Save Percentage = (Saves Made / (Saves Made + Goals Conceded)) × 100
Calculates the proportion of shots on target that a goalkeeper successfully stops. A higher percentage indicates better shot-stopping ability. Note that (Saves + Goals) equals the total shots on target faced.
Save Percentage is a fundamental statistic used to evaluate a goalkeeper's performance. It represents the proportion of shots on target faced by a goalkeeper that they successfully prevent from becoming goals.
The Core of Shot Stopping
While goalkeeping involves distribution, cross claiming, and defense organization, shot-stopping remains the primary job. Save percentage offers a direct quantitative measure of this skill. It answers the simple question: "Of all the shots that would have gone in, how many did the keeper stop?"
A high save percentage indicates:
Superior reflexes and agility
Optimal positioning relative to the ball and goal
Strong hand-eye coordination
Effective decision-making in 1v1 situations
How to Calculate Save Percentage
The formula for save percentage is straightforward:
Save % = (Saves Made / Shots on Target Faced) × 100
Where Shots on Target Faced is the sum of Saves Made and Goals Conceded.
Example Calculation
Consider a goalkeeper in a season:
Saves Made: 90
Goals Conceded: 30
First, calculate total shots on target: 90 (saves) + 30 (goals) = 120 shots.
Then apply the formula:
Save % = (90 / 120) × 100 = 75%
Interpreting the Numbers: Elite vs. Average
Save percentages vary by league and season, but general benchmarks in professional football include:
Performance Tiers
75-80%+: World Class. Typically the top 5-10% of goalkeepers in major leagues (e.g., Alisson, Courtois, Oblak in their prime).
70-75%: Very Good. Solid starting goalkeepers for top-half teams.
65-70%: Average. Competent professional standard, though may indicate weakness against high-quality shots.
Below 65%: Below Average. Often seen in teams fighting relegation or keepers struggling with form.
Note: A save percentage above 80% over a full season is exceptionally rare and sustainable only by the absolute best.
Strategies to Improve Save Percentage
1. Positioning
Being in the right place reduces the need for spectacular diving saves. Narrowing the angle cuts down the target size for the striker.
2. Set Position
Being set (feet planted, balanced) before the shot is struck is crucial. It allows for explosive movement in any direction.
3. Hand Positioning
Keeping hands in a neutral, ready position allows for quicker reaction to shots, whether high, low, or wide.
4. Decision Making
Knowing when to come off the line to smother a shot versus staying back to react creates better saving opportunities.
Limitations of the Metric
While useful, raw save percentage can be misleading:
1. Shot Quality (xG)
It treats all shots equally. A 30-yard weak shot is counted the same as a point-blank save. A keeper facing many easy shots will have an inflated percentage compared to one facing difficult 1v1s.
2. Defensive Style
Teams that sit deep force opponents to shoot from distance (easier saves). Teams playing a high line concede fewer shots but typically higher quality (breakaways), which lowers save percentage.
3. Sample Size
In a single game or tournament, variance is high. A keeper might concede 1 goal from 2 shots (50%) but play well.
Advanced Analysis: Save % vs. PSxG
Modern analytics prefers Post-Shot Expected Goals (PSxG) minus Goals Allowed. This metric estimates how likely a specific shot (speed, placement, angle) is to go in.
If a keeper Saves more than the PSxG suggests, they are "overperforming" or adding value. If they concede more than PSxG, they are underperforming. However, standard Save Percentage remains the most accessible and widely understood metric for general comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about goalkeeper save percentage
What is a world-class save percentage?
In top European leagues, a save percentage consistently above 75-78% is considered world-class. Anything exceeding 80% over a full season is an exceptional, Ballon d'Or contender level performance (e.g., Alisson Becker in typical Liverpool seasons).
Does a low save percentage always mean a bad goalkeeper?
Not necessarily. If a team defends high up the pitch (like Manchester City or Bayern Munich), the goalkeeper faces very few shots, but they are often high-quality "big chances" (1v1s). This naturally lowers the percentage compared to a keeper facing many long-range shots.
Are penalty saves included?
Typically, general save percentage calculation excludes penalty kicks because the probability of scoring is so high (~76%). However, some general stats providers lump them in. It is best to look for "Non-Penalty Save Percentage" for a true reflection of open-play shot-stopping.
How does 'Clean Sheet Percentage' compare?
Clean sheets are a team stat; save percentage is an individual stat. A keeper can have a high save percentage but no clean sheets if their defense is porous. Conversely, a keeper can keep a clean sheet with 0 saves if the defense is dominant.
Who has the highest save percentage ever?
Records vary by league and era, but legendary seasons include Petr Cech (2004/05) with over 87% and Jan Oblak (2015/16) with similarly astronomical numbers. These seasons coincide with record-breaking low goals conceded.
What is PSxG+/- ?
Post-Shot Expected Goals minus Goals Allowed. A positive number means the goalkeeper saved more goals than the average keeper would be expected to save given the difficulty of shots faced. A negative number implies they let in 'saveable' goals.
Is distribution part of save percentage?
No. Save percentage strictly measures shot-stopping. Modern goalkeepers (like Ederson or Ter Stegen) are often valued highly for passing ability even if their save percentage is slightly lower than a pure shot-stopper.
How many games are needed for a reliable stat?
Analysts generally recommend a sample size of at least 15-20 games (or ~100 shots faced) to filter out short-term variance or "hot streaks."
Usage of this Calculator
Who Should Use This Calculator?
GoalkeepersTrack personal shot-stopping performance over a season or tournament.
Scouts & AnalystsCompare potential transfer targets against league benchmarks.
CoachesEvaluate defensive solidity and goalkeeper form objectively.
Fantasy Football ManagersIdentify keepers who make many saves (bonus points) vs those who just keep clean sheets.
Summary
The Football Save Percentage Calculator provides a critical insight into goalkeeping performance.
By accounting for saves made relative to shots faced, it offers a standardized measure of a goalkeeper's primary duty—keeping the ball out of the net. Use this tool alongside xG and clean sheet data for a complete defensive analysis.
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Calculate goalkeeper save percentage to measure shot-stopping ability and defensive reliability.
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Frequently asked questions
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Are the results from Football Save Percentage Calculator accurate?
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