Arbitrage Calculator
Calculate guaranteed profit from arbitrage opportunities. Enter the odds from two sportsbooks to see your exact stake distribution and guaranteed profit.
Arbitrage Calculator Inputs
Understanding each input field helps you use the Arbitrage Calculator correctly and avoid costly mistakes.
Total Stake
What it is: The combined amount you plan to bet across both sportsbooks.
Why it matters: The Arbitrage Calculator splits this optimally between both outcomes. A larger total stake generates more absolute profit from the same percentage opportunity. A $1,000 stake at 3% arb generates $30; a $5,000 stake generates $150.
Impact of changing it: Increasing your total stake proportionally increases your guaranteed profit. The arb percentage stays the same; only the dollar amount changes. Start with a stake you are comfortable with and scale up as you gain confidence.
Odds Format
What it is: The format your sportsbooks display odds in. American (+150, -110) or Decimal (2.50, 1.91).
Why it matters: Using the wrong format produces incorrect calculations. US sportsbooks (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM) use American odds. European and Australian books use decimal odds.
Impact of changing it: Switching formats does not change the calculation, only how you enter the numbers. +150 American equals 2.50 decimal. -110 American equals 1.909 decimal.
Outcome A Odds (Sportsbook 1)
What it is: The odds offered by your first sportsbook for one side of the market (e.g., Team A to win).
Why it matters: Higher odds on Outcome A mean a larger stake is allocated to Outcome B, and vice versa. The Arbitrage Calculator uses these odds to determine the implied probability and optimal stake split.
Impact of changing it: Increasing Outcome A odds (e.g., from +120 to +150) increases the implied probability gap and may create or improve an arbitrage opportunity. Even small changes in odds can flip a market from no-arb to arb.
Outcome B Odds (Sportsbook 2)
What it is: The odds offered by your second sportsbook for the opposing outcome (e.g., Team B to win).
Why it matters: This must be from a different sportsbook than Outcome A. The arbitrage opportunity exists because these two sportsbooks disagree on the true probability. The Arbitrage Calculator checks if their combined implied probability is below 100%.
Impact of changing it: Increasing Outcome B odds improves the arbitrage percentage. The best arbitrage opportunities occur when both sportsbooks are offering above-fair odds on their respective sides, creating a combined implied probability well below 100%.
Arbitrage Calculator Outputs
Each output field from the Arbitrage Calculator tells you something specific about the opportunity.
Arb % (Arbitrage Percentage)
What it is: The guaranteed profit as a percentage of your total stake.
Why it matters: This is the headline number. A 3% arb on $1,000 = $30 guaranteed profit. A 5% arb on $1,000 = $50. Use this to quickly assess whether an opportunity is worth pursuing.
What to look for: 1-2% is typical. 3-5% is excellent. Above 5% may indicate a pricing error (palpable error risk). Below 1% may not be worth the execution risk.
Guaranteed Profit
What it is: The exact dollar amount you will profit regardless of which outcome wins.
Why it matters: This is your actual take-home amount. It accounts for your total stake and shows the net profit after all bets are settled.
What to look for: Verify this covers your time and any transaction costs (withdrawal fees, currency conversion). A $5 profit on a $1,000 stake may not be worth the effort.
Stake on A and Stake on B
What it is: The exact amounts to bet on each outcome at each sportsbook.
Why it matters: Betting the wrong amounts eliminates the guaranteed profit. The Arbitrage Calculator calculates these precisely based on the implied probabilities. Round to the nearest dollar for practical execution.
What to look for: Verify both sportsbooks will accept these stake sizes. Some books have maximum bet limits that may prevent you from placing the full calculated stake.
Payout if A wins / Payout if B wins
What it is: The total amount returned (stake + profit) if each outcome wins.
Why it matters: In a correctly calculated arbitrage, both payouts should be equal (or very close). If they differ significantly, check your odds entry for errors.
What to look for: Small differences (a few cents) are normal due to rounding. Large differences indicate a calculation error or that the opportunity is not a true arbitrage.
Arbitrage Calculator Guide
What is Arbitrage Betting?
Arbitrage betting exploits odds differences between sportsbooks. When two sportsbooks disagree enough on the probability of an event, you can bet on all outcomes simultaneously and guarantee profit regardless of the result. The Arbitrage Calculator identifies and quantifies these opportunities.
The mathematical condition for arbitrage: the combined implied probability of all outcomes must be below 100%. Normal markets have combined implied probabilities of 104-108% (the sportsbook's margin). When two books disagree enough, this drops below 100%, creating a guaranteed profit window.
How to Use the Arbitrage Calculator Step by Step
- Find a potential opportunity. Use an arbitrage scanner (BetBurger, OddsJam) or manually compare odds across sportsbooks. Look for markets where one book offers significantly higher odds on one side than another book offers on the other side.
