Goalie Save Percentage Calculator — SV% & GAA
Save percentage (SV%) measures what fraction of shots on goal a goalie stops; Goals Against Average (GAA) shows how many goals are allowed per game. Together they give a complete picture of goaltender performance.
Elite level — NHL average is typically .910–.915
95%
save %Saves
95%
Goals against
5%
- 1
Saves = shots on goal − goals against
500 − 25 = 475 - 2
Save % = saves ÷ shots × 100
475 ÷ 500 × 100 = 95
How does this calculator work?
Save Percentage = Saves ÷ Shots on Goal; GAA = Goals Against ÷ Games Played; Saves = Shots − Goals Against. NHL average SV% is .910–.915; .920+ is elite. Enter shots faced, goals allowed and games played to calculate both metrics instantly.
Formula
How this is calculated
Save percentage is the primary stat for measuring goaltender efficiency. It is computed by dividing saves by shots on goal (where shots on goal equals saves plus goals against). A save percentage of .900 means the goalie stopped 90% of shots faced. In the NHL, the league average typically falls between .910 and .915 in modern seasons; a SV% of .920 or above is generally considered elite. The stat is expressed as a three-decimal value (e.g. .915) following the standard hockey convention.
Goals Against Average (GAA) measures how many goals are allowed per game on average. A lower GAA is better. The NHL average GAA is typically around 2.6–2.9; anything under 2.50 is considered very good at the professional level. GAA is influenced by team defence quality, shot volume and pace of play, making SV% a better measure of individual goaltender skill when shot quality data is unavailable.
Both statistics assume all shots on goal are of equal difficulty, which is a simplification. Advanced analytics such as Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) account for shot quality, location and traffic — but these require detailed play-by-play data beyond the scope of this calculator. The same SV% formula applies equally to soccer goalkeepers, though benchmarks differ (top-flight keepers typically save 65–75% of shots on target).
Frequently asked questions
In the NHL, the league average SV% is typically .910–.915. A SV% of .920 or above is considered elite; below .900 is generally below average at the professional level. For recreational or junior hockey, benchmarks vary significantly by level of play.
GAA = Goals Against / Games Played. It tells you the average number of goals a goalie allows per game. A lower GAA is better. NHL elite goalies typically post a GAA below 2.50; the league average is roughly 2.6–2.9 in recent seasons. GAA depends on team defence as well as the goalie.
Yes. The SV% formula is identical: saves ÷ shots on target. Soccer keeper benchmarks differ — top-flight goalkeepers typically achieve 65–75% save rates because soccer's shot-to-goal ratio is lower than in ice hockey. Enter a soccer keeper's saves and shots on target to get the equivalent metric.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Goalie Save Percentage Calculator — SV% & GAA [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/goalie-save-percentage-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Goalie Save Percentage Calculator — SV% & GAA." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/goalie-save-percentage-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Goalie Save Percentage Calculator — SV% & GAA," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/goalie-save-percentage-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_goalie_save_percentage_calculator, title = {Goalie Save Percentage Calculator — SV% & GAA}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/goalie-save-percentage-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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