Vig & True Odds Calculator: Remove Juice and Find Fair Odds

A vig calculator helps you strip away the sportsbook margin from betting odds to reveal the true fair price beneath. Every betting line includes vig (also called juice), which is the built-in commission sportsbooks charge to guarantee profit regardless of the outcome. Understanding how much vig is baked into a line and what the true odds would be without it is essential for any bettor serious about finding value.

When you see standard -110/-110 odds on a point spread, both sides cannot have a 52.4% chance of winning. The real probability is closer to 50/50, but the sportsbook adds margin to both sides. Our vig calculator shows you exactly how much juice exists in any market and converts the inflated odds back to their true, no-vig equivalents.

This tool matters because profitable betting requires comparing your estimated probability against fair odds, not against odds already inflated by the house edge. If you only compare your analysis to market prices, you might think you have found value when you have simply matched the book's inflated line. Removing vig first gives you the honest baseline needed for true value assessment.

For a deeper understanding of juice in sports betting and why sportsbooks charge it, start there. To convert between American, decimal, and fractional odds formats, use our odds converter calculator. To see how odds translate to win percentages, check our implied probability calculator. This guide focuses specifically on identifying, calculating, and removing vig to find true odds.

Important: This calculator shows theoretical probabilities and fair odds based on the numbers you enter. It does not guarantee profitable betting or predict outcomes. Sports betting involves real financial risk, and no mathematical tool eliminates the inherent uncertainty of wagering on unpredictable events.

Vig Calculator - Quick Start

The calculator below lets you enter odds from both sides of a two-way market to instantly see the vig percentage and true no-vig odds. This is the primary tool you need for understanding what portion of any betting line represents sportsbook margin versus actual probability.

What this calculator does:

• Shows the implied probability for each side of a bet
• Calculates total implied probability (which reveals the vig)
• Displays the vig percentage the sportsbook is charging
• Converts market odds to true odds with vig removed
• Works with American, decimal, and fractional formats

How to use the vig calculator:

1. Enter the odds for side A of the market (e.g., -110 for a favorite)
2. Enter the odds for side B (e.g., +100 for the underdog)
3. View the implied probabilities, total overround, and vig percentage
4. See the true odds for each side with juice removed

For two-way markets like moneylines, point spreads, and over/unders, this gives you a complete picture of the sportsbook margin. The vig percentage tells you what the book is skimming off the top, and the true odds show what a fair market price would be.

For a larger display with easier mobile use, visit our full-screen vig calculator.

What is Vig in Sports Betting?

Vig, short for vigorish, is the commission sportsbooks charge on every bet. It is also called juice, margin, or overround depending on who you ask. Regardless of the name, it represents the same thing: the sportsbook takes a cut that ensures they profit over time regardless of which side wins.

How vig works in practice:

Consider a standard NFL point spread priced at -110 on both sides. At -110 odds, each side has an implied probability of 52.4%. But 52.4% plus 52.4% equals 104.8%, not 100%. That extra 4.8% is the vig. In a perfectly balanced market where equal money comes in on each side, the book collects from losers and pays winners while keeping that margin.

If you bet $110 to win $100 and lose, the book keeps your $110. If you win, the book pays you $100. When both sides attract equal action, the book pays out $100 to winners using $110 collected from losers, pocketing $10 per $220 wagered. That is the vig in action.

Common vig amounts:

Market Type	Typical Odds	Total Implied %	Vig %
NFL Spread (-110/-110)	-110 / -110	104.8%	4.8%
Reduced Juice (-105/-105)	-105 / -105	102.4%	2.4%
Typical Moneyline	-150 / +130	103.5%	3.5%
Heavy Favorite ML	-300 / +240	104.4%	4.4%
Props/Futures	Varies widely	105-120%	5-20%

The standard -110/-110 spread market carries about 4.8% vig. Moneylines typically have 3-5% vig on major sports. Props and futures often carry significantly higher juice, sometimes exceeding 10% depending on the market and sportsbook.

