This widely accepted formula estimates the number of possessions a player or team used. By normalizing points to per-100 possessions, we can compare efficiency across different game speeds.
Mastering Offensive Efficiency: Beyond Points Per Game
In the modern era of basketball, raw scoring totals means little without context. Offensive efficiency—measuring how many points are produced per possession—is the true gold standard of performance analysis.
Offensive Efficiency, often referred to as Offensive Rating (ORtg), is a statistic that estimates the number of points a player or team produces per 100 possessions.
It essentially asks: "If we gave the ball to this team (or player) 100 times, how many points would they score?"
Individual vs. Team Efficiency
Team Offensive Rating: Measures the team's total points scored per 100 possessions. This is the primary metric for continuous team evaluation.
Individual Offensive Rating: Measures how efficiently an individual player produces points when they use a possession (shoot, get to the line, or turnover). This calculator focuses on this individual aspect.
Why "Per 100 Possessions"? (The Pace Problem)
Imagine two teams:
Team A: Scores 100 points in a fast-paced game with 110 possessions.
Team B: Scores 90 points in a slow, defensive grind with 85 possessions.
If you only look at "Points Per Game," Team A looks better (100 vs 90). However, Team A wasted many possessions. Calculated efficiently:
Team A Efficiency: (100 / 110) * 100 = 90.9 points per 100 (Poor) Team B Efficiency: (90 / 85) * 100 = 105.8 points per 100 (Good)
Team B is actually the more dangerous offensive team—they just play slower. Normalizing to 100 possessions strips away the "pace" bias and reveals the true quality of execution.
Breaking Down the Formula
The core calculation relies on estimating Possessions. Since official possession counts (from play-by-play data) aren't always available at amateur levels, we use a statistical estimate:
Possessions = FGA - ORB + TOV + (0.44 × FTA)
Here is why each component is included:
FGA (Field Goal Attempts): Usually ends a possession.
- ORB (Minus Offensive Rebounds): If you miss but get the rebound, the possession continues. Therefore, we subtract the rebound to avoid double-counting the possession when the next shot goes up.
+ TOV (Plus Turnovers): A turnover ends a possession with 0 points.
+ 0.44 × FTA: Technical factor for free throws.
Benchmarks: What is a Good Rating?
Efficiency standards change over time (today's NBA is far more efficient than the 90s due to the 3-point shot), but general rules apply:
Elite (115+)
The best offenses in NBA history operate at 115-120+. Players like Nikola Jokić or Steph Curry regularly exceed 120 individually.
Good (108-114)
A solid, playoff-caliber offense or an efficient starter. This is the target for most competitive teams.
Average (100-107)
League average fluctuates, but 100-105 is typically "average." You win games with defense if your offense is here.
Poor (Below 100)
Struggling to score. Often indicates too many turnovers or poor shooting percentages (eFG% below 50%).
Dean Oliver's Four Factors
Basketball pioneer Dean Oliver identified the "Four Factors" that contribute to winning offensive efficiency. If you want to improve your ORtg, focus on these (in order of importance):
1. Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) (40% Weight)
Shooting the ball into the hoop is the most important thing. eFG% accounts for the extra value of 3-pointers.
2. Turnover Percentage (TOV%) (25% Weight)
You can't score if you don't shoot. Turnovers are the deadliest efficiency killer because they produce 0 points and often lead to easy fast-break points for the opponent.
3. Offensive Rebounding Rate (ORB%) (20% Weight)
An offensive rebound gives you a "free" second chance. It's like resetting the possession without the opponent getting a turn.
4. Free Throw Rate (FTR) (15% Weight)
Getting to the line implies aggressive offense. Free throws are the most efficient shot in basketball (avg ~1.5 points per possession).
How to Improve Efficiency
Based on the factors above, here are concrete steps for players to improve their rating:
Eliminate the "Long 2": It is statistically the worst shot in basketball. Step back for a 3, or drive for a layup/foul.
Value the Ball: A fancy pass that leads to a turnover is worse than a simple pass that maintains possession.
Crash the Glass: Even guards can secure long rebounds. An extra possession is statistically as valuable as a steal.
