%)?
eFG% adjusts for three-pointers but ignores free throws, while TS% accounts for both three-pointers and free throws. TS% is considered more comprehensive because free throw efficiency is an important part of scoring. A player with a high free throw rate may have a significantly higher TS% than eFG%.