The same price can be written four ways. Here is how to read decimal, fractional, American and Hong Kong odds, and how to turn any of them into a probability.
Every bookmaker price says the same two things: how much you get back if you win and how likely the bookmaker thinks the outcome is. What changes from site to site is the way the number is written. These are the four formats you will meet.
Decimal odds
Decimal is the standard in Europe, Australia and most online bookmakers. The number is what you get back including your stake for each 1 staked. A price of 2.50 returns 2.50 for every 1: 1.50 profit plus the stake. A 10 stake returns 25.
Fractional odds
Fractional odds are common in the UK and Ireland. A price of 3/2 ("three-to-two") means you win 3 for each 2 you stake. The fraction shows the profit only. To get the decimal price, divide and add 1: 3/2 is 1.5 + 1 = 2.50. "Evens" is 1/1, or 2.00.
American (moneyline) odds
American odds use a plus or a minus sign.
- +150 means a 100 stake wins 150. Decimal is 1 + 150 / 100 = 2.50.
- -200 means you must stake 200 to win 100. Decimal is 1 + 100 / 200 = 1.50.
Hong Kong odds
Hong Kong odds show the profit only as a decimal, so they are the decimal price minus 1. A Hong Kong price of 1.50 is 2.50 in decimal. This is how Asian handicap and totals prices are traditionally written, and it is the format we use for handicap and over/under tips on this site. A price of 0.90 on a handicap means a 1 stake wins 0.90, which is 1.90 in decimal.
Conversion table
| Decimal | Fractional | American | Hong Kong | Implied chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.50 | 1/2 | -200 | 0.50 | 66.7% |
| 1.80 | 4/5 | -125 | 0.80 | 55.6% |
| 2.00 | 1/1 | +100 | 1.00 | 50.0% |
| 2.50 | 3/2 | +150 | 1.50 | 40.0% |
| 3.00 | 2/1 | +200 | 2.00 | 33.3% |
From a price to a probability
The implied chance of a decimal price is 1 divided by the price. At 2.50 that is 1 / 2.50 = 40%. A price is a statement of probability plus a margin: the more the bookmaker adds, the lower the real chance behind each price. We cover this in implied probability and value.
Common mistakes
- Mixing formats. Comparing a Hong Kong 0.90 with a decimal 1.90 as if they were different prices. They are the same.
- Forgetting the stake. A decimal price includes your stake in the return, a fractional or Hong Kong price does not.
- Thinking a short price is safe. A price of 1.20 implies about 83%. If the real chance is 75%, it is a bad bet however likely the outcome feels.
When you read the prices on our tips, check the market: handicap and over/under are quoted Hong Kong style, while 1X2 and both teams to score are decimal. The markets themselves are explained in football betting markets explained.
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