Exacta Calculator
Calculate exacta bet costs and combinations for box, key, and wheel bets
Formula:Box Cost = n × (n-1) × Stake
Exacta Bet Setup
Configure your exacta wager
$
Select Horses
Add horses to your exacta
#1
#3
#5
Exacta Cost
6 combinations
Total Cost
$12
6 × $2
Bet Type
Box
Horses
3
Combinations
6
Per Combo
$2
Combinations
1-3
1-5
3-1
3-5
5-1
5-3
Exacta Examples
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Exacta Bet Tracker
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Quick Answer
TL;DR summary
An exacta bet requires picking the first two finishers in exact order. A straight exacta is one combination at base cost. A $2 exacta box with 3 horses costs $12 (3×2=6 combinations × $2). A $2 exacta box with 4 horses costs $24 (4×3=12 combinations). Key bets reduce cost by designating one horse to finish first or second with others filling the remaining position.
Key Facts: Exacta Bets
Important information
- Exacta = Pick 1st and 2nd in exact order
- Box = All order combinations of selected horses
- Box cost formula: n × (n-1) × stake
- Key = One horse in fixed position with others
- Standard base stake is $2 in US
- 3-horse box = 6 combinations
- 4-horse box = 12 combinations
- 5-horse box = 20 combinations
Frequently Asked Questions
Common exacta questions
What is an exacta bet?
An exacta (also called a perfecta) requires you to pick the first two finishers in a race in exact order. Horse A must win and Horse B must finish second. It pays more than win/place bets but is harder to hit.
How does an exacta box work?
A box covers all possible order combinations of your selected horses. A 3-horse box covers 6 combinations (3×2). A 4-horse box covers 12 combinations (4×3). The cost is combinations × base stake.
What is an exacta key bet?
A key bet designates one horse for a specific position. "Key #5 on top with #2,3,7" means #5 must win with any of the others second. This costs 3 combinations (one for each other horse) instead of a full box.
How is exacta box cost calculated?
For an exacta box: Cost = n × (n-1) × base stake, where n is the number of horses. 3 horses: 3×2 = 6 combos. 4 horses: 4×3 = 12 combos. 5 horses: 5×4 = 20 combos.
What is a part-wheel exacta?
A part-wheel (or partial wheel) lets you select different horses for first and second. "1,2,3 with 4,5,6" covers combinations where a horse from the first group wins and one from the second places. Duplicates are excluded.
How this works
Calculations follow the published mathematics of the game — combinatorics for cards, probability theory for dice, and expected-value accounting for wagers. Results are verified against independent references (primarily Wizard of Odds). No calculation here is an opinion or recommendation; it is arithmetic applied to the rules of the game.
What this tool can’t do
When to consult a professional
This tool computes probability and expected value. It is not a betting system and cannot predict the outcome of any individual wager. If gambling is causing problems for you or someone you know, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sources
- [1]Wizard of Odds — Michael Shackleford, ASAIndustrywizardofodds.comAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Actuary; widely cited casino-game probability reference. Used for house-edge and EV verification.
- [2]National Council on Problem GamblingOfficial sourcencpgambling.orgAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Responsible-gambling guidance and 1-800-GAMBLER helpline.
Joseph OrdunaFounder & Software Engineer
Full-stack software engineer specializing in embedded systems, web architecture, and AI/ML. Founder of Practical Web Tools. Built the gesture-controlled drone IP acquired by KD Interactive (Aura Drone, sold on Amazon).