True Shooting Percentage (TS%) Calculator

Calculate basketball True Shooting Percentage from points, field goal attempts, and free throw attempts. Includes league comparison, era adjustment, and efficiency analysis.

About the True Shooting Percentage (TS%) Calculator

True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is the most comprehensive single measure of scoring efficiency in basketball. Unlike field goal percentage, TS% accounts for the value of three-pointers and the "free" points from free throws by incorporating all scoring attempts into one number. The formula weights free throw attempts at 0.44 (not 0.5) because and-one plays and technical free throws create "extra" attempts.

League-average TS% in the NBA has risen steadily from ~52% in the 1990s to ~57-58% in 2024 due to the three-point revolution. A TS% of 60%+ is considered elite, 55-60% is above average, and below 50% indicates inefficient scoring. The metric is especially valuable for comparing players with different shot profiles—a player hitting 45% from two but 38% from three and 85% at the line may have the same TS% as someone shooting 52% from two with few threes.

This calculator computes TS% from box score stats, compares it to league averages and all-time leaders, and provides context about scoring volume efficiency.

Why Use This True Shooting Percentage (TS%) Calculator?

Accurately measure scoring efficiency, compare players across eras and shot profiles, and identify the most efficient scorers in basketball. This tool is designed for quick, accurate results without manual computation. Whether you are a student working through coursework, a professional verifying a result, or an educator preparing examples, accurate answers are always just a few keystrokes away.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter total points scored
  2. Enter field goal attempts and free throw attempts
  3. Optionally add three-point data for breakdown analysis
  4. Review TS% and league comparison
  5. Check efficiency rating and historical percentile
  6. Compare across seasons or players using the multi-entry mode

Formula

TS% = Points / (2 × (FGA + 0.44 × FTA)). The 0.44 factor accounts for and-one plays, technical FTs, and flagrant FTs that don't represent a "full" FTA. True Shooting Attempts (TSA) = FGA + 0.44 × FTA. Points Per TSA = PTS / TSA.

Example Calculation

Result: TS% = 60.9%

TSA = 20 + 0.44 × 8 = 23.52. TS% = 28 / (2 × 23.52) = 59.5%. This is above league average (~57%) indicating efficient scoring at solid volume.

Tips & Best Practices

TS% and the Three-Point Revolution

The modern NBA's shift toward three-point shooting has fundamentally changed scoring efficiency. A 35% three-point shooter and a 52.5% two-point shooter produce identical points per shot (1.05 per attempt). Since league-average three-point percentage hovers around 36%, the three has become the more efficient shot for many players, driving up league-wide TS%.

Historical TS% Leaders Among Volume Scorers

Among players averaging 25+ PPG for a season: Steph Curry 2015-16 (66.9% TS%), Kevin Durant 2012-13 (64.7%), LeBron James 2012-13 (64.0%). These represent historically dominant efficiency at elite scoring volume. For context, Michael Jordan's best TS% season was 61.4% in 1988-89—still exceptional but below modern elite levels due to era differences.

Beyond TS%: Points Per Possession

While TS% is the gold standard per-shot metric, points per possession (PPP) from play-type data provides even more context. A player might have 58% TS% overall but score 1.2 PPP in pick-and-roll and only 0.85 PPP in isolation. Combining TS% with play-type efficiency paints the complete scoring picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 0.44 used instead of 0.5 for free throws?

Because not every free throw attempt represents a "possession cost." And-one free throws, technical free throws, and flagrant foul shots don't cost a possession. The 0.44 coefficient empirically adjusts for this, making TS% a better representation of points-per-possession efficiency.

What is a good TS%?

In the modern NBA: Below 52% = poor, 52-55% = below average, 55-57% = average, 57-60% = above average, 60-64% = elite, 65%+ = historically great (usually low-volume players or dominant big men). Use this as a practical reminder before finalizing the result.

Does TS% account for volume?

No, and that's both a feature and a limitation. A player scoring 30 ppg on 60% TS% is far more valuable than one scoring 8 ppg on 65% TS%. Always consider TS% alongside scoring volume for a complete picture.

Who has the highest career TS% in NBA history?

Among players with significant minutes, DeAndre Jordan holds a high mark around 65%, but he scored almost exclusively on dunks/lobs. Among scorers (20+ ppg), players like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James have career TS% in the 60-62% range—remarkable for high-volume scorers.

How has league-average TS% changed over time?

1980s: ~53%. 1990s: ~52%. 2000s: ~53%. 2010s: ~54-55%. 2020s: ~57-58%. The increase is driven by the three-point revolution, analytics-driven shot selection (fewer long twos), and improved free-throw shooting.

Is TS% better than eFG%?

For overall scoring efficiency, yes. eFG% accounts for three-pointers but ignores free throws entirely. A player who draws fouls and shoots 85% from the line would be undervalued by eFG%. TS% captures the full scoring picture.

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