Understanding Football Betting Odds Formats: Decimal, Fractional, and American
Introduction to Football Betting Odds
Football betting odds are the foundation of every bet. They tell you two important things: how much you can win from a bet, and how likely the bookmaker thinks an outcome is. If you want to bet on football, it’s essential to understand how odds work and how to read them. Odds come in different formats, and each format presents the same information in a different way.
In this guide, you will learn:
– What football betting odds are
– The three main odds formats: decimal, fractional, and American
– How to read and convert between these formats
– Practical examples for each format
– Tips for choosing the best odds format for you
What Are Football Betting Odds?
Odds are numbers that show you:
1. Potential Winnings: How much money you will get if your bet wins.
2. Implied Probability: How likely the bookmaker thinks an event will happen.
For example, if a team is a strong favorite, the odds will be low, meaning you win less money for the same bet. If a team is an underdog, the odds will be higher, and you can win more.
The Three Main Odds Formats
There are three main ways bookmakers display football betting odds:
1. Decimal Odds (e.g., 2.50)
2. Fractional Odds (e.g., 3/1)
3. American Odds (e.g., +200 or -150)
Let’s look at each one in detail.
Decimal Odds Explained
What Are Decimal Odds?
Decimal odds are popular in Europe, Canada, Australia, and many other parts of the world. They are simple to use and easy to understand.
A decimal odd shows you the total amount you will receive if you win, including your original stake.
How to Read Decimal Odds
The number you see is the amount you get back for every $1 (or £1, €1, etc.) you bet.
Example:
If the odds are 2.50 and you bet $10, your total return is $10 × 2.50 = $25.
This includes your original $10 stake, so your profit is $15.
How to Calculate Your Winnings
Total Return = Stake × Decimal Odds
Profit = Total Return – Stake
Example:
You bet $20 on odds of 1.80.
Total Return = $20 × 1.80 = $36
Profit = $36 – $20 = $16
Why Use Decimal Odds?
– Simple to calculate
– Easy to compare different bets
– Shows your total return, not just profit
Fractional Odds Explained
What Are Fractional Odds?
Fractional odds are traditional in the UK and Ireland. They show your potential profit compared to your stake, written as a fraction (like 5/1 or 10/11).
How to Read Fractional Odds
The first number (numerator) is how much you win. The second number (denominator) is how much you need to bet.
Example:
Odds of 5/1 (“five to one”): For every $1 you bet, you win $5 profit.
If you bet $10, you win $50 profit (plus your $10 back).
Odds of 2/5 (“two to five”): For every $5 you bet, you win $2 profit.
How to Calculate Your Winnings
Profit = Stake × (Numerator / Denominator)
Total Return = Profit + Stake
Example:
You bet $15 on 7/2 odds.
Profit = $15 × (7 ÷ 2) = $15 × 3.5 = $52.50
Total Return = $52.50 + $15 = $67.50
Why Use Fractional Odds?
– Popular in the UK and Ireland
– Makes it easy to see profit vs. stake
– Useful for traditional bettors
American Odds Explained
What Are American Odds?
American odds (also called “moneyline odds”) are common in the United States. They use positive (+) and negative (-) numbers.
– Positive odds (e.g., +200) show how much profit you make on a $100 bet.
– Negative odds (e.g., -150) show how much you need to bet to make $100 profit.
How to Read American Odds
Positive Odds Example:
+250 means you win $250 profit for every $100 bet.
Negative Odds Example:
-120 means you need to bet $120 to win $100 profit.
How to Calculate Your Winnings
For Positive Odds (+):
Profit = Stake × (Odds / 100)
Total Return = Stake + Profit
Example:
You bet $40 on +150.
Profit = $40 × (150 ÷ 100) = $40 × 1.5 = $60
Total Return = $40 + $60 = $100
For Negative Odds (-):
Profit = Stake ÷ (|Odds| / 100)
Total Return = Stake + Profit
Example:
You bet $60 on -200.
Profit = $60 ÷ (200 ÷ 100) = $60 ÷ 2 = $30
Total Return = $60 + $30 = $90
Why Use American Odds?
– Standard in the US
– Clearly shows favorites (negative) and underdogs (positive)
– Useful for American sports and markets
How to Convert Between Odds Formats
Sometimes you will see odds in a format you are not used to. Here’s how to convert between them:
Fractional to Decimal:
Decimal Odds = (Numerator ÷ Denominator) + 1
Example:
5/2 = (5 ÷ 2) + 1 = 2.5 + 1 = 3.5
Decimal to Fractional:
Fractional Odds = Decimal Odds – 1, then write as a fraction
Example:
Decimal 2.75 = 2.75 – 1 = 1.75 = 7/4
Decimal to American:
If Decimal Odds ≥ 2.00:
American Odds = (Decimal Odds – 1) × 100
If Decimal Odds < 2.00:
American Odds = -100 ÷ (Decimal Odds – 1)
Example:
Decimal 2.50 = (2.50 – 1) × 100 = 1.5 × 100 = +150
Decimal 1.80 = -100 ÷ (1.80 – 1) = -100 ÷ 0.8 = -125
American to Decimal:
If Positive: (American Odds ÷ 100) + 1
If Negative: (100 ÷ |American Odds|) + 1
Example:
+200 = (200 ÷ 100) + 1 = 2 + 1 = 3.00
-150 = (100 ÷ 150) + 1 = 0.6667 + 1 = 1.67
Practical Examples
Let’s say you want to bet $10 on a football team to win, and the odds are:
Decimal: 2.20
Fractional: 6/5
American: +120
Decimal:
Total Return = $10 × 2.20 = $22
Profit = $12
Fractional:
Profit = $10 × (6 ÷ 5) = $10 × 1.2 = $12
Total Return = $12 + $10 = $22
American:
Profit = $10 × (120 ÷ 100) = $10 × 1.2 = $12
Total Return = $10 + $12 = $22
All three formats give you the same potential winnings—they just show it differently.
Which Odds Format Should You Use?
Most online bookmakers let you choose your odds format in your account settings. Here’s some advice to help you decide:
– Choose decimal odds if you want a quick, clear view of your total return.
– Use fractional odds if you are familiar with UK betting or like to see profit vs. stake.
– Use American odds if you are betting in the US or on US-based sites.
Pick the format that feels easiest for you to understand and compare.
Tips for Beginners and Intermediate Bettors
1. Always check your odds format before betting.
This avoids confusion and mistakes.
2. Use online odds converters.
Many free tools let you switch between formats instantly.
3. Compare odds between bookmakers.
Even a small difference in odds can mean more profit.
4. Double-check your potential winnings.
Use the bookmaker’s bet slip or a calculator to confirm.
5. Learn to spot value.
If you understand odds, you can spot when a bookmaker’s price is higher than the true chance of an event.
Conclusion
Understanding football betting odds is essential for every bettor. Whether you prefer decimal, fractional, or American odds, all formats give you the same information—they just present it differently. By learning how to read and convert odds, you can make smarter bets, compare offers, and avoid costly mistakes.
Start by using the odds format that makes the most sense to you. Practice reading odds, calculating potential winnings, and comparing prices. With this knowledge, you’re well on your way to becoming a more confident and successful football bettor.