For a comprehensive explanation of how sportsbooks build and apply this margin, see our guide to juice in sports betting.

How to Calculate Vig from Betting Odds

Calculating vig requires three steps: convert each side's odds to implied probability, add them together, then subtract 100%. The amount over 100% is the vig.

Step 1: Convert odds to implied probability

For American odds:

• Positive odds (+150): Implied % = 100 / (Odds + 100)
• Negative odds (-150): Implied % = |Odds| / (|Odds| + 100)

Step 2: Add implied probabilities

Total Implied % = Side A Implied % + Side B Implied %

Step 3: Calculate vig

Vig % = Total Implied % - 100%

Worked example: Standard spread market

Market: Cowboys -3 (-110) vs Eagles +3 (-110)

Cowboys implied probability: 110 / (110 + 100) = 110 / 210 = 52.38%

Eagles implied probability: 110 / (110 + 100) = 110 / 210 = 52.38%

Total implied probability: 52.38% + 52.38% = 104.76%

Vig: 104.76% - 100% = 4.76%

Worked example: Unbalanced moneyline

Market: Lakers -180 vs Celtics +155

Lakers implied probability: 180 / (180 + 100) = 180 / 280 = 64.29%

Celtics implied probability: 100 / (155 + 100) = 100 / 255 = 39.22%

Total implied probability: 64.29% + 39.22% = 103.51%

Vig: 103.51% - 100% = 3.51%

Quick reference for common odds combinations:

Side A Odds	Side B Odds	Total Implied %	Vig %
-110	-110	104.76%	4.76%
-105	-105	102.44%	2.44%
-115	-105	103.51%	3.51%
-120	+100	104.55%	4.55%
-150	+130	103.50%	3.50%
-200	+170	103.85%	3.85%
-250	+200	104.55%	4.55%
-300	+240	104.41%	4.41%

Notice that vig is not always distributed equally between both sides. In the -150/+130 example, more juice is applied to the underdog side. Sportsbooks adjust where they load the vig based on expected betting patterns and liability management.

Understanding True Odds and No-Vig Lines

True odds represent what the market would price if sportsbooks charged no commission. They reflect the actual probability the book has assigned to each outcome without the margin markup. Finding true odds requires normalizing the implied probabilities so they sum to exactly 100%.

Why true odds matter:

Market odds include vig, so comparing your estimated probability to market implied probability does not give you a clean read on value. A bet might look like value compared to -110 odds but actually offer no edge when measured against the underlying true odds.

True odds provide the honest baseline. If you believe a team has a 55% chance of winning and the true odds imply 54%, you may have slight value. If the true odds imply 56%, you do not have value regardless of what the market odds show.

Formula to calculate true odds:

1. Calculate implied probability for each side
2. Find total implied probability
3. Divide each side's implied probability by the total
4. Convert normalized probability back to odds

Step-by-step example:

Market: Packers -160 vs Vikings +140

Step 1: Calculate implied probabilities

Packers: 160 / 260 = 61.54%

Vikings: 100 / 240 = 41.67%

Step 2: Find total implied probability

Total: 61.54% + 41.67% = 103.21%

Step 3: Normalize to remove vig

Packers true probability: 61.54% / 103.21% = 59.63%

Vikings true probability: 41.67% / 103.21% = 40.37%

Check: 59.63% + 40.37% = 100% (vig removed)

Step 4: Convert back to American odds

Packers true odds: -(59.63 / 40.37) x 100 = -147.7 (round to -148)

Vikings true odds: (100 / 40.37) - 100 = +147.7 (round to +148)

The difference:

Team	Market Odds	Market Implied %	True Odds	True Probability
Packers	-160	61.54%	-148	59.63%
Vikings	+140	41.67%	+148	40.37%

The true odds show that without vig, the Packers would be approximately -148 and the Vikings +148. The market price of -160/+140 represents the same underlying probability with 3.21% vig added.

For more on converting between odds formats during this process, see our odds converter calculator.

