Sports & Gaming · Statistics · Descriptive Statistics
Free Throw Percentage Calculator
Calculate a basketball player's free throw percentage from attempted and made free throws.
Calculator
Formula
FT% is the free throw percentage. FTM is the number of free throws made. FTA is the number of free throws attempted. The result is expressed as a percentage from 0 to 100.
Source: NBA Official Statistics Glossary — NBA.com/stats. Standard formula used by all major basketball governing bodies including NBA, NCAA, and FIBA.
How it works
The formula divides the number of free throws made (FTM) by the number of free throws attempted (FTA) and multiplies by 100 to express the result as a percentage. For example, a player who makes 75 out of 85 attempts has a free throw percentage of (75 ÷ 85) × 100 = 88.24%.
Free throw percentage is a fundamental descriptive statistic in basketball. Unlike field goals, free throws are uncontested shots from a fixed distance of 15 feet from the backboard, making the metric a reliable measure of a player's shooting mechanics and mental consistency under pressure. It is tracked in official box scores by the NBA, NCAA, FIBA, and all major basketball leagues worldwide.
This metric is used in player scouting, salary negotiations, fantasy basketball, and strategic in-game decisions such as the 'hack-a-player' tactic, where teams intentionally foul poor free throw shooters to limit their offensive output.
Worked example
Example: Calculating a season free throw percentage.
Suppose a player has the following season stats:
Free Throws Made (FTM): 312
Free Throws Attempted (FTA): 358
Step 1: Divide FTM by FTA:
312 ÷ 358 = 0.87151...
Step 2: Multiply by 100 to convert to a percentage:
0.87151 × 100 = 87.15%
This result would be considered an excellent free throw percentage, above the NBA average of roughly 77–78%, and approaching the elite threshold of 90%+.
Limitations & notes
This calculator assumes all inputs are non-negative integers and that free throws made cannot exceed free throws attempted. If you enter more made than attempted, the result is undefined. A minimum of one attempt (FTA ≥ 1) is required to produce a meaningful percentage; zero attempts results in an undefined statistic, not 0%. Small sample sizes — for example, 1 made out of 1 attempted — can produce misleadingly high percentages. Statisticians generally require at least 50–100 attempts before treating the percentage as a stable estimate of a player's true ability. This tool does not account for clutch performance, game-situation pressure, or time-of-season variation.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good free throw percentage in the NBA?
The NBA league average for free throw percentage typically falls between 77% and 78%. A percentage above 80% is considered good, above 85% is excellent, and above 90% is elite. All-time leaders like Stephen Curry, Steve Nash, and Mark Price have career percentages above 90%.
What is the NBA all-time record for free throw percentage?
José Juan Barea and José Calderón both shot above 98% in single seasons, but for career records, Steve Nash holds the NBA all-time career free throw percentage record at approximately 90.43% on over 3,000 attempts, as tracked by Basketball Reference.
Why do some big men have low free throw percentages?
Centers and power forwards often have lower free throw percentages due to mechanics — larger hands can make it harder to develop consistent touch, and many big men did not focus on perimeter shooting during their developmental years. The 'hack-a-Shaq' strategy exploited this, as Shaquille O'Neal had a career free throw percentage of around 52.7%.
What is the difference between FT% and field goal percentage?
Free throw percentage (FT%) measures only uncontested foul-line shots, while field goal percentage (FG%) measures all two-point and three-point shot attempts during live play. Free throws are shot from a fixed distance with no defenders, making FT% a purer measure of shooting mechanics. Field goals are taken under variable conditions and distances.
How is free throw percentage used in fantasy basketball?
In most fantasy basketball formats, free throw percentage is one of the standard 'category' stats that leagues track. Rostering players with high FT% and high volume (many FTA per game) is a common strategy to win the FT% category. Players with very low FT% and high volume — such as some centers — can actually hurt your team's FT% in head-to-head category leagues.
Is 1-for-1 at the free throw line a 100% shooting night?
Technically yes, a player who makes 1 of 1 free throw has a 100% free throw percentage for that game. However, statisticians and analysts typically consider small-sample percentages unreliable. Many league leaderboards require a minimum number of attempts (e.g., 125 FTA in the NBA) before a player qualifies for official percentage rankings.
Last updated: 2025-01-30 · Formula verified against primary sources.