Player Efficiency (EFF) Calculator
This works out the box score efficiency rating, or EFF, on a per game basis. It nets a player's positive plays against their misses and turnovers. Enter the season totals and games.
Calculate player efficiency (eff)
Fill in the fields and select Calculate.
What you'll need
To use the player efficiency (eff) calculator, have these figures ready:
- Points — for example, 1500.
- Rebounds — for example, 400.
- Assists — for example, 350.
- Steals — for example, 90.
- Blocks — for example, 40.
- Missed field goals — for example, 650.
- Missed free throws — for example, 120.
- Turnovers — for example, 180.
- Games played — for example, 75.
The calculator then returns the efficiency per game the moment you press calculate.
How it works
Efficiency per game = (points + rebounds + assists + steals + blocks − missed shots − missed free throws − turnovers) ÷ games
You enter the points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, missed field goals, missed free throws, turnovers and games played, and the calculator returns the efficiency per game using the formula above.
When to Use
Use the player efficiency rating (PER) calculator to get a single-number summary of a basketball player's per-minute statistical production. PER was created by John Hollinger and accounts for positive contributions (points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals) and negative ones (missed shots, turnovers, fouls). It is widely used by analysts and media to compare players across positions.
What the result tells you
This per game efficiency total nets a player's production against their misses and turnovers, giving a quick read of all round box score value. It favours players with the ball in their hands and does not adjust for pace, so use it to rank players within a team or era rather than across very different styles of play.
Benchmarks & Interpretation
Here is how typical results are categorized and interpreted:
| Value / Range | Rating | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Below 10 | Poor | Below replacement level. The player is hurting the team statistically. |
| 10 – 15 | Below average | A bench player or limited contributor. |
| 15 – 20 | Average to good | A solid rotation player or average starter. |
| 20 – 25 | Very good | An All-Star caliber player. Among the best at their position. |
| 25+ | Elite | MVP-level performance. Only the very best achieve this. |
Pro Tips & Advice
PER rewards efficient, high-volume production. To improve your PER, focus on making positive plays on both ends while minimising mistakes. Efficient scoring (high TS%), rebounding, and assists all boost PER, while missed shots, turnovers, and personal fouls drag it down. Do not force plays to inflate your stats — PER penalises wasted possessions. Instead, play smart basketball that contributes to winning, and PER will take care of itself.
Step by step
- Enter the points.
- Enter the rebounds.
- Enter the assists.
- Enter the steals.
- Enter the blocks.
- Enter the missed field goals.
- Enter the missed free throws.
- Enter the turnovers.
- Enter the games played.
- Select Calculate to read the efficiency per game.
Worked example
A player with 1500 points, 400 rebounds, 350 assists, 90 steals, 40 blocks, 650 missed shots, 120 missed free throws and 180 turnovers over 75 games rates about 18.0 a game.
Frequently asked questions
How is the player efficiency (eff) worked out?
Efficiency per game = (points + rebounds + assists + steals + blocks − missed shots − missed free throws − turnovers) ÷ games. This works out the box score efficiency rating, or EFF, on a per game basis. It nets a player's positive plays against…
Is this the same as Hollinger's PER?
No. This is the simpler box score EFF per game. Hollinger's PER is pace adjusted and set to a league average of 15, so the two are not the same scale.
Is PER a perfect all-in-one metric?
No. PER has known limitations: it overvalues offense relative to defense, does not adequately credit good defense or spacing, and can be inflated by high usage. Advanced metrics like BPM (Box Plus/Minus) or RAPTOR are considered more balanced.
What is the NBA average PER?
By definition, the league average PER is set at 15.0 each season. This means any player above 15 is above average, and any player below 15 is below average.
How accurate is the Player Efficiency (EFF) Calculator?
The tool applies the standard formula exactly, so the result is only as accurate as the figures you enter. Double check your inputs, since a wrong number going in gives a wrong number coming out.
Is the Player Efficiency (EFF) Calculator free to use?
Yes. Every tool on GamersZone is free, with no account and no limit on how many times you calculate. The maths runs in your browser, so the numbers you enter are never sent to a server or stored.
How we calculate this
This tool applies the standard formula shown above. The calculation runs entirely in your browser, so the figures you enter are never stored.