How many points is a basket worth?
B · Beginner · Scoring, time and winning · 1 of 9A free throw is worth 1 point, a basket from inside the three-point line 2 points and a basket from outside it 3 points. A goal counts when a live ball enters the basket from above and stays in or passes through. What matters for 2 or 3 is where the shooter's feet last touched the floor.
How it works
- 1 point: a free throw.
- 2 points: a shot released from the two-point area.
- 3 points: a shot released from the three-point area, the whole court outside the three-point line.
- The three-point line is not part of the three-point area, so a foot on the line makes it a two.
- A player in the air keeps the status of where they last touched the floor.
- The arc is 6.75 metres from the point under the centre of the basket.
- A goal counts if the ball was in the air on a shot when the game clock, shot clock or whistle sounded.
- A team scores in the opponents' basket. An accidental goal in a team's own basket counts 2 points for the opponents.
Tricky cases
The shooter jumped from behind the line and landed inside it. Two or three?
Three. A player in the air keeps the status of where they last touched the floor.
The shooter's toe was on the three-point line. Two or three?
Two. The line is not part of the three-point area.
A player scored in their own basket by accident. Does it count?
Yes. It is 2 points for the other team, recorded against the name of the opponents' captain on the court. A deliberate shot into a team's own basket is a violation and does not count.
The buzzer went while the shot was in the air. Does the basket count?
Yes, if the ball had left the shooter's hands before the signal.
Why the rule exists
The extra point rewards the harder long shot and spreads play away from the basket.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIBA rules | As above | A16; A2.5.4; A11.1 |
| Last 0.3 seconds | With 0.2 or 0.1 on the clock, only a tap or direct dunk can score | A16.2.5 |
| NBA and NCAA | Their own rules and line distances | Not covered |
From the rule book
FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026, Articles 2.5.4, 10.4, 11.1 and 16, valid from 1 October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIBA Official Basketball Rules (PDF).