Fractional Odds Explained

How to Calculate Fractional Odds

Fractional odds, also known as UK odds, are most often used in the United Kingdom and Ireland. They are extremely simple to calculate because well, they are given in fraction form. The denominator (second number to the right) is the amount bet and the numerator (first number on the left) is the amount you stand to win.

Let’s say you bet on Liverpool to beat Newcastle United at fractional odds of 10/15.

For every $150 bet, your potential net profit would be $100. If you win, your original stake is also returned to you, leaving you with $250 ($150 stake + $100 profit) and a net of result of plus $100.

• Liverpool to win (10/15): $150 to win $100 = $250 return

Let’s look at betting on an underdog or high odds bet, where the odds are more in your favor. Say you join a new betting site and bet on Newcastle United, the underdog at fractional odds of 5/1.

If you were to bet $100, your potential return would be $600 ($100 stake + $500 profit).

• Newcastle United to win (5/1): $100 to win $500 = $600 return

Fractional odds can also be attached to a point spread:

• New York Giants -7 (10/11)
• Philadelphia Eagles +7 (10/11)

The juice or commission on each bet here is fractional odds of 10/11, so you would need to bet $110 to win $100.

Converting Fractional Odds to Decimal Odds

An easy way to convert fractional odds to decimal odds is to convert the fraction into decimal form and then add a 1.

For example, 5/1 in fractional odds would be 6.00 in decimal odds.

• 5 / 1 = 5 + 1 = 6.00

Here is a conversion when you are betting on a large favorite:

• 1 / 5 = 0.2 + 1 = 1.2

Final Thoughts on Fractional Odds

Understanding fractional odds is especially important to UK bettors, but even those not normally using these odds can benefit from understanding them.

Used by the world’s largest bookmakers, there is no doubt fractional odds are one of the preferred odds for sports bettors across the world.