How to Read Betting Odds

Odds Formats Explained

Betting odds can be displayed in three main formats. oddstatus supports all three and lets you switch between them with one click.

Decimal Odds

Decimal odds show your total return per $1 staked. For example, 2.50 means a $1 bet returns $2.50 (including your $1 stake), for a profit of $1.50. This is the default format on oddstatus and the most common globally.

American Odds

American odds use + and - signs. +150 means a $100 bet returns $150 in profit. -180 means you must bet $180 to win $100 in profit. Positive = underdog, negative = favorite.

Fractional Odds

Fractional odds show the ratio of profit to stake. 3/2 means you win $3 for every $2 staked. Common in the UK and Ireland.

Conversion Formula

• Decimal to American: If decimal ≥ 2.00, American = (decimal - 1) × 100. If decimal < 2.00, American = -100 ÷ (decimal - 1).
• American to Decimal: If American > 0, decimal = (American ÷ 100) + 1. If American < 0, decimal = (100 ÷ |American|) + 1.
• Decimal to Fractional: (decimal - 1) expressed as a fraction, e.g., 3.50 = 5/2.

Implied Probability

Every set of odds implies a probability. Decimal odds of 2.00 imply a 50% chance (1 ÷ 2.00 = 0.50). The lower the implied probability vs your estimated probability, the better the value.