OddsEdgeHow to read football odds: decimal, fractional and American
4 min read
Odds look different depending on where you are, but they all say the same two things: how much you win, and how likely the price thinks the outcome is. Here is how to read every format.
Decimal odds (Europe)
Decimal odds show the total return per 1 unit staked, including your stake. At 2.50, a €10 bet returns €25: €15 profit plus your €10 back.
- Profit = stake × (odds − 1)
- Implied probability = 1 ÷ odds. So 2.50 implies 40%.
Decimal odds are the easiest to compare and calculate with, which is why OddsEdge uses them everywhere.
Fractional odds (UK)
Fractional odds show profit relative to stake. At 3/2 you win 3 for every 2 staked. To convert to decimal: decimal = 1 + numerator ÷ denominator.
| Fractional | Decimal | Implied probability |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | 1.50 | 66.7% |
| Evens (1/1) | 2.00 | 50.0% |
| 6/4 | 2.50 | 40.0% |
| 5/2 | 3.50 | 28.6% |
American odds (moneyline)
American odds use a plus or minus sign around a base of 100:
- Positive (+250): profit on a 100 stake. Decimal = 1 + 250 ÷ 100 = 3.50.
- Negative (−200): stake needed to win 100. Decimal = 1 + 100 ÷ 200 = 1.50.
From odds to probability
Whatever the format, convert to decimal and use 1 ÷ odds. Add up the implied probabilities of all outcomes in a market and you will get more than 100%. The extra is the margin built into the prices, explained in How to calculate fair odds.
Reading odds the way a value bettor does
The question is never just "how much can I win?" but "is this price higher than the real chance justifies?". A price of 2.50 is good value if the real chance is 45%, and poor value if it is 35%. That comparison is what value betting is about.
Key takeaways
- Decimal odds = total return per unit staked. Profit = stake × (odds − 1).
- Fractional: decimal = 1 + a/b. American: +A → 1 + A/100, −A → 1 + 100/A.
- Implied probability = 1 ÷ decimal odds.