- Enter your total stake. Decide how much you want to bet in total across both sportsbooks. The Arbitrage Calculator will split this optimally.
- Select your odds format. Choose American or Decimal based on how your sportsbooks display odds.
- Enter Outcome A odds. Enter the odds from Sportsbook 1 for the first outcome (e.g., Team A to win at +150).
- Enter Outcome B odds. Enter the odds from Sportsbook 2 for the opposing outcome (e.g., Team B to win at -120).
- Read the results. If the Arbitrage Calculator shows a positive Arb %, you have a genuine opportunity. Note the exact Stake on A and Stake on B amounts.
- Place both bets quickly. Open both sportsbooks simultaneously. Place the bet at the more volatile book first, then immediately place the hedge at the more stable book.
Execution Best Practices
The Arbitrage Calculator gives you the math. Execution determines whether you capture the profit:
- Speed: Arbitrage windows close within minutes. Have both sportsbooks open before placing either bet.
- Hard side first: Place the bet at the book offering the unusual odds first. This is the side most likely to move.
- Verify limits: Confirm both books will accept your calculated stake sizes before placing either bet.
- Round stakes: Round to the nearest $5 or $10 to avoid looking like an algorithmic bettor. You lose a few cents of profit but extend account longevity.
Odds Combinations to Try in the Arbitrage Calculator
Use these example combinations to understand how different odds affect the arbitrage percentage:
| Outcome A | Outcome B | Arb % | Profit on $1,000 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +150 | -130 | 3.74% | $37.40 | Excellent |
| +120 | -115 | 1.82% | $18.20 | Good |
| +110 | -105 | 1.19% | $11.90 | Marginal |
| +200 | -150 | 6.67% | $66.70 | Check for errors |
| +105 | -110 | -0.24% | No arb | No opportunity |
| +130 | -120 | 2.17% | $21.70 | Good |
Notice how small changes in odds create large differences in arbitrage percentage. The difference between +120/-115 (1.82% arb) and +110/-105 (1.19% arb) is just 10 points on each side, but the profit difference on $1,000 is $6.30.
Arbitrage Betting and Why Use a Calculator
Why Manual Calculation Is Not Enough
Arbitrage calculations involve converting odds to implied probabilities, checking the combined probability, then calculating proportional stakes for equal payouts. Done manually, this takes 2-3 minutes and is prone to errors. The Arbitrage Calculator does this instantly and accurately.
A stake calculation error of even 5% can eliminate your guaranteed profit. If you should bet $490 on Outcome A but bet $520, your "guaranteed" profit becomes a potential loss if Outcome A wins. The Arbitrage Calculator eliminates this risk.
When to Use the Arbitrage Calculator
- When an arbitrage scanner alerts you to an opportunity, use the calculator to verify and get exact stakes
- When manually comparing odds across sportsbooks and spotting a potential discrepancy
- When evaluating whether an opportunity meets your minimum profit threshold before placing bets
- When learning arbitrage betting to understand how different odds combinations affect profit
Arbitrage Calculator vs. Arbitrage Scanner
An Arbitrage Calculator (like this one) calculates stakes and profit for a specific opportunity you have already found. An Arbitrage Scanner (like BetBurger or OddsJam) automatically monitors hundreds of sportsbooks and alerts you when opportunities appear. Most serious arbitrage bettors use both: a scanner to find opportunities and a calculator to verify and execute them.
Arbitrage Calculator Questions and Answers
What is an Arbitrage Calculator?
An Arbitrage Calculator is a free tool that determines the exact stake amounts to place on each outcome of a bet across different sportsbooks to guarantee a profit regardless of the result. You enter the odds from two sportsbooks and your total stake, and the calculator instantly shows your guaranteed profit, stake distribution, and arbitrage percentage.
How does the Arbitrage Calculator work?
The Arbitrage Calculator converts your odds to implied probabilities, checks if the combined probability is below 100% (the arbitrage condition), then calculates the optimal stake for each outcome to equalize profit. It outputs your guaranteed profit, individual stakes, and the arbitrage percentage.
What is a good arbitrage percentage in the Arbitrage Calculator?
Most arbitrage opportunities range from 1-5% profit. Anything above 3% is excellent. Below 1% may not be worth the effort after accounting for potential execution errors. The Arbitrage Calculator shows you the exact percentage so you can decide if the opportunity is worth pursuing.
What does the Total Stake field mean in the Arbitrage Calculator?
Total Stake is the combined amount you plan to bet across both sportsbooks. The Arbitrage Calculator splits this optimally between Outcome A and Outcome B to guarantee equal profit regardless of which side wins. For example, a $1,000 total stake might be split $490 on one side and $510 on the other.
