
In basketball, a field goal (FG) is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the location of the attempt on the basket. A field goal can also be worth one point in FIBA 3x3 basketball competitions or four points in the BIG3 basketball league. The FG% or field goal percentage is a player's field goal success rate, calculated by dividing the number of made shots by the total number of shot attempts. For example, a stat box showing FG 2-4 means two made shots out of four attempts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is FG | FG stands for Field Goal, which is the official terminology for a made shot used by the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, and high school basketball. |
| Field Goal Definition | A basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the location of the attempt on the basket. |
| Field Goal Examples | A field goal can be a layup or a three-pointer, and one type of field goal is a slam dunk. |
| Field Goal Percentage | To calculate field goal percentage, divide the number of made shots by the total number of shot attempts. Free throws are not included in this calculation. |
| Notable Field Goal Records | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the NBA record for field goals made in a career with 15,837. Diana Taurasi holds the record for the greatest number of field goals in a WNBA season, with 298 out of 660 attempts in 2006. Wilt Chamberlain holds the top four spots for most field goals made in an NBA season and has the second-highest field goal percentage for a season (72.7%). |
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What You'll Learn

Field goal definition
In basketball, a field goal is a term used to describe a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw. Field goals are worth two or three points, depending on the location of the attempt on the basket. The term 'field' or 'the basketball field' refers to the court.
Field goals can take many forms, including jump shots, layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins. A layup is when an offensive player drives to the basket and attempts a two-point field goal from inside the paint area without making contact with the rim. A slam dunk is another type of field goal. This occurs when a player jumps near the basket with possession of the ball and throws it down through the basket while airborne.
Field goal percentage is a common way to measure a player's field goal efficiency. This is calculated by taking the number of field goals made by the number attempted, then multiplying by 100. For example, a player that attempted 10 shots and made 4 has a field goal percentage of 40%. This statistic is crucial for teams evaluating players for potential drafts or trades.
Field goals are also referred to as 'FGM' or 'FG' in statistics. The term 'field goal' is used officially in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and high school basketball.
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How to calculate field goal percentage
Field goal percentage (FG%) is a performance statistic used to measure how well a player or team shoots the ball during a game. It is the percentage of successful shots (including 2 and 3-point shots) to attempted shots (again, including 2 and 3-point attempts). It does not include free throw attempts or baskets.
To calculate field goal percentage, you divide the number of baskets made by the total number of baskets attempted. The formula is:
$$ \text{FG%} = \frac{Baskets Made}{\co: 3,5,8}/Baskets Attempted $$
For example, when Kobe Bryant scored 81 points on 22 January 2006, he made 28 out of 46 field goal attempts. That's a FG% of \(\frac{28}{46} = .609 (60.9%).
A FG% of .
It's important to note that field goal percentage doesn't distinguish between 2 and 3-point shots, and it doesn't consider free throws. As such, it doesn't always tell the full story of a player's skill. For instance, a player who draws fouls and scores with free throws may contribute more to their team's success than their FG% suggests. To address this, there are alternative metrics such as Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) and True Shooting Percentage (TS%), which take these factors into account.
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How field goals vary in different leagues
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the location of the attempt on the basket. The term "field goal" is an official term used in the rulebooks, box scores, and statistics of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and high school basketball.
The value of a field goal can vary depending on the league and the shot's distance from the basket. In the NBA, a three-point field goal is highly valuable as it is typically attempted from 23 feet and 9 inches (7.24 meters) from the basket. In FIBA and college basketball, the three-point line is slightly shorter, making it easier to score.
In the 3x3 variation of basketball, field goals can be worth one point if the shot is made within the standard three-point line. In the BIG3 basketball league, certain long-distance perimeter-based shots are worth four points instead of the traditional three.
Field goal percentage (FG%) is a critical statistic in basketball, indicating a player or team's ability to convert shot attempts into points. A high FG% indicates effective scoring, while a low FG% suggests struggles in converting attempts. Generally, a FG% of 45% or higher is solid for guards and small forwards, while 50% or higher is desirable for power forwards and centers due to their proximity to the basket.
Some of the greatest field goal shooters in NBA history include Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, and DeAndre Jordan.
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Records for the greatest number of field goals
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, and is worth two or three points depending on the location of the basket. Uncommonly, a field goal can be worth one point in FIBA 3x3 basketball competitions or four points in the BIG3 basketball league.
The record for the greatest number of field goals made in a single NBA game goes to Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 36 baskets out of 63 attempts in 1962. This was the same game in which he set the record for scoring 100 points. The closest any player has come to this record in the modern era is Kobe Bryant, who made 28 field goals during his 81-point game against the Raptors.
In terms of career field goal percentage, DeAndre Jordan holds the record with 67.4%. Shaquille O'Neal, meanwhile, holds the record for most seasons (10) with the best field goal percentage.
The record for the longest successful field goal is held by Baron Davis, who scored an 89-foot shot on February 17, 2001.
In the WNBA, Diana Taurasi holds the record for the greatest number of field goals in a season. In 2006, she attempted 660 field goals and made 298 of them, earning a Guinness World Record for both achievements.
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How field goals factor into efficiency ratings
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the location of the attempt on the basket. Uncommonly, a field goal can also be worth one point in FIBA 3x3 basketball competitions or four points in the BIG3 basketball league.
Efficiency in basketball pertains to the total value of a player to their team. It is a composite basketball statistic derived from basic individual statistics such as points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers, and shot attempts. Efficiency ratings are generally thought to favour offence-oriented players over those who specialise in defence, as defence is difficult to quantify with currently tabulated statistics.
The NBA measures individual efficiency in four ways: Efficiency (EFF), Player Efficiency Rating (PER), Offensive Efficiency Rating (OER), and Defensive Efficiency Rating (DER). The most commonly used alternative to EFF is PER, developed by ESPN basketball statistician John Hollinger. PER is an attempt to collect all of a player's contributions into one number. It takes into account positive results, including field goals, free throws, 3-pointers, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals, and negative results, including missed shots, turnovers, and personal fouls.
Hollinger argues that each two-point field goal made is worth about 1.65 points, while a three-point field goal is worth 2.65 points. A missed field goal costs the team 0.72 points. Therefore, a player will break even on his two-point field goal attempts if he makes 30.4% of these shots, and on three-pointers if he makes 21.4% of them. If a player exceeds these thresholds, the more he shoots, the higher his value in PERs.
EFF is calculated using the following formula:
PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK - Missed FG - Missed FT - TO) / GP
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Frequently asked questions
FG stands for Field Goal.
A field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the location of the attempt on the basket.
FG stats are read as the number of field goals made out of the number of field goals attempted. For example, FG 2-4 means two field goals were made out of four attempts.




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