Vig Calculator: Understanding the Juice in Sports Betting (2026)
Vig Calculator: See How Much the Sportsbook Really Takes
The vig (vigorish) is how sportsbooks guarantee profit regardless of outcomes. Our free calculator reveals the exact juice built into any betting line, helping you understand true costs and find better value.
What Is the Vig (Vigorish)?
The vig, also called "juice" or "margin," is the sportsbook's built-in commission. It's the difference between true odds and the odds they offer you.
Quick Answer: Standard American odds of -110/-110 on a coin flip carry 4.55% vig. This means if you bet both sides equally, you'd lose 4.55% of your total wagered—that's the sportsbook's guaranteed profit margin.
How to Use Our Free Vig Calculator
Enter the odds for both sides of a bet to see the total juice.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Enter Odds for Side A: The line for team/outcome one
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Enter Odds for Side B: The line for the other side
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Select Odds Format: American, Decimal, or Fractional
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View Results: See total vig percentage and true probabilities
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Side A Odds | First outcome's line | -110 |
| Side B Odds | Second outcome's line | -110 |
| Odds Format | How odds are displayed | American |
How the Vig Works
The Math Behind -110/-110
Standard point spread odds:
- Side A: -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Side B: -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
Implied probabilities:
- Side A: 110/(110+100) = 52.38%
- Side B: 110/(110+100) = 52.38%
- Total: 104.76%
The vig is: 104.76% - 100% = 4.76%
In reality, each side has 50% true probability. The extra 4.76% is the sportsbook's edge.
Common Vig Levels
| Odds Format | Implied Total | Vig % | Sportsbook Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| -110/-110 | 104.76% | 4.55% | Standard retail |
| -105/-105 | 102.44% | 2.38% | Reduced juice |
| -102/-102 | 101.00% | 0.99% | Sharp books |
| Even/Even | 100.00% | 0.00% | No margin (rare) |
Three-Way Markets
Soccer and hockey often have three outcomes (win/draw/win):
Example: Soccer Match
- Home Win: +150 (40%)
- Draw: +230 (30.3%)
- Away Win: +175 (36.4%)
- Total: 106.7%
- Vig: 6.7%
Three-way markets typically carry higher vig than two-way.
Real-World Vig Examples
Example 1: NFL Point Spread
Posted odds:
- Chiefs -3.5 (-110)
- Raiders +3.5 (-110)
Calculation:
Implied probability A: 110/210 = 52.38%
Implied probability B: 110/210 = 52.38%
Total: 104.76%
Vig: 4.76%
What this means: If you bet $110 on each side, you'd wager $220 total and win $210 back ($100 profit + $110 returned). Loss of $10 = 4.55% of total wagered.
Example 2: MLB Moneyline
Posted odds:
- Yankees -145
- Red Sox +125
Calculation:
Yankees implied: 145/245 = 59.18%
Red Sox implied: 100/225 = 44.44%
Total: 103.62%
Vig: 3.62%
True odds estimate:
- Yankees: ~57% (adjusted from 59.18%)
- Red Sox: ~43% (adjusted from 44.44%)
Example 3: Low-Juice Alternative
Reduced juice book:
- Chiefs -3.5 (-105)
- Raiders +3.5 (-105)
Calculation:
Both sides: 105/205 = 51.22%
Total: 102.44%
Vig: 2.44%
Savings: Half the juice of standard -110/-110 lines.
Why Vig Matters for Your Bottom Line
Long-Term Impact
| Annual Wagered | Standard Vig (4.5%) | Reduced Vig (2.5%) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $450 lost to vig | $250 lost to vig | $200 |
| $50,000 | $2,250 lost | $1,250 lost | $1,000 |
| $100,000 | $4,500 lost | $2,500 lost | $2,000 |
Break-Even Win Rate
To break even at different vig levels:
| Vig % | Required Win Rate |
|---|---|
| 0% | 50.00% |
| 2.5% | 51.22% |
| 4.5% | 52.38% |
| 6% | 53.00% |
Every percentage point of vig requires ~0.5% higher accuracy to overcome.
