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 * 0.5Positive Contributions
positive_contributions = points + 1.2 * rebounds + 1.5 * assists + steals * 2 + blocks * 2Variables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
points | Points per Game | 20 |
rebounds | Rebounds per Game | 8 |
assists | Assists per Game | 5 |
steals | Steals per Game | 1.5 |
blocks | Blocks per Game | 1 |
turnovers | Turnovers per Game | 3 |
missed_fg | Missed FG per Game | 8 |
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.
- 01Positive = 20 + 1.2(8) + 1.5(5) + 2(1.5) + 2(1) = 20 + 9.6 + 7.5 + 3 + 2 = 42.1
- 02Negative = 3 + 0.5(8) = 3 + 4 = 7
- 03PER = 42.1 - 7 = 35.1
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good PER?
Official NBA PER: 15 is average, 20+ is All-Star caliber, 25+ is MVP candidate, 30+ is historically dominant. This simplified version uses different scaling.
Does PER account for defense?
PER captures steals and blocks but misses most defensive contributions like positioning, contests, and team defense. It is primarily an offensive metric.
Why are assists weighted more than rebounds?
Assists directly lead to a made basket (2-3 points) and represent a more impactful play than an average rebound, which is why they receive a higher coefficient.
Ready to run the numbers?
Open Basketball PER Calculator