<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (January 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> A three - point field goal (also called a three - pointer) is a field goal in a basketball game made from beyond the three - point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket . A successful attempt is worth three points, in contrast to the two points awarded for field goals made within the three - point line and the one point for each made free throw . </P> <P> The distance from the basket to the three - point line varies by competition level: in the National Basketball Association (NBA) the arc is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the basket; in FIBA and the WNBA (the latter uses FIBA's three - point line standard) the arc is 6.75 metres or 22 feet 1 ⁄ inches from the basket; and in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) the arc is 20 feet 9 inches (6.32 m) from the basket . In the NBA and FIBA / WNBA, the three - point line becomes parallel to each sideline at the points where the arc is 3 feet (0.91 m) from each sideline; as a result the distance from the basket gradually decreases to a minimum of 22 feet (6.71 m). In the NCAA the arc is continuous for 180 ° around the basket . There are more variations (see main article). </P> <P> In 3x3, a FIBA - sanctioned variant of the half - court 3 - on - 3 game, the "three - point" line exists, but shots from behind the line are only worth 2 points . All other shots are worth 1 point . </P>

The difference in the college 3 point line in nba