Hunt Free Throws: Drive into contact. Force the defense to foul you. It slows the game down and provides "easy" points.
Conclusion
The Basketball Offensive Efficiency Calculator (ORtg) is the lens through which modern coaches view the game. It removes the illusion of speed and forces teams to confront the reality of their execution. Whether you are analyzing a single player's contribution or an entire team's system, Points Per 100 Possessions is the metric that matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about offensive efficiency stats
Does this calculator work for both teams and players?
Yes. The formula is identical. If you input a team's total stats (Team Points, Team FGA, etc.), you get the Team Offensive Rating. If you input a player's stats, you get their individual Offensive Rating for the possessions they used.
Why is Offensive Rating usually around 100?
It represents points per 100 possessions. Since a "good" possession yields about 1 point on average (e.g., 50% shooting on 2-pointers), the rating naturally hovers near 100. Ratings of 115+ are considered phenomenal because they imply scoring 1.15 points every time you touch the ball.
What is the difference between PER and Offensive Rating?
PER (Player Efficiency Rating) computes a single number summarizing all contributions (defense, rebounding, etc.) into a per-minute rating. Offensive Rating strictly measures scoring efficiency relative to possessions used. PER favors volume; ORtg favors efficiency.
Why do offensive rebounds subtract from possessions?
If you shoot, miss, get the rebound, and shoot again, that is conceptually one extended possession for your team, not two separate ones. Subtracting the rebound corrects the math so you aren't penalized for taking two shots in the same sequence.
How does the 3-point shot affect Offensive Rating?
Drastically. Shooting 40% from 3 yields 1.2 points per possession (120 ORtg), whereas shooting 50% from 2 yields 1.0 points per possession (100 ORtg). Modern teams hunt 3-pointers precisely because they are mathematically more efficient, raising league-average ORtg.
What is True Shooting (TS%) and how does it relate?
True Shooting Percentage measures shooting efficiency (accounting for 2s, 3s, and FTs). Offensive Rating measures possession efficiency (accounting for shooting AND turnovers). A player can have high TS% but a low ORtg if they commit many turnovers.
Can a player have a high ORtg but be a "bad" offensive player?
Yes, if their volume is very low. A player who only dunks the ball twice (4 points) in a game with no misses or turnovers has a massive ORtg but minimal impact. Context (Usage Rate) is always required to evaluate volume scorers vs. efficient specialists.
Is a 120 ORtg possible over a whole season?
Yes, for elite teams or players. The greatest offensive teams in NBA history (e.g., 2024 Celtics, 2021 Nets) have posted season-long team ratings exceeding 120. Individually, dominant centers and elite shooters often sustain 120+ ratings.
Why are turnovers weighted so heavily in efficiency?
A missed shot at least offers a chance for an offensive rebound (~25-30% probability). A turnover ends the possession immediately with a 0% chance of scoring and often guarantees the opponent an easy transition opportunity. Turnovers are the most damaging event in an offense.
Usage of this Calculator
Who Should Use This?
CoachesCompare lineup efficiencies. Does your bench unit score efficiently even if they score fewer points?
RecruitersIdentify undervalued players who don't score 20 PPG but are hyper-efficient with their touches.
Point GuardsUnderstand the value of a possession. Learn why a turnover is so costly.
Betting AnalystsPredict team totals by analyzing pace-adjusted efficiency trends rather than raw scores.
Summary
The Basketball Offensive Efficiency Calculator (ORtg) is the essential tool for pace-independent analysis.
By focusing on points produced per 100 possessions, it provides the most accurate measure of scoring quality available to coaches and players.
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Calculate offensive efficiency rating to measure points scored per 100 possessions.
How to use Basketball Offensive Efficiency Calculator
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Frequently asked questions
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Simply enter your values in the input fields and the calculator will automatically compute the results. The Basketball Offensive Efficiency Calculator is designed to be user-friendly and provide instant calculations.
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Are the results from Basketball Offensive Efficiency Calculator accurate?
Yes, our calculators use standard formulas and are regularly tested for accuracy. However, results should be used for informational purposes and not as a substitute for professional advice.