Field goal percentage in
basketball is the
ratio of
field goals
made to field goals
attempted. Its abbreviation is
FG%. Although three-point field goal percentage is often calculated separately, three-point field goals are included in the general field goal percentage. Instead of using scales of 0 to 100%, the scale .000 to 1.000 is commonly used. A higher field goal percentage denotes higher efficiency. In basketball, a FG% of .500 (50%) or above is considered a good percentage, although this criterion does not apply equally to all positions.
Guards usually have lower FG% than
forwards and
centers. Field goal percentage does not completely tell the skill of a player, but a low field goal percentage can indicate a poor offensive player or a player who takes many difficult shots. In the
NBA,
Center Shaquille O'Neal has a high career FG% (around .580) because he plays near the basket making many high percentage
layups and
slam dunks. Guard
Allen Iverson often had a low FG% (around .420) because he took the bulk of his team's shot attempts, even with high difficulty shots.