Pace Factor Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the pace factor calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

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Formulas Used

Pace (per 48 min)

pace = round(possessions / game_minutes * 48 * 10) / 10

Total Possessions

possessions_display = round(possessions * 10) / 10

Seconds per Possession

seconds_per_poss = round(game_minutes * 60 / possessions * 10) / 10

Possessions per Minute

pts_per_poss_equiv = round(possessions / game_minutes * 100) / 100

Variables

Variable	Description	Default
`fga`	Field Goal Attempts	88
`fta`	Free Throw Attempts	24
`orb`	Offensive Rebounds	10
`tov`	Turnovers	14
`game_minutes`	Game Minutes(min)	48
`possessions`	Derived value`= fga + 0.44 * fta - orb + tov`	calculated

How It Works

How Pace Factor Is Calculated

Formula

Possessions = FGA + 0.44 x FTA - ORB + TOV

Pace = Possessions x 48 / Game Minutes

The 0.44 coefficient for free throws estimates that roughly 44% of free throws end a possession (and-ones and technical free throws do not).

NBA Context

NBA pace has ranged from about 90 to 105 possessions per 48 minutes in the modern era. Higher pace means more possessions and typically higher scoring.

Worked Example

88 FGA, 24 FTA, 10 ORB, 14 TOV in a 48-minute game.

fga = 88fta = 24orb = 10tov = 14game_minutes = 48

01Possessions = 88 + 0.44 * 24 - 10 + 14 = 88 + 10.56 - 10 + 14 = 102.6
02Pace = 102.6 * 48 / 48 = 102.6 per 48 minutes
03Seconds per possession = 48 * 60 / 102.6 = 28.1 seconds

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