True Shooting Percentage (TS%) Calculator
Calculate a player’s true shooting percentage by entering their field goal, three-point, and free throw statistics. TS% accounts for all scoring contributions including free throws and three-pointers.
True Shooting Percentage Results
How to Calculate True Shooting Percentage (TS%): The Complete Guide
True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is an advanced basketball statistic that measures a player’s scoring efficiency by accounting for all types of field goals (2-pointers, 3-pointers) and free throws. Unlike traditional field goal percentage, TS% provides a more comprehensive view of a player’s offensive contribution.
The True Shooting Percentage Formula
The formula for calculating True Shooting Percentage is:
TS% = Points / (2 × (FGA + 0.44 × FTA))
Where:
- Points = Total points scored (2 × (FGM – 3PM) + 3 × 3PM + FT)
- FGA = Field Goals Attempted
- FTA = Free Throws Attempted
- FGM = Field Goals Made
- 3PM = Three-Pointers Made
- FT = Free Throws Made
Why True Shooting Percentage Matters
TS% is considered one of the most important advanced metrics in basketball analytics because:
- It accounts for the value of three-pointers (worth 50% more than two-pointers)
- It includes free throws, which are often overlooked in traditional FG% calculations
- It provides a more accurate measure of scoring efficiency than FG% alone
- It allows for better comparison between players with different shot distributions
How TS% Differs from Other Shooting Metrics
Field Goal Percentage (FG%)
Only accounts for field goals made and attempted, ignoring free throws and the extra value of three-pointers.
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%)
Adjusts for three-pointers but still ignores free throws, which can account for 20-25% of a player’s points.
True Shooting Percentage (TS%)
The most comprehensive measure, accounting for all scoring contributions and their relative value.
Interpreting True Shooting Percentage
Here’s how to evaluate TS% values:
| TS% Range | Evaluation | Example Players (2022-23 Season) |
|---|---|---|
| < 50% | Below average efficiency | Russell Westbrook (47.8%) |
| 50% – 55% | Average efficiency | LeBron James (55.2%) |
| 55% – 60% | Above average efficiency | Kevin Durant (61.2%) |
| 60% – 65% | Elite efficiency | Stephen Curry (65.4%) |
| > 65% | Historic efficiency | Joel Embiid (66.7%) |
Historical Context of True Shooting
The concept of true shooting percentage was developed by basketball statistician Dean Oliver in his 2004 book “Basketball on Paper.” Oliver recognized that traditional shooting percentages didn’t fully capture a player’s scoring efficiency because:
- They treated all field goals equally, ignoring the 50% bonus for three-pointers
- They completely excluded free throws from the calculation
- They didn’t account for the fact that free throws are generally easier shots
Oliver’s work laid the foundation for modern basketball analytics, and TS% has since become a standard metric used by NBA teams, analysts, and fantasy basketball players.
Practical Applications of TS%
Understanding and using TS% can provide several advantages:
- Player Evaluation: Identify which players are truly efficient scorers beyond just looking at points per game.
- Fantasy Basketball: Target players with high TS% who contribute efficiently to your team’s scoring.
- Coaching Decisions: Determine which players should get more shots based on their efficiency.
- Contract Negotiations: Teams use advanced metrics like TS% to evaluate player value for contracts.
- Draft Analysis: Identify college players whose scoring efficiency might translate well to the NBA.
Limitations of True Shooting Percentage
While TS% is an excellent metric, it’s important to understand its limitations:
- It doesn’t account for shot difficulty (contested vs. open shots)
- It treats all two-pointers equally, ignoring the value of shots at the rim vs. long twos
- It doesn’t consider assists or other offensive contributions
- It can be misleading for players with very low usage rates
- It doesn’t account for defensive contributions
For these reasons, TS% is best used in conjunction with other advanced metrics like Player Efficiency Rating (PER), Win Shares, and Box Plus/Minus.
How to Improve Your True Shooting Percentage
For players looking to improve their TS%, here are key strategies:
- Shot Selection: Focus on high-percentage shots (layups, dunks) and open three-pointers while avoiding contested long two-pointers.
- Free Throw Improvement: Since free throws are the most efficient shots in basketball, improving FT% can significantly boost TS%.
- Three-Point Development: For players who can shoot threes at a decent percentage (typically 35%+), adding more three-point attempts can increase TS%.
- Drawing Fouls: Players who can draw shooting fouls get to the free throw line more often, which helps TS%.
- Reducing Turnovers: While not directly part of TS%, reducing turnovers means more shot attempts per possession, which can indirectly improve efficiency.