What does Outcome A Odds mean in the Arbitrage Calculator?
Outcome A Odds is the odds offered by Sportsbook 1 for the first possible outcome (e.g., Team A winning). Enter these in American format (+150, -110) or decimal format (2.50, 1.91). The Arbitrage Calculator uses this to determine how much to stake on this side.
What does Outcome B Odds mean in the Arbitrage Calculator?
Outcome B Odds is the odds offered by Sportsbook 2 for the opposing outcome (e.g., Team B winning). This must be from a different sportsbook than Outcome A. The Arbitrage Calculator compares both odds to find if a guaranteed profit opportunity exists.
What does Arb % mean in the Arbitrage Calculator output?
Arb % (Arbitrage Percentage) is the guaranteed profit as a percentage of your total stake. A 3% arb on $1,000 means $30 guaranteed profit. The Arbitrage Calculator shows this as a positive number when an opportunity exists and a negative number when no arbitrage is present.
What does Guaranteed Profit mean in the Arbitrage Calculator?
Guaranteed Profit is the exact dollar amount you will profit regardless of which outcome wins. The Arbitrage Calculator calculates this by finding the stake distribution that produces equal payout on both sides, then subtracting your total stake from that payout.
What does Stake on A and Stake on B mean in the Arbitrage Calculator?
Stake on A and Stake on B are the exact amounts to bet on each outcome. The Arbitrage Calculator calculates these proportionally based on the implied probabilities of each outcome. Betting these exact amounts guarantees equal profit on both sides.
What does Payout if A wins and Payout if B wins mean?
These are the total amounts returned (stake + profit) if each outcome wins. In a correctly calculated arbitrage, both payouts should be equal (or very close). The Arbitrage Calculator shows both so you can verify the opportunity before placing bets.
Can I use the Arbitrage Calculator for three-way markets?
This Arbitrage Calculator is designed for two-outcome markets (moneylines, spreads). For three-way markets (soccer with draw option), you need a three-way arbitrage calculator. The principle is the same: all three implied probabilities must sum to less than 100%.
What odds format should I use in the Arbitrage Calculator?
The Arbitrage Calculator supports both American odds (+150, -110) and decimal odds (2.50, 1.91). Select your preferred format from the dropdown. American odds are standard in the US; decimal odds are standard in Europe and Australia.
Why does the Arbitrage Calculator show No Arb Found?
No Arb Found means the combined implied probability of both outcomes exceeds 100%, so no guaranteed profit exists. This is the normal state for most markets. The Arbitrage Calculator only shows a positive result when the sportsbooks disagree enough to create a genuine opportunity.
How accurate is the Arbitrage Calculator?
The Arbitrage Calculator is mathematically precise. However, real-world execution introduces risks: odds may change between placing both bets, sportsbooks may reject your bet, or one side may be voided. Always verify odds are still available before placing both sides.
What is the minimum arbitrage percentage worth pursuing?
Most experienced arbitrage bettors target 1.5% minimum. Below 1%, the risk of execution errors (one side moving before you place the other) can eliminate the profit. The Arbitrage Calculator helps you quickly assess whether an opportunity meets your minimum threshold.
How do I find arbitrage opportunities to use with this calculator?
Arbitrage opportunities are found using dedicated scanning tools like BetBurger, OddsJam, or RebelBetting. These tools monitor 50-200+ sportsbooks in real-time and alert you when the combined implied probability drops below 100%. You then use the Arbitrage Calculator to verify and calculate exact stakes.
Can I use the Arbitrage Calculator for live betting?
Yes, but live arbitrage requires extremely fast execution. Odds change in seconds during live games. Use the Arbitrage Calculator to quickly verify the opportunity and calculate stakes, then place both bets as fast as possible. Live arbs typically offer higher percentages but carry more execution risk.
What happens if one side of my arbitrage bet is voided?
If one side is voided, you are left with an unhedged position on the other side. This is the main risk of arbitrage. To minimize void risk, avoid markets where one sportsbook has aggressive void policies, and avoid odds that look like obvious pricing errors (palpable errors).
How much money do I need to start using the Arbitrage Calculator profitably?
You need enough to fund accounts at multiple sportsbooks. A practical minimum is $2,000-3,000 split across 5+ sportsbooks. The Arbitrage Calculator works with any stake size, but larger stakes generate more absolute profit from the same percentage opportunity.
Is arbitrage betting legal?
Yes. Arbitrage betting is completely legal. You are placing standard bets at licensed sportsbooks using publicly available odds. Sportsbooks may limit accounts that consistently win through arbitrage, but this is a business decision, not a legal issue. The Arbitrage Calculator helps you identify and execute these legal opportunities.