A parlay calculator is the fastest way to check your multi-leg bet payouts before you place a wager. Instead of guessing what a 3-leg or 5-leg parlay might return, you enter your odds, input your stake, and instantly see the combined odds, total payout, and profit. Our free parlay calculator helps you understand exactly what you stand to win and what you are risking on every parlay bet.
Whether you are combining NFL spreads, NBA moneylines, or MLB totals, the parlay calculator shows you the true picture of your risk and reward. New to parlays? Start with our complete parlay betting guide to learn the fundamentals before diving into the calculator.
Use the OddsIndex parlay calculator below to instantly compute your potential parlay payouts. This tool takes the guesswork out of multi-leg betting by showing you exactly what your combined odds, implied probability, and potential profit look like before you place any real money at risk.
The calculator assumes your selections are independent bets. This means each leg has no effect on the outcome of any other leg. For Same Game Parlays where outcomes may be correlated, the calculator provides a useful baseline estimate, but sportsbook SGP pricing will typically differ. We explain why in detail later in this guide.
What the calculator shows you:
Enter your legs, input the American odds for each selection, add your stake amount, and hit calculate. Use this tool to understand your risk, compare different parlay structures, and make informed decisions rather than chasing big payouts blindly.
Important: Parlay calculators help you plan and understand risk. They do not guarantee wins. Parlays are high-risk bets with low hit rates. Always bet within your limits and only wager what you can afford to lose.
Getting accurate parlay payout calculations takes just a few seconds. Follow these steps to use the parlay calculator effectively.
Start by deciding how many selections you want in your parlay. A leg is a single bet within your parlay. Most US sportsbooks allow anywhere from 2 to 12 legs in a standard parlay, though some books extend this to 15 or even 20 legs for certain markets.
Typical leg ranges:
The calculator lets you add or remove legs as needed. Start conservatively and experiment with different structures to find the balance between payout potential and realistic win probability.
For each selection in your parlay, enter the odds in American format. American odds show how much you win relative to a $100 baseline.
Understanding American odds:
Common odds you will encounter:
| Odds | Type | Typical Market |
|---|---|---|
| -110 | Standard | Point spreads, totals |
| -120 to -150 | Small favorite | Moneylines, props |
| -200 to -300 | Heavy favorite | Moneylines |
| +100 (Even) | Pick em | Close matchups |
| +110 to +150 | Small underdog | Moneylines, props |
| +200 to +500 | Moderate underdog | Moneylines |
| +500 and higher | Big underdog | Longshot bets |
If your sportsbook displays decimal odds (1.91, 2.50) or fractional odds (10/11, 3/2), you will need to convert them to American format first or use an odds converter tool.
Your stake is the amount of money you are putting at risk. If your parlay loses, you lose your entire stake. Enter your stake in dollars.
Bankroll management guidelines for parlays:
Once you have entered all your legs, odds, and stake, the calculator displays your results.
Output breakdown:
Example calculation:
The calculator shows combined odds around +595, implied probability around 14.4%, total payout of approximately $173.75, and profit of approximately $148.75.
For a deeper explanation of how these calculations work, see our how to calculate parlay odds guide.
Moneyline parlays are popular because they are straightforward. You simply pick winners without worrying about point spreads. Here are worked examples showing how the calculator handles typical moneyline combinations.
NFL Moneyline Parlay (3 Legs)
| Leg | Selection | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chiefs ML | -180 |
| 2 | Eagles ML | -150 |
| 3 | Ravens ML | -200 |
With a $20 stake, this parlay of three favorites returns approximately +143 combined odds, a $28.60 profit, and $48.60 total payout. Notice that stacking favorites keeps payouts modest even at three legs because each individual bet has lower return potential.
NBA Mixed Moneyline Parlay (4 Legs)
| Leg | Selection | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celtics ML | -160 |
| 2 | Nuggets ML | -130 |
| 3 | Lakers ML | +120 |
| 4 | Heat ML | +140 |
With a $10 stake, mixing favorites with underdogs dramatically increases the payout. This combination yields approximately +850 combined odds, an $85 profit, and $95 total payout. The two underdog legs significantly boost the potential return but also lower the overall win probability.
