Three-Point Line Distance: NBA vs FIBA vs College
The three-point line is the arc beyond which a made shot is worth three points instead of two. Its distance from the basket is different in each league.
Distances by league
| League | Top of the arc | Corners |
|---|---|---|
| NBA | 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m) | 22 ft (6.71 m) |
| FIBA and WNBA | 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) | 6.60 m (21 ft 8 in) |
| NCAA men and women | 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) | 6.60 m (21 ft 8 in) |
All distances are measured from the centre of the basket to the outside edge of the line.
Why the corners are shorter
A full arc at 23 feet 9 inches would not fit inside the NBA court's width with room to stand. So the line runs straight along the sides near the baseline, at 22 feet. That makes the corner three the shortest three-point shot, and modern offences are designed to create it.
History of the three-pointer
- The American Basketball League tried it in 1961, and the ABA used it from 1967.
- The NBA adopted it in the 1979-80 season.
- FIBA introduced it in 1984, at 6.25 m, and moved it back to 6.75 m in 2010.
- NCAA men's basketball moved to the international distance in 2019-20, and women's college basketball in 2021-22.
The NBA briefly shortened its line to 22 feet all the way round from 1994 to 1997 to increase scoring, then moved it back.
Do feet on the line count?
If a shooter's foot is touching the line, the shot is worth two points. The shooter must be fully behind the line when they release the ball. Landing over the line afterwards does not matter.
The three-point revolution
Teams now take far more three-pointers than in the past, because a 36 percent three-point shooter scores as many points per shot as a 54 percent two-point shooter. Stephen Curry, who holds the NBA record for career three-pointers made, is the player most associated with this change.
See the full court layout in basketball court dimensions and basketball hoop height.