Free tool
Margin calculator
Enter the odds for every outcome in a market to see the bookmaker's margin, the fair odds without it, and whether combining bookmakers creates an arbitrage.
| Outcome | Odds | Implied % | Fair odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 2.10 | 47.62% | 2.22 |
| Draw | 3.40 | 29.41% | 3.59 |
| Away | 3.50 | 28.57% | 3.70 |
- Bookmaker margin
- 5.60%
- Payout (return to player)
- 94.69%
Want the background? Read our guide: bookmaker margin explained.
Frequently asked questions
How is bookmaker margin calculated?
Add up 1 ÷ odds for every outcome and subtract 1. For odds of 2.10, 3.40 and 3.50: 0.476 + 0.294 + 0.286 = 1.056, so the margin is 5.6%.
What is a good margin?
On major football 1X2 markets, sharp bookmakers run margins of 2–5%, while many retail bookmakers sit between 5% and 9%. Lower is better for you.
What is an arbitrage bet?
If the best odds from different bookmakers sum to an implied total below 100%, staking on every outcome guarantees a small profit. These opportunities are rare and short-lived, and bookmakers may restrict arbitrage players.