Try plugging these examples into the calculator above to see the outputs for yourself. Experiment with swapping one selection or adjusting your stake to understand how each change affects the payout.
Understanding how parlay odds are calculated helps you evaluate whether a parlay offers good value or poor value. The math is consistent across all sportsbooks, even if the presentation differs slightly.
The core principle:
Parlay odds compound by multiplying the decimal equivalent of each leg together. The more legs you add, the higher the combined odds but the lower your probability of winning.
How single-leg odds translate to implied probability:
Each set of American odds implies a certain win probability based on the bookmaker's assessment plus their margin (vigorish).
When you combine multiple bets into a parlay, you multiply the probabilities together. This is why parlay win rates drop so quickly as you add legs.
Example probability compounding:
Even with each leg having a coin-flip chance of hitting, a 5-leg parlay only wins about 3 times in 100 attempts. This is why sportsbooks love parlays and why bettors need to approach them with realistic expectations.
The parlay payout formula converts each leg to decimal odds, multiplies them together, then multiplies by your stake to get total payout.
Step-by-step formula:
Conversion formulas:
Worked Example 1: 2-Leg Parlay
| Leg | American Odds | Decimal Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -110 | 1.909 |
| 2 | -110 | 1.909 |
Calculation: 1.909 x 1.909 = 3.644
With a $50 stake: $50 x 3.644 = $182.20 total payout, $132.20 profit
Combined American odds: approximately +264
Worked Example 2: 3-Leg Parlay
| Leg | American Odds | Decimal Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -110 | 1.909 |
| 2 | +120 | 2.200 |
| 3 | -150 | 1.667 |
Calculation: 1.909 x 2.200 x 1.667 = 7.003
With a $20 stake: $20 x 7.003 = $140.06 total payout, $120.06 profit
Combined American odds: approximately +600
Worked Example 3: 4-Leg Parlay
| Leg | American Odds | Decimal Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -110 | 1.909 |
| 2 | -110 | 1.909 |
| 3 | -110 | 1.909 |
| 4 | -110 | 1.909 |
Calculation: 1.909 x 1.909 x 1.909 x 1.909 = 13.29
With a $10 stake: $10 x 13.29 = $132.90 total payout, $122.90 profit
Combined American odds: approximately +1229
Parlay Payout Reference Chart (All Legs at -110)
| Number of Legs | Approx Combined Odds | $10 Stake Payout | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | +264 | $36.44 | 27.5% |
| 3 | +595 | $69.55 | 14.4% |
| 4 | +1229 | $132.90 | 7.5% |
| 5 | +2438 | $253.80 | 3.9% |
| 6 | +4742 | $484.20 | 2.1% |
| 7 | +9148 | $924.80 | 1.1% |
| 8 | +17621 | $1,772.10 | 0.6% |
For complete step-by-step calculation tutorials, see our dedicated how to calculate parlay odds guide.
Understanding the difference between true odds and sportsbook odds is critical for evaluating parlay value. This is where many bettors get fooled by attractive-looking payouts.
What are true odds?
True odds represent the actual probability of an outcome occurring, with no bookmaker margin built in. If a team has a genuine 50% chance of winning, the true odds would be +100 (even money).
What are sportsbook odds?
Sportsbook odds include the bookmaker's margin, also called vigorish or juice. This margin ensures the sportsbook profits over time regardless of outcomes. A 50-50 game that should be priced at +100/+100 is instead typically priced at -110/-110. That extra 10 points on each side is the vig.
How vig compounds in parlays:
The sportsbook's margin compounds with each leg you add. This means parlays have a higher effective house edge than straight bets.
