Basketball Player Efficiency Rating Calculator (Simple PER)
Estimate a player’s efficiency with the simple NBA efficiency (PER-style) box-score formula, as a total and per game.
How it works
EFF = (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK) − (FGA − FGM) − (FTA − FTM) − TOV · Per game = EFF ÷ games
This is the classic NBA "efficiency" box-score sum — the simple cousin of Hollinger’s full PER. It rewards the five positive counting stats and subtracts missed field goals, missed free throws and turnovers, so volume shooting on a poor percentage actually lowers the number. It is a quick, transparent way to compare all-around production, though it ignores pace, defense off the ball and shot difficulty.
Worked example
A 20-point night with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block on 8/16 shooting and 4/5 free throws with 2 turnovers: 20+8+5+2+1 = 36, minus 8 missed field goals, minus 1 missed free throw, minus 2 turnovers = 25 efficiency.
Sources: Efficiency (basketball) — Wikipedia
Frequently asked questions
Is this the real PER?
It is the simplified "efficiency" (EFF) formula, not John Hollinger’s full Player Efficiency Rating. Full PER pace-adjusts and league-normalizes every stat to a 15.0 average; this version is the raw box-score sum that the NBA itself publishes as EFF.
What is a good efficiency number?
For a single game, 20+ is a strong all-around performance and 30+ is exceptional. Over a season, the league’s best players average in the high 20s per game.
Why can a high scorer have a low rating?
Because every missed shot and turnover is subtracted. A player who scores 25 points on 10/28 shooting loses 18 points of efficiency to missed field goals alone, so shot selection matters as much as scoring.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.