What Is a Field Goal in Basketball? 2‑Point, 3‑Point Shots and FG% Explained

A field goal in basketball is any basket scored during live play, excluding free throws, and it is worth either two or three points depending on where the shot is taken. This guide explains what counts as a field goal, how many points it’s worth, common shot types, key statistics, and important rules in an easy, beginner‑friendly way.

What Is a Field Goal in Basketball?

A field goal is any basket scored on a shot or tap other than a free throw while the ball is in live play. The shot can be taken from anywhere on the court as long as the player is inbounds and releases the ball before the shot clock expires.

Infographic about what is field goal in basketball

Field goals are the main way teams score in basketball and include everything from layups and dunks to long three‑pointers. Free throws do not count as field goals because they are awarded after certain fouls and are always worth one point.

How Many Points Is a Field Goal Worth?

The number of points depends on where the shooter is standing when they release the ball.

Inside the three‑point line: the field goal is worth two points.
Behind the three‑point line: the field goal is worth three points if both feet are completely behind the arc at the time of the shot.
Foot on the line: if the shooter’s foot is on the three‑point line, it only counts as a two‑point field goal.

Some basketball formats use different scoring systems.

FIBA 3×3 and many informal half‑court games: shots inside the arc are often worth one point, and shots behind the arc are worth two points.
BIG3 league: certain long‑distance shots from special zones are worth four points.

Types of Field Goals

Field goals can be grouped into close‑range shots near the basket and perimeter shots farther from the hoop.

Close‑Range Field Goals (Usually 2 Points)

These shots are taken inside the three‑point line, often near the paint.

Layup: a shot taken close to the basket, usually off the backboard, where the player gently places the ball in the hoop.
Dunk: a powerful shot where the player jumps and forcefully puts the ball directly through the rim with one or both hands.
Floater: a soft, high‑arching shot used by smaller players to shoot over taller defenders near the basket.
Hook shot: a one‑handed shot where the shooter turns sideways and swings the arm in a hook motion to release the ball over a defender.

Perimeter Field Goals (2 or 3 Points)

Perimeter shots are taken farther from the hoop and include mid‑range and three‑point attempts.

Mid‑range jump shot: a jump shot taken inside the three‑point line but not directly at the rim.
Bank shot: a shot that intentionally bounces off the backboard before going into the basket.
Fadeaway jump shot: a jump shot where the shooter leans back while shooting to create space from the defender.
Three‑point jump shot: a shot taken with both feet behind the three‑point line; if it goes in, it counts for three points.

What Does NOT Count as a Field Goal?

Certain plays do not count as field goals even if the ball goes through the basket.

Free throws: always recorded separately as free throws made and attempted, not as field goals.
Baskets scored after the whistle: if the referee has already stopped play before the shot, the basket usually does not count as a field goal.
Cancelled baskets because of a violation: if goaltending, basket interference, or an offensive foul is called first, the shot can be waved off.

What Happens After a Made Field Goal?

When Team A makes a field goal, Team B immediately has a chance to inbound the ball from the baseline behind the basket.

A player from Team B steps out of bounds on the baseline, receives the ball, and throws an inbound pass to a teammate, often the point guard.
Team B can then push the ball quickly in transition for a fast break or slow down and run a half‑court offensive play.

This quick change from offense to defense and back is one of the main reasons basketball is such a fast game.Understanding how often teams score field goals also depends on game length, timeouts, and pace, which we break down in our guide on how long a basketball game is.

What Happens After a Missed Field Goal?

If a field goal attempt misses, both teams try to secure the rebound.

Offensive rebound: Team A gets the ball back and may score “second‑chance points” on another field goal attempt.
Defensive rebound: Team B takes the ball and can push it in transition or set up a half‑court offense.

Rebounding after missed field goals is a major factor in controlling the pace of the game and creating extra scoring opportunities.

Field Goal Violations: Goaltending and Basket Interference

Some rule violations can affect whether a field goal counts or not.

Goaltending

Goaltending occurs when a defender illegally touches a shot that has a chance to score while it is on its way down, above the rim, or after it has hit the backboard above the rim.

In the NBA, if a defender commits goaltending on a field goal attempt, the offensive team is awarded the points as if the shot went in (two or three points).

Basket Interference

Basket interference generally happens when a player touches the ball or the basket while the ball is on or within the imaginary cylinder above the rim.

Touching the ball while it is sitting on the rim, or grabbing the rim in a way that makes the ball drop unnaturally, can be basket interference.

