Decimal odds (also called European odds) are the standard format in most of the world and at many exchanges. Even if your sportsbook shows American odds, learning decimal odds makes almost every betting calculation simpler.
How decimal odds work
The decimal number is the total return per $1 staked, including your stake.
- Decimal 2.50: a $100 bet returns $250 ($150 profit + $100 stake)
- Decimal 1.80: a $100 bet returns $180 ($80 profit)
- Decimal 4.00: a $100 bet returns $400 ($300 profit)
Profit = stake × (decimal − 1).
Why they are easier
Three common calculations become one-liners:
| Calculation | With decimal odds |
|---|---|
| Implied probability | 1 ÷ decimal |
| Expected value per $1 | win probability × decimal − 1 |
| Parlay odds | multiply the decimals together |
Compare that to American odds, where every formula needs a separate case for plus and minus prices. That is why most betting tools, including the EV calculator and parlay calculator, work in decimal under the hood.
Converting decimal to American
- Decimal ≥ 2.00: American = (decimal − 1) × 100. Example: 2.75 → +175
- Decimal < 2.00: American = −100 ÷ (decimal − 1). Example: 1.60 → −167
And back again:
- +175 → 1 + 175/100 = 2.75
- −167 → 1 + 100/167 = 1.60
Use the odds converter for anything awkward. (American odds explained.)
Decimal odds and implied probability
Implied probability is simply 1 divided by the decimal price:
- 2.00 → 50%
- 1.50 → 66.7%
- 3.00 → 33.3%
Add the implied probabilities of every outcome in a market and you get the book's overround. A two-way market at 1.91 / 1.91 sums to 104.7%; the extra 4.7% is the margin. (What is vig?.)
Worked example: EV in decimal
A book offers 2.30 on an underdog. The fair probability from sharp markets is 46%.
- Edge = 0.46 × 2.30 − 1 = +5.8%
No sign flipping, no special cases. That simplicity is why sharp bettors think in decimal.
Common decimal prices
| Decimal | American | Implied |
|---|---|---|
| 1.25 | −400 | 80.0% |
| 1.50 | −200 | 66.7% |
| 1.909 | −110 | 52.4% |
| 2.00 | +100 | 50.0% |
| 2.50 | +150 | 40.0% |
| 3.00 | +200 | 33.3% |
| 5.00 | +400 | 20.0% |
| 11.00 | +1000 | 9.1% |
Can I switch my sportsbook to decimal?
Many US sportsbooks let you switch odds format in account or app settings. If yours does, try it for a week: you will start to see value and margins more naturally.
Frequently asked questions
What does 1.5 mean in decimal odds?
A $1 bet returns $1.50 in total, so $0.50 is profit. It equals −200 in American odds and implies a 66.7% chance.
How do I calculate winnings with decimal odds?
Multiply your stake by the decimal odds for the total return, then subtract the stake for the profit.
Are decimal odds better than American odds?
They express the same price. Decimal odds are simply easier for calculating probability, EV and parlays.