True Shooting Percentage in Different Eras
The average TS% in the NBA has changed significantly over different eras:
| Era | Average TS% | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | ~52% | Physical defense, fewer threes, slower pace |
| 1990s | ~53% | Expansion of three-point line, more athletic players |
| 2000s | ~54% | Increased emphasis on analytics, more three-point shooting |
| 2010s | ~55% | Three-point revolution, pace-and-space offense |
| 2020s | ~56% | Extreme three-point volume, more efficient shot selection |
The steady increase in league-wide TS% reflects the evolution of offensive strategies, rule changes (like the restriction of hand-checking), and the growing influence of analytics in shot selection.
True Shooting Percentage vs. Other Advanced Metrics
While TS% is an excellent measure of scoring efficiency, it’s often used alongside other advanced metrics:
- Usage Rate (USG%): Measures what percentage of team plays a player uses while on the floor. High TS% with high USG% indicates a primary scorer who maintains efficiency.
- Player Efficiency Rating (PER): A comprehensive rating that accounts for all positive and negative contributions. TS% is a component of PER.
- Win Shares: Estimates the number of wins a player contributes to their team. Incorporates TS% along with other factors.
- Box Plus/Minus (BPM): Measures a player’s contribution relative to league average, using TS% as one of many inputs.
- Offensive Rating (ORtg): Points produced per 100 possessions. TS% is a key component of offensive rating calculations.
Calculating True Shooting Percentage: Step-by-Step Example
Let’s calculate the TS% for a player with the following stats in a game:
- Field Goals Made: 8
- Field Goals Attempted: 16
- Three-Pointers Made: 3
- Free Throws Made: 6
- Free Throws Attempted: 8
Step 1: Calculate total points
Points = (2 × (FGM – 3PM)) + (3 × 3PM) + FT
= (2 × (8 – 3)) + (3 × 3) + 6
= (2 × 5) + 9 + 6
= 10 + 9 + 6 = 25 points
Step 2: Plug values into the TS% formula
TS% = Points / (2 × (FGA + 0.44 × FTA))
= 25 / (2 × (16 + 0.44 × 8))
= 25 / (2 × (16 + 3.52))
= 25 / (2 × 19.52)
= 25 / 39.04
= 0.640 or 64.0%
This player would have an excellent TS% of 64.0% for this game.
True Shooting Percentage in Different Leagues
While we’ve focused on the NBA, TS% is used across all levels of basketball:
- College Basketball: Average TS% is typically lower than the NBA due to shorter three-point distance (until 2019) and less efficient offense.
- International Basketball: FIBA rules and different three-point distances affect TS% calculations.
- Women’s Basketball: Generally lower TS% due to different physical attributes and playing styles.
- High School Basketball: Wide variation in TS% due to varying levels of competition and development.
When comparing players across different leagues, it’s important to consider these contextual factors that can affect TS%.
Advanced Applications of True Shooting Percentage
Beyond basic player evaluation, TS% can be used in more advanced ways:
- Lineup Analysis: Calculate the TS% of different five-man lineups to determine which combinations are most efficient.
- Shot Location Optimization: Break down TS% by shot location to identify a player’s most and least efficient shots.
- Clutch Performance: Calculate TS% in clutch situations (last 5 minutes, score within 5 points) to evaluate late-game efficiency.
- Defensive Impact: Compare opponents’ TS% when a particular defender is on vs. off the court to measure defensive impact.
- Development Tracking: Monitor TS% over time to track player development, especially young players improving their shot selection.
Common Misconceptions About True Shooting Percentage
Despite its widespread use, there are several misconceptions about TS%:
- “Higher TS% always means better player”: TS% only measures scoring efficiency, not other contributions like defense, playmaking, or rebounding.
- “TS% is the same as effective field goal percentage”: While similar, eFG% doesn’t account for free throws, which TS% does.
- “All high-volume scorers have high TS%”: Some high-usage players maintain efficiency, but many see their TS% drop as usage increases.
- “TS% can’t be improved”: Players can significantly improve their TS% through better shot selection and free throw shooting.
- “TS% is only for guards”: Big men with high free throw rates can have excellent TS% even with lower three-point attempts.
True Shooting Percentage in Basketball Analytics Software
Most modern basketball analytics platforms include TS% as a standard metric:
- Basketball-Reference: Includes TS% in player pages and advanced statistical tables.
- NBA Advanced Stats: The NBA’s official stats site provides TS% for all players.
- Synergy Sports: Offers TS% breakdowns by play type and defensive coverage.
- Second Spectrum: Provides TS% along with tracking data for deeper analysis.
- Fantasy Basketball Platforms: Many fantasy sites include TS% to help managers evaluate players.
These tools make it easy to access and analyze TS% data for players at all levels of competition.