how far is the free throw line from the basket

The free throw line in basketball is precisely 15 feet (4.57 meters) from the center of the basket. This standard measurement applies across major leagues like the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, high school, and junior high levels, ensuring consistent gameplay worldwide.

Why This Distance Matters

Imagine stepping up to the line after a hard foul—those 15 feet feel like a pressure cooker, testing a player's focus under the roar of the crowd. It's measured from the back edge of the free throw line (which is 12 feet wide) to the basket's center, aligning perfectly with the backboard's plane, which sits 4 feet from the baseline. This setup creates the "key" or lane, typically 12-16 feet wide depending on the league, turning free throws into a clutch art form.

Variations Across Leagues

While 15 feet is the gold standard, slight tweaks exist:

• FIBA (international) : About 15.09 feet, a tiny but noticeable difference for global pros.

• Youth or casual courts : Sometimes adjusted shorter, but official play sticks to 15 feet.
  Forum chatter, like on Reddit, debates exact edges—some say the front of the line hits 14'10" to make the back precisely 15 feet to the rim center.

League/Level| Distance to Basket Center| Lane Width| Notes 37
---|---|---|---
NBA/WNBA/NCAA/High School| 15 feet (4.57 m)| 16 ft (NBA) / 12 ft (others)| Standard for pros and college
FIBA| 15.09 feet (4.6 m)| 16 ft| International standard
Junior High| 15 feet| 12 ft| Matches high school

Fun Facts and Practice Tips

• Physics angle : Players often arc shots at 45-55 degrees for a forgiving entry, as flat trajectories demand perfection (think 8 m/s release at 8 ft height).

• Legendary shooters : Steph Curry hovers near 91% career, while Shaq infamously clanged at 52%—proving mental game trumps the fixed distance.
• Backyard build? Mark 15 feet from your rim's center; the line spans 12 feet, centered on the basket.

TL;DR: 15 feet from the back of the line to the basket center—universal in most basketball.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.