Example of margin compounding:
| Bet Type | True Odds Payout | Sportsbook Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single bet at -110 | +100 | -110 | 4.5% |
| 2-leg parlay | +300 | +264 | 9% |
| 3-leg parlay | +700 | +595 | 13% |
| 4-leg parlay | +1500 | +1229 | 17% |
As you can see, the house edge roughly doubles with each additional leg. A 4-leg parlay gives the sportsbook about 17% edge compared to 4.5% on a single straight bet.
Implied probability explained:
Implied probability converts odds into a percentage chance of winning. To calculate implied probability from American odds:
Example:
Why this matters for parlays:
Knowing implied probability helps you assess whether a parlay offers reasonable value. If you believe your legs have a better combined chance than the implied probability suggests, the parlay may offer positive expected value. If not, you are paying a premium for the entertainment of chasing a big payout.
Reality check: Identifying poor value protects your bankroll, but it does not guarantee wins. Even well-constructed parlays with good value will lose more often than they win because of the low overall probability.
Same Game Parlays, commonly called SGPs, have exploded in popularity at US sportsbooks. An SGP combines multiple bets from a single game into one parlay. For example, you might combine a team to win, a player to score over 20 points, and the total to go over 210 into one SGP.
What makes SGPs different from standard parlays:
Standard parlays assume each leg is independent. The outcome of Chiefs vs Raiders has no effect on the outcome of Eagles vs Cowboys. The calculator multiplies independent probabilities together.
SGPs involve legs from the same game, which creates correlation. Correlation means the outcome of one leg affects the probability of another leg hitting.
Understanding correlation:
Why SGP odds differ from calculator outputs:
Because of correlation, sportsbooks cannot simply multiply independent odds together for SGPs. They use proprietary models that adjust the combined odds based on how the legs interact.
In most cases, this adjustment reduces your payout compared to what a simple parlay calculator shows. Sportsbooks call this the "SGP tax" even though they never phrase it that way in marketing. They promote SGPs heavily because the adjusted odds favor the house even more than standard parlays.
Can you use this parlay calculator for Same Game Parlays?
You can use the calculator to get a rough ballpark estimate and understand the underlying risk, but the actual SGP price your sportsbook offers will almost always differ.
How to use the calculator for SGP planning:
For detailed SGP strategy and correlation examples, see our Same Game Parlay guide.
Two common questions bettors ask about SGPs:
Can I use a parlay calculator for Same Game Parlays?
Yes, but with limitations. A standard parlay calculator gives you a baseline by multiplying independent odds. This shows what your payout would be if the legs had no correlation. The actual SGP price will typically be lower because sportsbooks adjust for correlation. Use the calculator to understand risk, but always check the real SGP price before betting.
Why are Same Game Parlay odds different?
SGP odds differ because sportsbooks recognize that legs from the same game influence each other. If you parlay a team winning plus their star player scoring 25+ points, those outcomes are positively correlated. The sportsbook reduces the payout because both legs are more likely to hit together than pure independent math suggests.
Numeric example showing the difference:
Imagine you want to parlay these three legs from a single NBA game:
Calculator output (assuming independence):
1.909 x 1.870 x 1.909 = 6.82 decimal, or roughly +582 American odds
Actual sportsbook SGP price:
Sportsbooks might price this SGP at +450 or +480 instead of +582 because Tatum scoring heavily correlates with the Celtics covering and potentially with higher overall scoring.
The difference between +582 and +450 represents the correlation adjustment plus additional SGP margin the sportsbook takes.
Different sports offer different parlay opportunities based on game frequency, scoring patterns, and available markets. Here are practical examples across major US sports.
The NFL is the most popular sport for parlays in the United States. With games concentrated on Sundays, bettors love combining multiple spread or moneyline picks into Sunday parlays.
Classic NFL 3-Leg Spread Parlay
| Leg | Selection | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chiefs -3.5 | -110 |
| 2 | Bills -7 | -110 |
| 3 | 49ers -6 | -110 |
With a $25 stake:
Risk analysis: Each spread has roughly a 50% chance of covering (after accounting for vig). Your parlay has about a 12.5% chance of hitting all three. Expect to lose roughly 7 out of every 8 times you place this type of parlay. The profit on winners needs to offset the losses on the misses.
