{"id":6894,"date":"2026-10-23T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arenaplus.ph\/insider\/?p=6894"},"modified":"2026-10-23T16:39:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T08:39:35","slug":"basketball-scoring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arenaplus.ph\/insider\/basketball\/basketball-scoring\/","title":{"rendered":"How Basketball Scoring Works: A Simple Guide to Points"},"content":{"rendered":"

Basketball scoring<\/strong> is simple at its core. A free throw is worth 1 point, a basket inside the three-point arc is worth 2, and a basket from beyond it is worth 3.<\/span><\/p>\n

This guide explains each type of score, how free throws are awarded, when a basket counts, and how the PBA’s 4-point line changes the maths.<\/p>\n

How many points is a basket worth?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Under the international rules most leagues follow, basketball scoring gives each basket 1, 2 or 3 points. The value depends on whether it’s a free throw and where the shot was released (FIBA Official Basketball Rules, Art. 16<\/u><\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Score<\/strong><\/td>\nPoints<\/strong><\/td>\nHow it happens<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free throw<\/td>\n1<\/td>\nAn uncontested shot from the free-throw line, awarded after certain fouls<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Two-point field goal<\/td>\n2<\/td>\nAny basket from inside the three-point arc, including dunks and layups<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Three-point field goal<\/td>\n3<\/td>\nAny basket released from beyond the three-point arc<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Four-point field goal (PBA only)<\/td>\n4<\/td>\nA basket from beyond the PBA’s 27-foot line<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3×3 basket<\/td>\n1 or 2<\/td>\n1 point inside the arc, 2 points beyond it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Source: FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026, Art. 16.2.1; The Philippine Star<\/u><\/a>; FIBA 3×3 rules<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

[IMAGE: Half-court diagram shading the two-point area, three-point area and free-throw line, with point values labelled | Alt: “Basketball scoring zones: two-point area, three-point arc and free-throw line on a half court” | Rights: original graphic, no clearance needed]<\/em><\/p>\n

Two-pointers and three-pointers: where the line is<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The three-point line<\/strong> is the arc that separates 2-point shots from 3-point shots. Its distance from the basket depends on the league.<\/p>\n

Under FIBA rules, the arc sits 6.75 m from the point on the floor directly under the basket. Near the corners, the line runs straight, 0.90 m in from each sideline (FIBA, Art. 2.5.4<\/u><\/a>).<\/p>\n

On a 15 m wide court, that puts the corner three about 6.60 m from the basket. It’s the shortest three-pointer on the floor.<\/p>\n

In the NBA, the arc is 23 ft 9 in (about 7.24 m) from the middle of the basket (NBA Rule No. 1<\/u><\/a>). The NBA’s corner lines are also straight, 3 ft in from the sidelines.<\/p>\n

Is a shot on the line worth 2 or 3?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A shot with a foot on the line is worth 2 points. Under FIBA rules, the three-point line itself is not part of the three-point area, so the shooter must be fully behind it (FIBA, Art. 2.5.4<\/u><\/a>).<\/p>\n

How free throws work<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A free throw<\/strong> is a shot from the free-throw line with no defender contesting it. Each one made adds 1 point, and free throws are a big part of basketball scoring in close games.<\/p>\n

Free throws after a shooting foul<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The number of free throws depends on the shot that was fouled (FIBA, Art. 34<\/u><\/a>):<\/p>\n