One Perfect ARC at a Time

How Basketball Shots Are Measured
Whether you're training to perfect your jumper or designing a basketball analytics system, understanding how shot distances are measured is critical. Surprisingly, not all basketball shots are measured the same way — some distances are calculated from the backboard, while others use the center of the rim.
Our Mission To empower players of all levels with a science-backed, intuitive shooting system that builds muscle memory, confidence, and game-ready results—one perfect arc at a time.
Here’s how it works

perfectARC™

Free Throw (Foul Shot)

Distance: 15 feet
Measured From: The front face of the backboard
Explanation:

This is the only shot on the court officially measured from the backboard. The foul line is painted 15 feet away from the plane of the backboard, not from the rim or baseline. Since the rim extends 18 inches from the backboard, the actual shooting distance to the front of the rim is 13 ft 6 in.

3-Point Line

Measured From: The center of the rim (not the backboard)
Distances by Level:
🏀 High School: 19 feet 9 inches (symmetrical arc)
🏀 College (NCAA): 22 feet 1¾ inches at the top, slightly shorter in the corners
🏀 NBA: 23 feet 9 inches at the top / 22 feet in the corners

Explanation:

The 3-point arc is measured as a radius from the center of the hoop, which is 10 feet high. In the NBA, due to court width limitations, the arc flattens into straight lines in the corners, creating the shorter “corner three.”

Mid-Range Shots (Estimated Zones)

Mid-range areas are based on floor location, not painted lines — so exact measurements vary. These are used as coaching and scouting terms:
Shot Type Measured From Why It Matters
Free Throw Front of Backboard Defines the foul line placement
All Other Shots Center of Rim Used for arcs, range analysis, training
Mid-range Zones Floor Landmarks Used for coaching, spacing, analytics

INTENAX

Habeo facete pri ei. Putent maluisset intellegam vixte vim prompta facilisi interesset te. An denique pro torquatos adipiscing pro, pro no odio modus. Mea malis summo ut. Ex ipsum dolore assueverit nec, facer imperdiet postea laoreet vulputate has. Beyond more stoic this along goodness hey this this wow manatee mongoose one as since flustered impressive manifest far crud opened inside owing punitively around
thomas henry
Interior Design Customer

INTENAX

Habeo facete pri ei. Putent maluisset intellegam vixte vim prompta facilisi interesset te. An denique pro torquatos adipiscing pro, pro no odio modus. Mea malis summo ut. Ex ipsum dolore assueverit nec, facer imperdiet postea laoreet vulputate has. Beyond more stoic this along goodness hey this this wow manatee mongoose one as since flustered impressive manifest far crud opened inside owing punitively around
thomas henry
Interior Design Customer

INTENAX

Habeo facete pri ei. Putent maluisset intellegam vixte vim prompta facilisi interesset te. An denique pro torquatos adipiscing pro, pro no odio modus. Mea malis summo ut. Ex ipsum dolore assueverit nec, facer imperdiet postea laoreet vulputate has. Beyond more stoic this along goodness hey this this wow manatee mongoose one as since flustered impressive manifest far crud opened inside owing punitively around
thomas henry
Interior Design Customer

INTENAX

Habeo facete pri ei. Putent maluisset intellegam vixte vim prompta facilisi interesset te. An denique pro torquatos adipiscing pro, pro no odio modus. Mea malis summo ut. Ex ipsum dolore assueverit nec, facer imperdiet postea laoreet vulputate has. Beyond more stoic this along goodness hey this this wow manatee mongoose one as since flustered impressive manifest far crud opened inside owing punitively around
thomas henry
Interior Design Customer

INTENAX

Habeo facete pri ei. Putent maluisset intellegam vixte vim prompta facilisi interesset te. An denique pro torquatos adipiscing pro, pro no odio modus. Mea malis summo ut. Ex ipsum dolore assueverit nec, facer imperdiet postea laoreet vulputate has. Beyond more stoic this along goodness hey this this wow manatee mongoose one as since flustered impressive manifest far crud opened inside owing punitively around
thomas henry
Interior Design Customer

INTENAX

Habeo facete pri ei. Putent maluisset intellegam vixte vim prompta facilisi interesset te. An denique pro torquatos adipiscing pro, pro no odio modus. Mea malis summo ut. Ex ipsum dolore assueverit nec, facer imperdiet postea laoreet vulputate has. Beyond more stoic this along goodness hey this this wow manatee mongoose one as since flustered impressive manifest far crud opened inside owing punitively around
thomas henry
Interior Design Customer