Per Player Efficiency Rating Calculator
Our basketball calculator computes per player efficiency rating instantly. Get accurate stats with historical comparisons and benchmarks.
Formula
PER = (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK - FG missed - FT missed - TOV - PF) / MIN * 36
This is the simplified PER formula. The full Hollinger formula includes pace adjustments, league-average normalization, and different weights for each statistical category. The result is normalized so the league average equals 15.0 per 36 minutes.
Worked Examples
Example 1: All-Star Level Performance
Problem: Calculate PER for a player with 30 pts, 10-20 FG, 8-9 FT, 2 3PM, 2 ORB, 8 DRB, 7 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TOV, 2 PF in 38 minutes.
Solution: Raw PER = PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK - FG missed - FT missed - TOV - PF\n= 30 + 10 + 7 + 2 + 1 - 10 - 1 - 3 - 2 = 34\nPer minute = 34 / 38 = 0.895\nPer 36 = 0.895 * 36 = 32.2\nGame Score = 30 + 0.4(10) - 0.7(20) - 0.4(1) + 0.7(2) + 0.3(8) + 2 + 0.7(7) + 0.7(1) - 0.4(2) - 3\n= 30 + 4 - 14 - 0.4 + 1.4 + 2.4 + 2 + 4.9 + 0.7 - 0.8 - 3 = 27.2
Result: PER (per 36): 32.2 (MVP Caliber) | Game Score: 27.2 | TS%: 62.5%
Example 2: Average Starter Performance
Problem: Calculate PER for a player with 15 pts, 6-14 FG, 2-3 FT, 1 3PM, 1 ORB, 4 DRB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TOV, 3 PF in 32 minutes.
Solution: Raw PER = 15 + 5 + 3 + 1 + 0 - 8 - 1 - 2 - 3 = 10\nPer minute = 10 / 32 = 0.3125\nPer 36 = 0.3125 * 36 = 11.25\nGame Score = 15 + 0.4(6) - 0.7(14) - 0.4(1) + 0.7(1) + 0.3(4) + 1 + 0.7(3) + 0 - 0.4(3) - 2\n= 15 + 2.4 - 9.8 - 0.4 + 0.7 + 1.2 + 1 + 2.1 + 0 - 1.2 - 2 = 9.0
Result: PER (per 36): 11.3 (Rotation Player) | Game Score: 9.0 | TS%: 50.8%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and who created it?
Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is an advanced basketball statistic created by ESPN columnist John Hollinger that attempts to distill all of a player's contributions into a single number. It was designed to capture the net per-minute productivity of a player, taking into account positive contributions like scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and blocks, while penalizing negative actions like missed shots, turnovers, and fouls. The league average PER is set to 15.0 each season through a pace adjustment factor. PER was one of the first widely adopted all-in-one metrics in basketball analytics and remains popular despite some known limitations in how it values different types of contributions.
How is PER calculated and what statistics does it use?
The full PER calculation is quite complex, involving pace adjustments and league-average normalization. The simplified version sums positive contributions (points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks) and subtracts negative ones (missed field goals, missed free throws, turnovers, personal fouls). The result is divided by minutes played and normalized to a per-36-minute basis. The complete Hollinger formula weights each statistical category differently, applies team pace factors, and uses league averages for calibration. For example, assists are weighted at about two-thirds value, three-pointers get a bonus, and the formula accounts for the opportunity cost of shot attempts. The final result is scaled so the league average equals 15.0.
What are the benchmarks for different PER levels in the NBA?
PER values in the NBA follow a well-established scale for evaluating player quality. A PER above 30 is considered MVP-caliber performance, achieved by players like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Giannis Antetokounmpo in their best seasons. PER between 25 and 30 indicates All-Star level play. A range of 20 to 25 represents a strong starter or borderline All-Star. PER from 15 to 20 indicates an average to above-average player, with 15 being the league average by definition. PER from 11 to 15 suggests a below-average or bench player. Below 11 indicates a player performing at or near replacement level, typically getting limited minutes.
What are the main criticisms and limitations of the PER statistic?
PER has several well-known limitations that modern analysts acknowledge. It tends to overvalue volume scorers and players with high usage rates while undervaluing efficient role players and defensive specialists. The metric heavily rewards scoring and barely accounts for defensive contributions since steals and blocks are crude defensive measures. It penalizes missed shots but does not fully account for the value of creating shots for teammates. PER also struggles with players who contribute primarily through off-ball movement, screen-setting, or floor spacing. The pace adjustment can sometimes produce misleading results for players on unusually fast or slow teams. More modern metrics like Box Plus/Minus, RAPTOR, and EPM address many of these shortcomings.
What is True Shooting Percentage and how does it relate to scoring efficiency?
True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is an advanced efficiency metric that accounts for the different values of two-point field goals, three-point field goals, and free throws in a single measure. It is calculated as points divided by 2 times (field goal attempts plus 0.44 times free throw attempts). The 0.44 factor accounts for the fact that not all free throw attempts use a full possession (and-one plays, technical free throws, three-shot fouls). A league average TS% is typically around 56 to 57 percent. Elite scorers often achieve 60 percent or higher. TS% is generally considered superior to basic field goal percentage because it rewards players who get to the free throw line and hit three-pointers efficiently.
How do minutes played affect PER and player evaluation?
Minutes played significantly impact how PER should be interpreted. Since PER is a rate statistic (per-minute performance), players with very limited minutes can sometimes post artificially high or low PER values due to small sample sizes. A player who plays 5 excellent minutes can have a very high PER that does not reflect sustainable production over a full game. This is why analysts typically require a minimum minutes threshold (often 1000 to 1500 minutes per season) before drawing meaningful conclusions from PER. Additionally, per-36-minute projections assume a player could maintain their efficiency over more minutes, which is often not the case because fatigue, tougher defensive assignments, and increased usage typically reduce efficiency.