How to Remove Juice from Odds Step by Step

Removing juice follows the same normalization process described above. Here is a detailed walkthrough you can apply to any two-way market.

Example: NFL Totals Market

Market: Over 47.5 (-115) / Under 47.5 (-105)

Step 1: Convert to implied probability

Over -115: 115 / 215 = 53.49%

Under -105: 105 / 205 = 51.22%

Step 2: Calculate total and vig

Total: 53.49% + 51.22% = 104.71%

Vig: 4.71%

Step 3: Normalize probabilities

Over true probability: 53.49% / 104.71% = 51.08%

Under true probability: 51.22% / 104.71% = 48.92%

Step 4: Convert to true odds

Over true odds: -(51.08 / 48.92) x 100 = -104.4 (approximately -104)

Under true odds: (100 / 48.92) - 100 = +104.4 (approximately +104)

Interpretation:

The market prices the Over at -115 and Under at -105, loading slightly more juice on the Over. After removing the 4.71% vig, the true fair odds would be approximately -104/+104. This tells you the book's actual probability assessment is nearly 50/50 with slight lean to the Over.

Another example: Heavy favorite moneyline

Market: Dodgers -280 vs Rockies +230

Over implied: 280 / 380 = 73.68%

Under implied: 100 / 330 = 30.30%

Total: 73.68% + 30.30% = 103.98%

Vig: 3.98%

Dodgers true probability: 73.68% / 103.98% = 70.86%

Rockies true probability: 30.30% / 103.98% = 29.14%

Dodgers true odds: -(70.86 / 29.14) x 100 = -243

Rockies true odds: (100 / 29.14) - 100 = +243

The market shows -280/+230, but the true no-vig line would be approximately -243/+243. If you believe the Rockies have more than a 29.14% chance, there may be value on the underdog.

Using True Odds for Value Betting

Once you know the true odds, you can make cleaner value assessments. Value exists when your estimated probability exceeds the true probability implied by the no-vig line.

The value betting framework:

1. Calculate true odds for the market
2. Estimate your own probability for each outcome
3. Compare your estimate to the true probability
4. Bet when your probability significantly exceeds the true probability

Example: Finding value on an underdog

Market: Heat +180 vs Bucks -210

Heat market implied: 100 / 280 = 35.71%

Bucks market implied: 210 / 310 = 67.74%

Total: 103.45%, Vig: 3.45%

Heat true probability: 35.71% / 103.45% = 34.52%

Bucks true probability: 67.74% / 103.45% = 65.48%

Your analysis suggests the Heat have a 40% chance of winning. Comparing to the true probability:

Your estimate: 40%

True probability: 34.52%

Edge: 40% - 34.52% = 5.48%

This represents potential value because your assessed probability exceeds the book's no-vig assessment by more than 5 percentage points. However, if you had compared your 40% to the market implied 35.71%, you would have seen only a 4.29% edge. The difference matters for accurate value calculation.

Why this matters for expected value:

Expected value calculations require comparing your probability estimate to fair odds. Using market odds in EV formulas understates your edge because those odds include vig working against you. True odds give the honest benchmark.

For detailed expected value calculations and how to identify +EV opportunities, see our expected value calculator.

Combining with line shopping:

Once you identify value relative to true odds, shopping for the best available price magnifies your edge. If the true odds are +165 and you can find +180 at one book versus +170 at another, taking the +180 captures additional value beyond the theoretical edge.

Line shopping is especially powerful when combined with vig analysis. Some books offer lower vig overall, meaning their market prices are closer to true odds. Consistently betting at lower-vig books compounds into significant savings. For strategies on finding the best lines, see our line shopping guide.

Vig Comparison Across Sportsbooks

Not all sportsbooks charge the same vig. Some deliberately offer reduced juice as a competitive advantage, while others load heavy margins on certain markets. Knowing where to find lower vig directly impacts your long-term results.

