Usage Rate Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the usage rate calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Usage Rate Calculator

Formulas Used

Usage Rate

usage_rate = round(player_usage * 1000) / 10

Player Possessions Used

player_possessions = round(fga + 0.44 * fta + tov)

Team Possessions

team_possessions = round(team_fga + 0.44 * team_fta + team_tov)

Usage Decimal

usage_display = round(player_usage * 1000) / 1000

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
fgaPlayer FGA20
ftaPlayer FTA8
tovPlayer Turnovers3
minutes_playedPlayer Minutes(min)36
team_minutesTeam Minutes(min)240
team_fgaTeam FGA88
team_ftaTeam FTA24
team_tovTeam Turnovers14
player_usageDerived value= (fga + 0.44 * fta + tov) * (team_minutes / 5) / (minutes_played * (team_fga + 0.44 * team_fta + team_tov))calculated

How It Works

How Usage Rate Is Calculated

Formula

USG% = (FGA + 0.44 x FTA + TOV) x (Team Minutes / 5) / (Player Minutes x Team Possessions)

Usage rate measures what percentage of team possessions a player "uses" (by shooting, getting fouled, or turning it over) while on the court.

Benchmarks

  • 20%: Average (5 players each using 20%)
  • 25-28%: High-usage scorer
  • 30%+: Primary option
  • 35%+: Extremely high usage (rare)

    • Worked Example

    Player: 20 FGA, 8 FTA, 3 TOV, 36 min. Team: 88 FGA, 24 FTA, 14 TOV, 240 min.

    fga = 20fta = 8tov = 3minutes_played = 36team_minutes = 240team_fga = 88team_fta = 24team_tov = 14
    1. 01Player possessions = 20 + 0.44 * 8 + 3 = 26.52
    2. 02Team possessions = 88 + 0.44 * 24 + 14 = 112.56
    3. 03USG% = 26.52 * (240/5) / (36 * 112.56)
    4. 04USG% = 26.52 * 48 / 4052.2 = 0.314 = 31.4%

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Usage Rate Calculator