This calculator uses the unadjusted PER (uPER) linear weights derived by John Hollinger. True PER requires adjustment for team pace and normalization to the league average (15.0).
Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is a single-number basketball statistic developed to measure a player's per-minute productivity. It attempts to boil down all of a player's contributions—points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and more—into one unified rating.
The beauty of PER is its standardization. It is pace-adjusted (accounting for the speed of the game) and per-minute (levelling the playing field between starters and reserves). This allows analysts to compare a player who plays 30 minutes in a slow-paced game with one who plays 15 minutes in a fast-paced game on equal footing.
The "Per-Minute" Philosophy
Standard box score stats like "Points Per Game" (PPG) are flawed comparisons because they favor players who play more minutes. PER asks a different question: "How productive are you when you are actually on the court?"
Typical PER values run from 0 to 35+. The league average is always set to 15.00 every season, making it easy to see if a player is above or below average.
The History of PER
PER was developed by John Hollinger, a former NBA analyst and Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Memphis Grizzlies. Before PER, basketball analysis heavily relied on raw counting stats.
Hollinger introduced the metric in the early 2000s while writing for ESPN. His goal was to create a rating that summarized a player's statistical accomplishments without the noise of playing time or team pace variables.
It revolutionized NBA front offices, shifting focus toward efficiency. Teams began undervaluing high-volume, low-efficiency scorers and overvaluing efficient per-minute producers who just needed more playing time (the "hidden gems").
The Formula Breakdown
The full PER calculation is notoriously complex, but understanding the logic is simple. It works like a ledger of assets and liabilities:
Positive Contributions (Assets)
Field Goals Made (FGM): The base of scoring.
3-Pointers Made (3PM): Given a bonus because they are worth more.
Free Throws Made (FTM): Scoring efficiency.
Assists: Creating offense for others.
Rebounds: Gaining possession. Offensive rebounds are weighted more heavily than defensive.
Blocks & Steals: Defensive plays that gain possession or stop scoring.
Negative Contributions (Liabilities)
Missed Field Goals (FGA - FGM): Wasting a possession.
Turnovers (TO): Losing possession without a shot. This is heavily penalized.
Fouls (PF): Giving the opponent advantages.
The formula sums these weighted values and then divides by minutes played. Finally, it adjusts for team pace (to stop players on fast teams from having inflated stats just because they have more possessions) and normalizes the league average to 15.
PER Benchmarks: What is a Good Rating?
Because PER is normalized to a league average of 15.0, it provides a very clear tier system for player evaluation:
PER Range
Player Category
Description
35.0+
All-Time Great
Historical season (e.g., Wilt Chamberlain, Giannis Antetokounmpo peak).
30.0 - 35.0
Runaway MVP
Undisputed best player in the league for that season.
25.0 - 30.0
Strong MVP Candidate
Superstar level performance.
20.0 - 25.0
All-Star
The definition of an elite player or franchise cornerstone.
16.5 - 20.0
Solid Starter
2nd or 3rd option on a good team.
15.0
League Average
A capable rotation player.
13.0 - 15.0
Rotation Player
Bench player; contributes in spots.
< 11.0
Replacement Level
End of bench; generally losing their roster spot.
Limitations of PER
While powerful, PER is not perfect. Critics point out several flaws that users must be aware of:
1. Defense is Undervalued
PER relies on box score stats (Steals and Blocks) to measure defense. However, good defense is often about positioning, contesting shots, and preventing passes—things that don't show up in the box score. An elite defender like Bruce Bowen or Shane Battier often had low PERs despite high value.
2. Volume Scoring Bias
The formula weights Field Goals Made heavily. A player who shoots frequently with slightly below-average efficiency can still have a high PER because the value of a made shot outweighs the penalty of a missed shot in the formula (to a point). This rewards high-usage "gunners."
3. Pace Adjustment Complexity
True PER requires league-wide pace data. The calculator above provides an "Unadjusted PER" (uPER) estimate. Without the league context, it's a great approximation relative to itself, but comparing it directly to official NBA historical PERs requires caution.
