Save Percentage Calculator
Calculate save percentage with our free tool. See your stats, compare against averages, and track progress over time.
Reviewed by Sher, Sports Science & Nutrition Specialist
Formula
SV% = (Shots Against - Goals Against) / Shots Against
Save percentage equals saves divided by total shots faced. GSAA = Shots x (Goalie SV% - League Avg SV%), measuring total goals prevented above a league-average goaltender.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Single Game Save Percentage
Problem:A goaltender faces 38 shots and allows 2 goals in a game.
Solution:Saves = 38 - 2 = 36\nSV% = 36 / 38 = .947\nQuality Start threshold = .913\n.947 > .913, so this IS a quality start.\nThis is an excellent single-game performance.
Result:SV% = .947 (Excellent -- Quality Start)
Example 2: Season Save Percentage with GSAA
Problem:Season totals: 1,100 shots faced, 90 goals allowed, 40 games. League average SV% is .908.
Solution:Saves = 1100 - 90 = 1010\nSV% = 1010 / 1100 = .918\nExpected Goals (avg goalie) = 1100 x (1 - .908) = 101.2\nGSAA = 101.2 - 90 = 11.2 goals saved above average\nGAA = 90 / 40 = 2.25
Result:SV% = .918 (Excellent) | GSAA = +11.2 | GAA = 2.25
Frequently Asked Questions
What is save percentage in hockey?
Save percentage (SV%) is the primary statistical measure of goaltender performance in hockey, representing the proportion of shots on goal that a goalie successfully stops. It is calculated by dividing saves by total shots faced, expressed as a three-decimal number (like .920). For example, stopping 28 of 30 shots gives a .933 save percentage. Save percentage is widely preferred over goals against average (GAA) and wins because it better isolates individual goaltender performance from team defense and offensive support. Every major hockey league from the NHL to youth hockey tracks save percentage as the standard goaltending efficiency metric.
How do you calculate save percentage?
The save percentage formula is SV% = Saves / Shots Against, which can also be written as SV% = (Shots Against - Goals Against) / Shots Against. For a single game, if a goalie faces 35 shots and allows 2 goals, the calculation is (35 - 2) / 35 = 33 / 35 = .943. For season totals, you simply use cumulative shots and goals. The formula works identically whether calculating for one period, one game, or an entire season. Save percentage is always expressed as a decimal to three places in hockey, so .920 means the goalie stopped 92.0% of shots. This convention differs from other sports where percentages are shown as whole numbers.
What is a good save percentage at different levels of hockey?
Save percentage benchmarks vary by competition level. In the NHL, .920 or higher is excellent, .910 to .919 is above average, .900 to .909 is average, and below .900 is poor. In the AHL (minor league), standards are similar but slightly lower due to less consistent defensive support. In college hockey (NCAA), save percentages tend to be slightly lower because of wider talent gaps between teams. In youth hockey (bantam through junior), save percentages can range widely from .850 to .940 depending on the level and age group. International play (Olympics, World Championships) typically sees higher save percentages because teams play more structured defensive systems.
Why is save percentage better than wins for evaluating goalies?
Save percentage is superior to wins because it measures what the goaltender can actually control, which is stopping shots, rather than being dependent on how many goals the team scores. A goalie who posts a .945 save percentage but loses 1-0 in a shutout-worthy performance gets zero credit in the wins column. Meanwhile, a goalie who allows 5 goals can earn a win if the team scores 6. Research has consistently shown that goaltender win percentages correlate more strongly with team offensive quality than with goaltender save percentage. In other words, wins tell you more about the team in front of the goalie than about the goalie themselves.
References
Reviewed by Sher, Sports Science & Nutrition Specialist · Editorial policy