Basketball Stat Abbreviations: A Guide for Scorekeepers

Learn PTS, FGM/FGA, REB, AST and other basketball stat abbreviations, with a worked scoring example and a free printable stat sheet.

Elevate: Basketball Stats

10/29/20261 min read

A box score becomes easier to use when you know what each column counts. Here is a practical key for volunteer coaches, assistants and parent scorekeepers, with an example you can check by hand.

Made shots and attempts

PTS means points. 2PM / 2PA count two-point baskets made and attempted; 3PM / 3PA count three-pointers made and attempted. FTM / FTA count free throws made and attempted. M means made; A means attempted. A successful shot belongs in both counts.

FGM / FGA combine two-point and three-point field goals. Free throws stay separate. FGM = 2PM + 3PM, and FGA = 2PA + 3PA. Do not count a three-pointer twice in FGM.

A scoring example

Imagine a player makes 4 of 7 two-pointers, 2 of 5 three-pointers and 3 of 4 free throws. Their points are (4 × 2) + (2 × 3) + 3 = 17.

They made 6 of 12 field goals, so FG% = 6 ÷ 12 × 100 = 50%. Their 3P% is 40%, and FT% is 75%. If attempts are zero, show a dash or “no attempts” instead of dividing by zero.

Other common box-score abbreviations

REB: rebounds. Some sheets split these into OREB / ORB for offensive rebounds and DREB / DRB for defensive rebounds. These categories make up total rebounds.

AST: assists. STL: steals. BLK: blocked shots. TO / TOV: turnovers. PF: personal fouls. MIN: playing time. Labels vary, so agree on a shared key before tip-off.

An assist is not automatic for every pass before a basket. A deflection is not automatically a steal. A block does not automatically give the blocker a rebound. Learn your competition’s definitions and apply them consistently. This beginner guide is not an official scoring manual. For formal FIBA competition, use the FIBA statistician resources and manual; otherwise follow your organizer’s guidance.

Three checks before sharing

  1. Made shots must not exceed attempts in any category.

  2. Recalculate points from two-pointers, three-pointers and free throws, then compare the team total with the final score.

  3. Keep two-point makes separate from total field-goal makes. Read the column labels before choosing a formula.

Try it at your next game

Practice with our free printable basketball stat sheet. For a game-day workflow, read how to keep basketball stats.

Prefer your phone or tablet? Try Elevate: Basketball Stats on iPhone or iPad. Start with the free plan; PDF sharing and other features may require an upgrade.