^[1] A box score is a structured summary of the results from a sport competition. The box score lists the game score as well as individual and team achievements in the game.

Among the sports in which box scores are common are baseball, basketball, American football, volleyball and hockey.

The box score data is derived from a statistics sheet and is then summarized into a table of counts or averages. This is used to help determine the relationship between elements, and in sports, certain percentages often help define the success of a team. This information is then correlated to a player, or a team where it is read to obtain a general idea of how the game was played or how the player performed during the game, a season, or their career.^[2]

Prominent baseball journalist Henry Chadwick is credited with creating the modern baseball box score in 1859.^[3] In addition to the creation of the Chadwick box score, Chadwick also coined the baseball term "strike-out." The first game with the box score implemented was in 1859, featuring the Brooklyn Excelsiors versus the Brooklyn Stars, with the Brooklyn Stars being the victor.^[4]

In baseball, the box score indicates the runs scored in each inning, as well as the runs and hits scored by each team and errors charged to each team during the game. A baseball box score includes so much more than just runs, hits, and errors charged to teams. Teams' lineups are shared through box score, as well as an array of other statistics: Hits, at-bats, runs, RBIs (runs batted in), strikeouts, walks, batting average, pitching stats (e.g., innings pitched, earned runs, strikeouts).

In the sport of basketball, the box score is used to summarize/average the data of Games played (GP), Games started (GS), Minutes Played (MIN or MPG), Field-goals made (FGM), Field-goals attempted (FGA), Field-goal percentage (FG%), 3-pointers made (3PM), 3-pointers attempted (3PA), 3-point field goal (3P%), Free throws made (FTM), Free throws attempted (FTA), Free throw percentage (FT%), Offensive Rebounds (OREB), Defensive Rebounds (DREB), Total rebounds (REB), Assists (AST), Turnovers (TOV), Steals (STL), Blocked shots (BLK), Personal fouls (PF), Points scored (PTS), and Plus/Minus for Player efficiency (+/-).^[5] Advanced analytics has led to the creation of an advanced NBA box scores for both teams and players. Advanced team NBA box scores have been displaying advanced statistics such as: Assist to turnover ratio (AST/TO), True shooting percentage (TS%), Offensive Rating (OFFRTG), and Defensive Rating (DEFRTG) since the 1996-1997 NBA Season.^[6]

In volleyball, a box score is used as a statistical scoring summary of the match. The starting six players of each respective team, with the visiting team listed first, is listed on the left side of the box score. This is followed by players that substituted into the match below the starting six. A volleyball box score summarizes the Games played (GP), Kills (K), Errors (E), Total attempts (TA), Hitting percentage (PCT), Assists (A), Service ace (SA), Service error (SE), Reception error (RE), Dig (DIG), Block solo (BS), Block assist (BA), Blocking error (BE), Ball handling errors (BHE), and Total team blocks.^[7]

In American football, various box score statistics are used to illustrate both team and individual performances. A football box score is divided into the following categories: passing statistics, rushing statistics, receiving statistics, yards from scrimmage statistics, return statistics, kicking statistics, punting statistics, and defensive statistics.^[8]