Basketball PER Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the basketball per calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Formulas Used

Simplified PER

simple_per = points + 1.2 * rebounds + 1.5 * assists + steals * 2 + blocks * 2 - turnovers - missed_fg * 0.5

Positive Contributions

positive_contributions = points + 1.2 * rebounds + 1.5 * assists + steals * 2 + blocks * 2

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
pointsPoints per Game20
reboundsRebounds per Game8
assistsAssists per Game5
stealsSteals per Game1.5
blocksBlocks per Game1
turnoversTurnovers per Game3
missed_fgMissed FG per Game8

How It Works

Simplified Player Efficiency Rating

PER is a per-minute rating of a basketball player's statistical production. This simplified version captures the core concept.

Simplified Formula

PER = Points + 1.2 x Rebounds + 1.5 x Assists + 2 x Steals + 2 x Blocks - Turnovers - 0.5 x Missed FG

The official PER (created by John Hollinger) uses pace-adjusted per-minute stats with more complex weighting. Average PER in the NBA is set to 15.0 by definition. An MVP-caliber player typically rates 27+.

Worked Example

A player averaging 20 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 1.5 stl, 1.0 blk, 3 TO, 8 missed FG.

points = 20rebounds = 8assists = 5steals = 1.5blocks = 1turnovers = 3missed_fg = 8
  1. 01Positive = 20 + 1.2(8) + 1.5(5) + 2(1.5) + 2(1) = 20 + 9.6 + 7.5 + 3 + 2 = 42.1
  2. 02Negative = 3 + 0.5(8) = 3 + 4 = 7
  3. 03PER = 42.1 - 7 = 35.1

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Basketball PER Calculator