How Do You Convert Decimal Odds To Fraction?

• Understanding Fractional Odds
• Understanding Decimal Odds
• Odds Comparison
• Betting Odds And Probability
• Examples Of Decimal Odds
• How To Convert Decimal Odds To Fraction
• Converting Fractional Odds To Decimals
• Decimal Odds Conversion Summary

For fans new to betting, it can sometimes be difficult to understand betting odds as you may see them represented in the form of fractions or decimals.

Depending on where you are in the world, you may be more used to one form of odds representation than another. UK punters are familiar with fractional odds, whilst those in Continental Europe, Australia, and the United States often bet with decimals.

There’s no right or wrong answer, just different strokes for different folks. However, if you’re overseas or betting with a company using decimals, then you may be wondering what these odds would look like as fractions.

Before we get into that, let’s talk about the different forms of odds representation you’ll come across and what they really mean.

Understanding Fractional Odds

To understand how to convert odds, we first need to know how fractional odds work.

Fractional odds are displayed, for example, as 4/1 or 5/2 - putting the amount you win against the amount you stake. Should you stake £1 at 4/1 odds, then you’ll win £4 along with the £1 you bet.

Fractional odds are relatively simple to understand, and this is one the reasons bookmakers will use them instead of decimal odds. A lot of new betters are more accustomed to seeing fractional odds, and this is one of the reasons why they’re displayed on promotional banners and digital adverts.

Sometimes you’ll see fractional odds represented the other way around, such as 1/10. This can be confusing, though all you need to remember is these are ‘’odds-on’’ selections where you would have to stake £10 to win £1. You’ll often see this when there is a fixture between a heavily-favoured team and a much weaker one.

Several UK bookmakers will use fractional odds, whilst a number of bookies based in the USA will use decimal.

However, this isn’t to say decimal odds are complicated. In fact, several people find them more simplistic and easier to understand than fractional ones. Everybody has their personal preferences, and there’s no right or wrong answer.

Understanding Decimal Odds

So, how do decimal odds work?

Learning the difference between fractional and decimal odds is hardly rocket science. New betters may feel overwhelmed when they see the latter in place of the former, but here are a few things to remember about if you wish to work out decimal odds.

Odds Comparison

One of the reasons why bettors prefer decimal odds is that it’s far easier to compare odds and judge potential winnings. The higher the number, the more generous the return.

Betting Odds And Probability

UK bettors are familiar with fractional odds, but decimals are more widely used around the world and are the most popular form of betting odds.

A lot of punters will tell you it’s easier to use decimal odds to calculate overall odds from multiple bets as you only have to multiply the odds from individual bets to be certain of the final odds. As is the case with every bookmaker’s odds, they are lower than the true probability to account for profit margins.

At Midnite, fans can convert betting odds to probability by choosing "percentage" in the odds format options.

Examples Of Decimal Odds

If you, for example, bet £50 on Chelsea to win the FA Cup at decimal odds of 5.0 and you were successful, then the return you’ll get is £50 X 5.0, or £250.

The £50 stake money is included, along with £200 in winnings.

Decimal odds are far easier to understand at a glance and it’s easy to see why they are the world’s most popular form of betting odds.

How To Convert Decimal Odds To Fraction

Converting decimal odds to fraction may sound a little daunting, but doing so is far more straightforward than you think - though converting fractions to decimals is far simpler.

If you come across decimal odds on a betting website and you’re too used to the fractional system, here’s how you can convert them.

You may need a calculator on-hand, but here’s how to do the conversion:

The sum is performed by subtracting 1.00, converting this to a fraction, and then reducing the fraction down to its simplest form.

For example, decimal odds of 1.75 could be converted to a fraction by removing the 1 to leave .75, transferring this to a percentage, 75/100, or 3/4 odds.

Another example would be odds of 6.0. First, subtract 1.00 to get 5.0, and then represent it as a fraction, 5/1.

Let’s explain this process in more detail:

Let’s say you come across betting odds of 2.25 and wish for them to be represented by familiar fractional odds.

Take the decimal odds and subtract one, to get 1.25.

Once you get this sum - 1.25/1, it’s time to multiply both by ten until the decimal point is absent.

1.25 multiplied by ten gives us 12.5. Since the decimal is still there, we must multiply it again so we get 125. Since we multiplied 1.25 twice, we must do the same for the 1, giving us a sum of 125/100.

From there, it’s time to simplify this fraction to its simplest form. The highest common factor of both numbers is 25, so we’ll divide 125 and 100 by 25 to give us 5/4 odds.

Converting Fractional Odds To Decimals

Converting fractional odds to decimal is straightforward, too, and it’s a process you’ll need to understand for successful odds conversions.

If you prefer decimal-style odds, then here’s how to convert them from the fractions often used in the UK:

Instead of subtracting 1, we must add 1 to the numerator (first number) and the denominator (the second number) of the fractional odds after dividing them.

For example, odds of 7/2 can be represented as a decimal by dividing 7 by 2, and then adding one - for odds of 4.5.

It takes far less time to convert fractions to decimals than vice versa, but both conversations are relatively easy to understand after some practice.

Decimal Odds Conversion Summary

By now, you should know how to convert decimal odds to fractions and do the inverse. You may need to brush up on your maths skills, but knowing how to convert different odds is a skill that’ll serve you in good stead as you learn more about the world of gambling.