Formats of Odds Explained – Decimal, Fractional & American 2025
- Asian odds refer to Asian handicap betting
- Fractional odds are common in the UK
- Odds display can be changed at all major UK books
Frank Monkhouse
Last updated 22 Oct 2025
Looking for betting odds formats explained in detail? You’ve come to the right place as Flashscore’s gambling experts show why there’s more to the odds than meets the eye.
Table of contents
- 1.How Betting Odds Work
- 2.Best Betting Sites with Multiple Odds Formats 2025
- 3.Decimal Odds (The European Standard)
- 4.Fractional Odds (The UK Standard)
- 5.American Odds (The US Standard)
- 6.The Asian Odds Confusion: Market vs. Format
- 7.Converting Between Odds Formats
- 8.Implied Probability and Value Betting
- 9.The Flashscore Advantage: Universal Data for Any Odds
- 10.Conclusion
How Betting Odds Work
You may see betting odds as little more than an indication of what you’ll win if your bet lands. But diving deeper gives you a clearer picture. Knowing the different types of betting odds and understanding how to read betting odds will help you spot overpriced selections, find value when gambling online, and boost your chances of making a profit from sports.
Most UK bettors are used to fractional odds – such as 10/1 – while other regions prefer to use decimal odds – like 11.0 – or American odds – +1100. Which is best? This guide explains each format with clear examples, ensuring you have a strong understanding of any odds you encounter today.
Best Betting Sites with Multiple Odds Formats 2025
Paddy Power is trusted by millions of sports fans across the United Kingdom, with members enjoying competition-smashing odds on football, horse racing...
Betfair’s a world-renowned sportsbook, offering bettors in the UK a competitive offering. They feature thousands of markets across many sports, with o...
One of the top names in the UK betting industry, Sky Bet continues to be the go-to choice for many bettors in the UK. They provide access to many of t...
SpreadEx isn’t necessarily the biggest name in the UK betting industry; however, it is one of the top options around. They offer a unique experience, ...
Coral offers all new customers a welcome bonus free bet when creating an account through this page, and betting on one of the many sports, competition...
Still a relatively new operator for UK players, 7Bet has emerged as a top option for bettors seeking more. The operator has a host of markets to wager...
Betway is a global sportsbook, operating in many markets across the world. It remains one of the top options for UK bettors, as it provides many posit...
It’s fair to say Betano isn’t one of the most experienced bookmakers in a crowded gambling market. Still, it is a modern and forward-thinking business...
Decimal Odds (The European Standard)
Need decimal odds explained? I’m glad to report it’s much simpler than it looks.
The decimal odds format is the most commonly used outside of the United Kingdom, and you’ll find examples at most European sportsbooks.
How it works: Multiply your stake by the decimal odds to calculate the total return.
Example: You place a £10 bet on Liverpool to beat Everton in the Merseyside Derby at odds of 1.80. That means you multiply 1.80 by 10 to get 18. That covers the £10 profit and the £8 stake, giving your total return.
Fractional Odds (The UK Standard)
Need fractional odds explained? Let’s do it.
The fractional odds format is what you’ll see when visiting any UK bookmaker. It’s the most common and popular odds format used by bettors across the United Kingdom. It also features in gambling adverts and promotions.
How it works: Fractional odds may seem complicated, but they’re quite simple. The format shows the profits relevant to your stake. For example, 10/1 means you’ll win £10 for every £1 staked, while 15/2 means you win £15 for every £2 staked.
Example: Chelsea started the 2025/26 Premier League season at 9/1 to win the title. You fancy the Club World Cup winners, so place a £10 stake. 9/1 for a £10 stake is the same as 90/10, meaning you’ll get £100 if Chelsea wins the league. That’s a £90 profit and your £10 stake back.
American Odds (The US Standard)
Now it’s time for American odds explained.
You’ll find American odds displayed at major US bookmakers, or you can switch to the American odds format at many UK betting apps. An example of American odds might be -200 or +200, but what do these odds mean?
Positive odds (+): If a selection has positive odds, it shows how much you’d profit from a £100 stake.
Suppose you bet on an NFL team to win the Super Bowl at odds of +150. A £100 bet wins £150 profit at the price.