Under FIBA rules, once the ball touches the rim and bounces upward, offensive or defensive players may legally tap it, which is slightly different from NBA rules. Not every mistake relates to the shot itself—ball‑handling violations like a carry in basketball can stop a field goal attempt before it even happens.

Field Goal Statistics: FGM, FGA, FG%

Field goal stats show how well and how often a player or team scores from the field.

Stat	Abbreviation	What it shows
Field Goals Made	FGM	Number of field goals successfully scored.
Field Goals Attempted	FGA	Number of field goal shots taken, whether made or missed.
Field Goal Percentage	FG%	Shooting efficiency: how many shots go in out of attempts.

Field Goals Made (FGM)

Field Goals Made is the total number of successful field goals a player or team scores in a game or over a season. It includes both two‑point and three‑point baskets.

Field Goals Attempted (FGA)

Field Goals Attempted counts every shot a player takes from the field, regardless of whether it goes in. It includes layups, jump shots, dunks, and three‑pointers but does not include free throws.

Field Goal Percentage (FG%)

Field goal percentage measures how efficient a shooter is. The basic formula is:

FG% = (Field Goals Made / Field Goals Attempted) ×100

For example, if a player makes 15 field goals out of 30 attempts, their FG% is 50 percent. Higher percentages usually indicate better shot selection and finishing, especially near the basket.

What Is a Good Field Goal Percentage?

What counts as a “good” field goal percentage depends on the level of play and a player’s position.

In professional and top college basketball, many guards and wings shoot roughly in the low to mid‑40 percent range from the field.
Big men who take more shots near the rim often have higher percentages, sometimes over 55 percent or more.
In high school or youth basketball, averages can be lower because players are still developing their skills.

In general, shooting 50 percent or better from the field is considered very efficient for most players, especially when taking a mix of inside and outside shots.

Good footwork and traction play a big role in your field goal percentage, especially on stops and pull‑up jumpers. Take a look at the best basketball shoes for traction to stay stable on every shot.

True Shooting Percentage (TS%)

True Shooting Percentage is an advanced shooting stat that includes field goals, three‑pointers, and free throws in one number. It is useful because it factors in how often a player gets to the free‑throw line and the extra value of three‑point shots.

A common formula for TS% is:

TS% = (Total Points Scored / 2×(FGA+0.44×FTA)) × 100

Here, FGA is field goals attempted and FTA is free throws attempted. Players who score efficiently from three and draw many fouls often have very high true shooting percentages.

Famous Field Goals in Basketball

Field goals are also used to track all‑time scoring achievements.

Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar held the NBA record for total field goals made for many years, reflecting his long‑term scoring consistency.
Players like Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal are known for extremely high field goal percentages because they scored many of their points near the basket.

Iconic game‑winning shots, such as buzzer‑beaters in the playoffs or championship games, are all field goals and often become some of the most remembered plays in basketball history.Many field goals are created by great passes from teammates, which show up in the box score as an assist in basketball.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Yes, a layup is a field goal because it is a basket scored during live play and is not a free throw.

Yes, a dunk is a type of field goal and usually counts for two points since it is taken close to the basket inside the three‑point line.

Yes, any made three‑point shot from behind the three‑point line is a three‑point field goal.

The term comes from early basketball, when the court was sometimes called the “field of play,” and a basket was considered a goal scored from the field.

No, free throws are recorded separately and are always worth one point, so they are not field goals.

If the shot goes in and the foul is on the defense, the field goal usually counts and the shooter may get an extra free throw (an “and‑one”). If the foul is on the offense before the shot, the basket is often wiped out.

In standard rules, no; in normal 5‑on‑5 basketball a field goal is only worth two or three points. However, special leagues like the BIG3 can award four points for shots from marked long‑range spots.

Basketball players usually jump as they shoot to make it more difficult for defenders to block the shot. While free throws don’t have defenders, there’s no need to jump and create unnecessary complexity.

The field goal is an indication of a player’s skill level. More skillful players will have a higher percentage of field goals. Moreover, the field is known as the court in basketball terms; that’s why it is called a field goal.

Final Words

Field goals are the core of basketball scoring, from simple layups to deep three‑pointers, and understanding them makes every game easier to follow and more fun to watch.

By knowing what counts as a field goal, how many points each shot is worth, the role of key stats like FGM, FGA, FG%, and TS%, and how rules such as goaltending or basket interference affect the score, you can better judge a player’s efficiency and impact on the court.

What Is a Field Goal in Basketball? 2‑Point, 3‑Point Shots and FG% Explained

What Is a Field Goal in Basketball?

How Many Points Is a Field Goal Worth?

Types of Field Goals