Strategies to Improve PER
For players wanting to boost their rating, the math reveals the path:
Stop Turning the Ball Over
Turnovers are the biggest PER killer. A turnover is a wasted possession with zero chance of scoring. Reducing turnovers instantly boosts PER significantly.
Hunt High-Value Shots (3s and FTs)
PER rewards 3-pointers and Free Throws differently. Hitting a 3-pointer is worth more than a 2-pointer, obviously, but drawing fouls and hitting free throws is also a highly efficient way to score without using field goal attempts (if you miss the shot while fouled).
Crash the Boards
Rebounds are pure positive equity in the PER formula. Even weak-side defensive rebounds add up over time.
Real-World Examples
Case Study A: The Efficient Superstar (Nikola Jokic)
Nikola Jokic consistently records the highest PERs in history (30+). Why? He scores with high efficiency (high FG%), gets massive rebounds, and dishes elite assists, all while having relatively low turnovers for his usage rate. He fills every positive column.
Case Study B: The Volume Scorer
Consider a player who scores 25 PPG but shoots 40% from the field and has 5 turnovers. Their PER might hover around 18-20 (Good/Star territory) but will never reach MVP levels (25+) because the missed shots and turnovers drag down the "efficiency" part of the equation, despite the high point total.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PER and its calculation
Who has the highest PER of all time?
For a single season, Nikola Jokic (2021-22) set the record with a PER of roughly 32.85, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Michael Jordan and LeBron James also have multiple seasons with PER above 31.
Does PER account for minutes played?
Yes. PER is a per-minute statistic. It divides productivity by minutes played. This means a player who plays 10 minutes and gets 5 points/5 rebounds will have a similar PER to someone who plays 40 minutes and gets 20 points/20 rebounds, assuming efficiency remains constant.
Why is the league average always 15.0?
This is by design. At the end of every season, the entire league's PER calculation is normalized so that the average equals 15. This allows for cross-era comparison. A PER of 25 in 1990 is just as dominant as a PER of 25 in 2024.
Can PER be negative?
Yes, though it's rare. A player who plays minutes but records only turnovers, fouls, and missed shots (with no positive stats) will have a negative PER.
Is PER better than Plus/Minus (+/-)?
They measure different things. PER measures individual box-score productivity. Plus/Minus measures team performance while a player is on the floor. PER is better for isolating individual skill, while Plus/Minus is better for understanding team impact and lineups.
How do I interpret my uPER from this calculator?
The uPER (Unadjusted PER) output by this calculator assumes an average league pace. If you are playing in a very fast-paced league (lots of possessions), your uPER might be naturally higher. If playing in a slow defensive league, it might be lower.
Usage of this Calculator
Who Should Use This?
Fantasy Basketball ManagersIdentify undervalued players who produce well in limited minutes ("sleepers").
Coaches & ScoutsEvaluate player efficiency beyond simple point totals.
PlayersTrack your own "efficiency rating" game-by-game to focus on reducing mistakes.
AnalystsCompare players across different teams and roles on an equal footing.
Summary
The Basketball Player Efficiency Rating (PER) Calculator provides a sophisticated estimate of a player's per-minute productivity.
By accounting for positive contributions (scoring, playmaking, defense) and penalizing negative ones (misses, turnovers, fouls), it delivers a single number that encapsulates overall offensive impact, helping to identify true efficiency at any level of the game.
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Calculate player efficiency rating (PER) to measure per-minute performance across all statistical categories.
How to use Basketball Player Efficiency Rating Calculator
Step-by-step guide to using the Basketball Player Efficiency Rating Calculator:
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Frequently asked questions
How do I use the Basketball Player Efficiency Rating Calculator?
Simply enter your values in the input fields and the calculator will automatically compute the results. The Basketball Player Efficiency Rating Calculator is designed to be user-friendly and provide instant calculations.
Is the Basketball Player Efficiency Rating Calculator free to use?
Yes, the Basketball Player Efficiency Rating Calculator is completely free to use. No registration or payment is required.
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Yes, the Basketball Player Efficiency Rating Calculator is fully responsive and works perfectly on mobile phones, tablets, and desktop computers.
Are the results from Basketball Player Efficiency Rating 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.