The NBA offers more games per day than the NFL, giving you more options. Player prop parlays are especially popular in basketball because individual stats are more predictable than team outcomes.
NBA Player Prop Parlay (3 Legs)
| Leg | Selection | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LeBron over 7.5 assists | -115 |
| 2 | Jokic over 11.5 rebounds | -120 |
| 3 | Curry over 4.5 threes | +105 |
With a $15 stake:
Note: Player prop parlays across different games are treated as independent legs. If you combine props from the same game into an SGP, expect adjusted odds as discussed earlier.
Baseball has more variance than football or basketball, making parlays riskier but potentially more rewarding. Run lines (baseball spreads) and totals are common parlay components.
MLB Moneyline and Total Parlay (3 Legs)
| Leg | Selection | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodgers ML | -165 |
| 2 | Yankees ML | -140 |
| 3 | Braves vs Mets Over 8.5 | -105 |
With a $20 stake:
Baseball parlay tip: MLB has significant daily variance due to pitching matchups and weather. Many experienced bettors avoid long MLB parlays because even heavy favorites lose frequently.
Before you lock in a straight parlay, consider whether alternative bet structures might better match your risk tolerance.
A standard parlay combines multiple bets into one. All legs must win for the parlay to pay out. One loss kills the entire bet. The appeal is high payouts from small stakes. The risk is that near-misses return nothing.
A round robin breaks your selections into multiple smaller parlays. Instead of one all-or-nothing bet, you get several parlay combinations. If one leg loses, some parlays still survive and can pay out.
Example:
With 4 selections, a round robin might create:
Total: 11 separate parlay bets
If one leg loses, you still hit some 2-leg and 3-leg combinations. This provides partial protection but requires more stake to cover all the combinations.
For complete round robin strategy, see our round robin betting guide.
A teaser lets you adjust point spreads or totals in your favor in exchange for reduced payouts. You move each line by 6, 6.5, or 7 points (in football) or 4-5 points (in basketball).
Example:
Moving spreads in your favor significantly increases hit rate but dramatically lowers payouts. Teasers can be a smarter choice than standard parlays for risk-averse bettors who still want multi-leg action.
For teaser strategy and math, see our teaser betting guide.
| Bet Type | Payout | Risk | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Parlay | Highest | Highest | Entertainment, longshot hunters |
| Round Robin | Moderate | Moderate | Risk-averse bettors wanting protection |
| Teaser | Lower | Lower | Value seekers crossing key numbers |
Bottom line: Standard parlays maximize potential payout but offer no safety net. If you want some protection against a single leg losing, explore round robins or teasers before automatically building straight parlays.
Sportsbook parlay rules vary slightly, but most US books follow similar guidelines. Understanding these rules prevents confusion when your bet settles.
A push occurs when the result lands exactly on the spread or total number. For example, if you bet Chiefs -7 and they win by exactly 7, the bet pushes.
Most sportsbooks handle pushes like this:
Your parlay reduces by one leg. A 4-leg parlay becomes a 3-leg parlay. The pushed leg is removed, and the remaining legs are recalculated.
Example:
Some sportsbooks void the entire parlay on a push. Always check your book's house rules.
A void differs from a push. Voids typically occur when:
Most books treat voids like pushes by removing that leg and recalculating the remaining parlay. However, some books have stricter void policies for certain prop bets.
Yes. When sportsbooks display "payout" or "total return," this includes your original stake.
Clarification:
The "to win" or "profit" number is what you actually gain. The "payout" number is what you receive back if you win.
Most US sportsbooks allow 2 to 12 legs in a standard parlay. Some books extend this to 15 or 20 legs for certain markets.
Typical limitations:
Some sportsbooks require each leg to meet a minimum odds threshold. Common minimums are -200 or -300. Heavy favorites below the threshold cannot be included in parlays.
Example policy:
Sportsbook requires minimum -300 per leg. A bet at -350 cannot be added to a parlay.
