Over/Under Totals Calculator: Complete Betting Guide

Over/under betting lets you wager on combined scores without picking a winner. Our calculator shows payouts, break-even rates, and helps you analyze totals betting opportunities across all major sports.

What Is Over/Under Betting?

Over/under (totals) betting involves wagering whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a set number. You don't need to pick a winner—just whether the game will be high or low scoring.

Quick Answer: Totals work like spread betting with standard -110 odds. If the total is 47.5 and you bet Over, you need 48+ combined points to win. Half-points eliminate pushes. Weather, injuries, pace of play, and defensive matchups all significantly impact totals.

How to Use Our Totals Calculator

Use the Over/Under Totals Calculator →

Enter the total line and odds to see payouts and break-even rates.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter the Total: Set number (e.g., 47.5)

2. Select Over or Under: Your prediction

3. Enter the Odds: Usually -110 both ways

4. Input Bet Amount: Your wager

5. View Payout: Potential return

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Total Line	Combined score target	47.5
Your Pick	Over or Under	Over
Odds	Juice/vig	-110
Bet Amount	Your wager	$100
Payout	Total return	$190.91

Totals by Sport

NFL Totals

Range	Description	Example
35-40	Defensive game	Ravens vs Steelers
40-45	Average game	Most matchups
45-50	Offensive game	Chiefs vs Bills
50+	Shootout	High-powered offenses

NBA Totals

Range	Description	Example
200-210	Slow pace	Defensive teams
210-220	Average	Most games
220-230	Fast pace	Run-and-gun teams
230+	Track meet	All-Star type pace

MLB Totals

Range	Description	Example
6.5-7	Pitcher's duel	Ace vs Ace
7.5-8.5	Average	Most games
9-10	Hitter-friendly	Coors Field
10.5+	High-scoring	Bad pitching

NHL Totals

Range	Description	Example
5-5.5	Low scoring	Defensive matchup
5.5-6	Average	Most games
6-6.5	High scoring	Weak goaltending
7+	Track meet	Rare

Totals Payout Math

Standard -110 Both Sides

Bet	Amount	Win	Total Return
Over -110	$110	$100	$210
Under -110	$110	$100	$210

Adjusted Lines

Line Move	Odds
Balanced	-110/-110
Over popular	-115/-105
Under popular	-105/-115

Break-Even Rate

Break-Even % = |Odds| / (|Odds| + 100)
At -110: 52.38%

You need to win 52.38% of -110 bets to break even.

Factors Affecting Totals

Weather Conditions

Condition	Impact on Total
Strong wind (15+ mph)	Lowers total
Rain/Snow	Lowers total
Extreme cold	Lowers total
Dome/Indoor	Neutral
Perfect conditions	Slight increase

Pace of Play

Factor	Over/Under Impact
Fast pace teams	Favors Over
Slow pace teams	Favors Under
Defensive coaching	Favors Under
High possession time	Fewer possessions = Under

Injuries

Injury Type	Impact
Star offensive player out	Lowers total
Starting QB out	Usually lowers total
Key defensive player out	May raise total
Starting pitcher scratch	Recalculate entirely

Real-World Examples

Example 1: NFL Over Bet

Game: Chiefs vs Chargers Total: 52.5 Bet: $100 on Over (-110)

Final Score: Chiefs 35, Chargers 27 = 62 total Result: WIN (+$90.91)

Example 2: NFL Under Bet

Game: Ravens vs Steelers Total: 40.5 Bet: $110 on Under (-110)

Final Score: Ravens 17, Steelers 14 = 31 total Result: WIN (+$100)

Example 3: Push Scenario

Game: Lakers vs Celtics Total: 220 (whole number) Bet: $100 on Over (-110)

Final Score: Lakers 112, Celtics 108 = 220 total Result: PUSH (bet returned)

Example 4: Weather Factor

Game: Bills vs Patriots (15 mph wind) Original Total: 44.5 Adjusted Analysis: Wind likely drops total to 41-42 effective