Finding Low-Vig Lines
Sportsbook Categories
High-Juice (Retail):
- Standard -110/-110
- Heavy favorite/underdog spreads
- Proposition bets
- Typical: 4-10% vig
Reduced Juice:
- -105/-105 or -107/-107
- Some online books specialize in this
- Typical: 2-3% vig
Sharp Books:
- Tight lines, quick adjustments
- Cater to professional bettors
- Typical: 1-3% vig
Line Shopping Strategy
Compare the same bet across multiple books:
| Sportsbook | Chiefs Odds | Raiders Odds | Vig |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book A | -110 | -110 | 4.55% |
| Book B | -108 | -108 | 3.81% |
| Book C | -105 | -105 | 2.38% |
Always bet at Book C. The savings compound over time.
Common Vig Mistakes
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Ignoring the Juice: Many bettors focus only on who will win, not what they're paying for the privilege of betting.
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Not Line Shopping: Taking -110 when -105 is available elsewhere is throwing money away.
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Betting Heavy Favorites: A -300 favorite has enormous vig built in. The book profits greatly from these bets.
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Parlays and Teasers: These products compound vig across multiple legs, often reaching 15-30% effective juice.
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Prop Bets: Player props and exotic bets carry much higher vig than main markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do sportsbooks need vig?
Sportsbooks are businesses. The vig guarantees profit regardless of which side wins. Without it, they'd just be gambling alongside their customers.
Is lower vig always better?
Generally yes. Lower vig means less money lost to the house over time. However, also consider line availability, limits, and reliability.
Why are parlays high vig?
Parlay odds are calculated by multiplying individual legs. Even small vig on each leg compounds dramatically:
- 2-leg parlay at -110: ~10% effective vig
- 4-leg parlay at -110: ~20% effective vig
Can I ever beat the vig?
Yes, with an edge in handicapping. If you can pick winners at 53%+ accuracy on -110 lines, you'll profit despite the vig. This is difficult but possible.
What's the vig on totals vs. spreads?
Usually identical (-110/-110), but some books reduce juice on popular markets. Always check both.
Do betting exchanges eliminate vig?
Exchanges charge commission (typically 2-5%) instead of traditional vig. This is often lower than sportsbook juice, making exchanges attractive for high-volume bettors.
Vig by Market Type
| Market | Typical Vig | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NFL Spread | 4.5% | Most liquid market |
| NFL Moneyline | 3-6% | Varies by matchup |
| NBA Spread | 4.5% | Standard |
| MLB Moneyline | 3-5% | Lower on close games |
| Soccer 3-Way | 5-8% | Higher due to draw |
| Props | 6-15% | Much higher margin |
| Futures | 10-30% | Highest vig bets |
Pro Tips for Managing Vig
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Use Multiple Sportsbooks: Having 3-5 accounts lets you shop for the best lines
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Focus on -110 Markets: Spreads and totals have the lowest and most predictable vig
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Avoid Exotic Bets: Props, parlays, and teasers are vig traps
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Track Your Effective Vig: Calculate what you're actually paying across all bets
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Consider Betting Exchanges: Lower fees for high-volume bettors
Calculating True Odds
To find the "no-vig" or "true" probability:
Formula:
True Probability = Implied Probability / Total Implied Probability
Example with -110/-110:
- Side A implied: 52.38%
- Side B implied: 52.38%
- Total: 104.76%
- Side A true: 52.38% / 104.76% = 50%
- Side B true: 52.38% / 104.76% = 50%
This reveals the sportsbook's actual assessment of the game.
Related Sports Betting Calculators
- Implied Probability Calculator - Convert odds to percentages
- Odds Converter - American/Decimal/Fractional
- Expected Value Calculator - Is this bet profitable?
- Arbitrage Calculator - Find guaranteed profit
- Kelly Criterion Calculator - Optimal bet sizing
Conclusion
The vig is the invisible tax on every bet you place. Understanding and minimizing it is fundamental to sports betting success. Our free calculator shows exactly how much juice is built into any line, helping you make smarter decisions about where to place your money.
Calculate the Vig on Any Bet Now →
The difference between paying 4.5% vig and 2.5% vig might not feel significant on a single bet, but over hundreds of bets it's the difference between profit and loss. Start tracking the juice, and you'll instantly become a smarter bettor.