Negative odds (-): If a selection has negative odds, it shows how much you must bet to make a £100 profit.
Let’s say you bet on an NBA team to win a match at odds of -120. You must bet £120 to win a £100 profit.
The Asian Odds Confusion: Market vs. Format
When researching bets, you may see “Asian Odds” mentioned. There’s a popular misconception in gambling.
Asian odds refer to the Asian handicap betting market, which helps eliminate the chances of a draw when gambling on sports and uses decimal odds. An example might be Man City -2.25 vs Wolves at odds of 2.50.
Check out our dedicated football handicap betting guide for more.
Converting Between Odds Formats
Every major bookmaker featured at Flashscore allows you to choose the odds format, and it’s simple. Follow these steps.
Log In
Visit your chosen betting app and log in.
Find Odds Format
Click on the odds format link found on the homepage.
Select Your Style
Choose between fractional odds, decimal odds, and American odds.
Apply Preference
All odds displayed on the site or app now follow your preferred format.
Change Anytime
You can change the odds format at any time.
Implied Probability and Value Betting
Calculating the implied probability of a bet helps you spot overpriced selections and encourages value betting. Here’s how to do that for each odds format.
Fractional odds: Stake divided by (odds + stake) × 100 = implied probability.
Therefore, the implied probability of a bet at 5/2 is 2 ÷ (5 + 2) × 100 = 28.57%.
Decimal odds: 1 ÷ decimal odds × 100 = implied probability.
The implied probability of a bet at 3.50 is 1 ÷ 3.50 × 100 = 28.57%.
American odds:
- For positive odds: 100 ÷ (odds + 100) × 100.
- For negative odds: -odds ÷ (-odds + 100) × 100.
Example: A bet with odds of +250 = 100 ÷ (250 + 100) × 100 = 28.57% probability.
The Flashscore Advantage: Universal Data for Any Odds
Flashscore is the home of fast, accurate and up-to-date sports stats, including head-to-head scores, predicted lineups, and movements in the betting odds shown in real-time. No matter the odds format, the stats and trends remain the same at Flashscore.
When you have researched the latest information at Flashscore, you can view the odds to check if there’s betting value in a selection.
Conclusion
We’ve arrived at the end of our article on different types of betting odds, and I hope you found it useful. Remember, there’s more to the odds than showing how much you’ll win. Call on the stats at Flashscore to find your implied probability of a bet and then search for overpriced selections offering value.
FAQ
Which odds format is the easiest to understand?
All odds are easy to understand, but the most popular in the UK is fractional odds.
How do I convert American odds to decimal odds?
If odds are positive: Decimal = (American odds ÷ 100) + 1. If odds are negative: Decimal = (100 ÷ American odds) + 1.
Are "Asian Odds" a real thing?
Yes, but Asian Odds refers to the Asian handicap betting.
Why do different betting sites show different odds formats?
It’s usually decided by the most popular odds format in that region.
Do higher odds always mean a team is going to lose?
No, upsets happen every day in sports and help drive betting.
What does it mean when odds are "even money"? (e.g., 2.00, 1/1, +100)
It means you’ll get the same amount back as you bet. If you bet £10 at even money, you’ll secure a £10 profit if your pick wins.
How do bookmakers set the odds?
Odds are based on stats, trends, and the opinion of traders.
What is the implied probability of odds?
It shows how likely a pick is to win as a percentage.
Can I just use fractional odds for horse racing and decimal for football?
Yes, you can switch between the odds formats as needed.
How do I convert fractional odds to decimal?
Add the winnings and the stake, and then divide by the stake. Therefore, 5/2 is 7 divided by 2 = 3.50.
Are odds different for live (in-play) betting compared to pre-match?
Yes, live betting odds change many times throughout a sports fixture.
Why do odds shift before a big game?
There are many reasons, including changes to the predicted lineup or a rush of stakes on a selection.
Is it better to bet with decimal or fractional odds for value?
Both odds formats offer advantages.
About the author
I have been involved in the gambling industry for almost 20 years, filling a number of important roles, from the trading floor to content editor. My previews and predictions lean heavily on the stats and trends to help readers identify the value and find winning bets. As a former professional boxer, I boast a unique insight into sports and enjoy covering the biggest events.