Strategy: Consider Under if line doesn't fully adjust

Totals Betting Strategies

Late Line Movement

Movement	Possible Indication
Total drops 1+ points	Sharp money on Under
Total rises 1+ points	Sharp money on Over
No movement	Balanced action

Situational Spots

Situation	Tendency
Monday Night Football	Slight Over bias
Division rivals	Slight Under bias
Playoff games	Under tendency
Back-to-back (NBA)	Under tendency

First Half vs Full Game

Comparison	Insight
1H total = 50% of full game	Standard proportion
1H total < 50%	Books expect slow start
1H total > 50%	Books expect fast start

Live/In-Game Totals

Advantages

• See early game pace
• Weather impact clarified
• Injury status confirmed
• Actual scoring rate visible

Disadvantages

Issue	Impact
Odds move quickly	Hard to get value
Less time for correction	One quarter swings
Juice often higher	-115 or worse

Common Totals Mistakes

1. Ignoring Weather

Mistake: Betting Over in windy games Reality: Wind significantly impacts passing games Fix: Check weather before betting totals

2. Chasing Steam

Mistake: Following line movement blindly Reality: By the time you see it, value may be gone Fix: Have independent analysis

3. Not Understanding Pace

Mistake: "Both teams score a lot" Reality: Pace matters more than ability Fix: Research pace metrics (plays/game, possessions)

4. Overvaluing Past Scores

Mistake: "Team X hit the Over last 5 games" Reality: Each game has unique context Fix: Analyze matchup-specific factors

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the total lands exactly on the number?

With whole numbers, it's a push—bets returned. Half-point totals (47.5) eliminate pushes.

Are totals easier to predict than sides?

Different skill set. Totals require understanding pace, weather, and scoring tendencies rather than who wins.

Should I bet early or late on totals?

Weather-dependent games: wait. Good weather games: sharps often bet early, so early lines may have value.

Do injuries affect totals more than spreads?

Offensive injuries can significantly affect totals. A backup QB usually lowers the total by 1-3 points.

What's a good totals win rate?

Same as spreads: 52.38%+ at -110 to profit. Sharps typically achieve 54-56% long-term.

Why do some totals have -105/-115 instead of -110/-110?

When one side has more action, books adjust juice rather than move the number to balance their exposure.

Totals Research Factors

Key Metrics by Sport

Sport	Key Totals Metrics
NFL	Points/game, pace, red zone %
NBA	Pace, defensive rating, rest days
MLB	ERA, ballpark factors, bullpen
NHL	Goals/game, save %, special teams

Data Sources

Resource	Use
Team pace stats	Over/Under tendency
Weather forecasts	Wind/precipitation impact
Injury reports	Offensive impact
Historical splits	Home/away tendencies

Advanced Totals Concepts

Reverse Line Movement

When the line moves against public betting:

Public	Line Move	Indication
65% Over	Total rises	Sharps on Under
70% Under	Total drops	Sharps on Over

Correlation with Spreads

Scenario	Correlation
Big favorite	Often correlated with Over
Close game	Lower correlation
Bad weather	Spread+Under correlation

Pro Tips

• Check weather religiously: Wind is the #1 totals factor in outdoor sports

• Understand pace: Points/game means nothing without context

• Watch line movement: Reverse movement often signals sharp action

• Don't overreact: One high-scoring game doesn't change a team's nature

• Value first halves: 1H totals often have more inefficiency

Related Calculators

• Point Spread Calculator - Side betting
• Parlay Calculator - Combined bets
• Moneyline Calculator - Straight wins
• Live Betting Calculator - In-game bets
• Kelly Criterion Calculator - Bet sizing

Conclusion

Over/under totals offer a different angle on sports betting—you're predicting combined scoring, not winners. Our calculator shows exact payouts and break-even rates for any totals bet. Success requires understanding pace, weather, injuries, and situational factors.

Calculate Your Totals Bets Now →

Totals betting rewards research into factors the average bettor ignores. Master pace metrics, monitor weather, and track line movement to find value in game totals.