Traditional parlays do not allow multiple bets from the same event. You cannot parlay Chiefs -7 with Chiefs moneyline in a standard parlay because both outcomes are from the same game.
This is where Same Game Parlays differ. SGPs specifically allow combining bets from one game but with adjusted odds.
Live parlays let you combine in-game bets from ongoing events. As games progress, odds shift based on the score, time remaining, and game flow.
How live parlays work:
Using the calculator for live parlays:
The OddsIndex parlay calculator works for live parlays the same way it works for pre-game parlays. Enter the live odds you see, calculate your potential payout, and decide if the bet makes sense.
Limitations to keep in mind:
When live parlays make sense:
When to be cautious:
Live parlays add excitement but also add complexity. Make sure you understand the current game state before locking in live bets.
The honest answer: parlays are high-risk entertainment bets that most bettors should approach carefully.
The appeal of parlays:
The reality of parlays:
Expected value comparison:
A single bet at -110 has roughly 4.5% house edge. A 4-leg parlay at standard odds has roughly 17% house edge. You are paying a premium for the chance at a bigger payout.
Bankroll management principles for parlays:
Safer alternatives:
Smart parlay habits:
A parlay payout is calculated by converting each leg's American odds to decimal odds, multiplying all the decimal odds together, then multiplying by your stake. For example, two legs at -110 each convert to 1.909 decimal. Multiply 1.909 x 1.909 = 3.644. With a $50 stake: $50 x 3.644 = $182.20 total payout, which is $132.20 profit plus your $50 stake returned.
The parlay odds formula multiplies the decimal equivalent of each leg. Convert American odds to decimal first: for negative odds, decimal = 1 + (100 / abs(odds)); for positive odds, decimal = 1 + (odds / 100). Then multiply all decimal values. The result is your parlay's decimal odds, which you can convert back to American format.
If one leg pushes, most sportsbooks remove that leg and recalculate your parlay with the remaining legs. A 4-leg parlay becomes a 3-leg parlay. The pushed leg neither wins nor loses. Check your sportsbook's house rules because some books handle pushes differently.
Usually no. A voided bet is typically removed from the parlay just like a push. The remaining legs are recalculated at their combined odds. However, some sportsbooks have stricter policies for certain prop bets or markets. Always verify your book's void policy before betting.
Yes. When a sportsbook shows "payout" or "total return," this includes your original stake. To find your actual profit, subtract your stake from the total payout. Example: $150 payout on a $25 stake means $125 profit.
You can use it for a rough estimate, but the actual SGP price will differ. Standard parlay calculators assume independent legs. SGPs involve correlated outcomes from the same game, and sportsbooks adjust the odds accordingly. Always check the real SGP price on your sportsbook before betting.
SGP odds differ because the legs are correlated. If you parlay a team winning with their star player scoring heavily, both outcomes are more likely to happen together than independent math suggests. Sportsbooks reduce payouts to account for this positive correlation and take additional margin.
Parlays are high-risk bets with a larger house edge than straight bets. They can be entertaining and offer big payouts from small stakes, but most parlays lose. For long-term profitability, straight bets typically offer better expected value. Treat parlays as entertainment with money you can afford to lose.
It depends on your risk tolerance. Parlays offer higher payouts but no protection if one leg loses. Round robins cost more to place but provide partial payouts when one leg misses. Risk-averse bettors often prefer round robins. Bettors chasing maximum return prefer straight parlays.
Parlays are high-risk bets with low win probabilities. The calculator helps you understand your risk and potential reward, but it does not guarantee profits or predict outcomes. All betting involves the chance of losing money.
Key reminders:
Age requirements:
Sports betting is legal for adults 21+ in most regulated US states. Some states have different age minimums. Always verify your state's requirements.
State availability:
Sports betting laws vary by state. Not all markets and features are available in all states. Check your sportsbook's terms and local regulations.
If you need help:
If betting is affecting your finances, relationships, or mental health, help is available. Contact the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700 or visit ncpgambling.org for confidential support.
Gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call +1-800-GAMBLER.