Standard vs reduced juice:

Book Type	Typical Spread Odds	Vig %	Cost per $1000 Wagered
Standard Book	-110 / -110	4.76%	$47.60
Reduced Juice Book	-105 / -105	2.44%	$24.40
Sharp Book	-102 / -102	0.98%	$9.80

The difference between -110 and -105 juice does not sound dramatic, but over $1000 wagered you save more than $23. Over a season with $50,000 in total action, that is over $1100 in reduced vig. Serious bettors seek out lower-juice options whenever possible.

Markets with variable vig:

Sportsbooks adjust vig based on market liquidity and betting patterns:

• Major sport spreads: Lowest vig (3-5%), highest competition
• Moneylines: Moderate vig (3-5%), varies by matchup
• Player props: Higher vig (5-10%), less liquid markets
• Futures: Highest vig (10-20%+), long-term liability
• Live betting: Variable vig, often higher during key moments

When you see a player prop at -120/-120, you are paying nearly 9% vig. The same prop might be -115/-115 elsewhere (6.5% vig) or -110/-115 (5.6% vig). Shopping matters even more in these higher-margin markets.

Identifying low-vig opportunities:

Calculate vig on markets you frequently bet before placing wagers. If your usual book charges 5% on NBA totals and another book charges 3.5%, use the lower-vig option. This takes seconds with the calculator and adds up substantially over time.

Vig Calculator Formulas for Excel and Google Sheets

Building a vig tracking spreadsheet helps you analyze markets systematically. These formulas let you calculate vig, true probabilities, and true odds for any two-way market.

Basic formulas (assuming American odds):

Implied probability from American odds (cell A1):

=IF(A1>0, 100/(A1+100), ABS(A1)/(ABS(A1)+100))

Total implied probability (A1 = Side A odds, B1 = Side B odds):

=IF(A1>0, 100/(A1+100), ABS(A1)/(ABS(A1)+100)) + IF(B1>0, 100/(B1+100), ABS(B1)/(ABS(B1)+100))

Vig percentage:

=Total Implied - 1 (formatted as percentage)

True probability for Side A:

=Side A Implied / Total Implied

True American odds from probability (C1 = true probability as decimal):

=IF(C1 less than 0.5, (1/C1-1)*100, -C1/(1-C1)*100)

Sample spreadsheet layout:

Column	Header	Formula
A	Side A Odds	(input)
B	Side B Odds	(input)
C	Side A Implied %	=IF(A2>0,100/(A2+100),ABS(A2)/(ABS(A2)+100))
D	Side B Implied %	=IF(B2>0,100/(B2+100),ABS(B2)/(ABS(B2)+100))
E	Total Implied	=C2+D2
F	Vig %	=E2-1
G	Side A True Prob	=C2/E2
H	Side B True Prob	=D2/E2
I	Side A True Odds	=IF(G2 less than 0.5,(1/G2-1)*100,-G2/(1-G2)*100)
J	Side B True Odds	=IF(H2 less than 0.5,(1/H2-1)*100,-H2/(1-H2)*100)

This setup lets you paste any two-way market odds and instantly see the vig, true probabilities, and no-vig odds. Add columns for your estimated probability and potential edge to create a complete value betting tracker.

Tracking vig over time:

Create a log of vig percentages by sport, market type, and sportsbook. Over time, patterns emerge showing which books offer the best value for specific bet types. This data helps you optimize where to place different categories of bets.

For more spreadsheet formulas related to odds conversion, see the Excel section in our odds converter guide.

Practical Applications of Vig Analysis

Beyond the math, here is how vig analysis applies to real betting decisions.

Evaluating same game parlay pricing:

SGPs are notorious for heavy vig. Sportsbooks correlate legs and adjust payouts, often loading 15-30% effective margin. While you cannot always calculate exact vig on correlated SGPs, you can compare the posted odds to what a naive parlay calculator shows.

If a 3-leg SGP pays +400 but an uncorrelated parlay of similar legs would pay +550, the difference represents additional juice beyond standard vig. Knowing this helps you avoid severely overpriced SGPs.

Identifying market inefficiencies:

Markets with higher vig often have more mispriced lines. Lower liquidity means less sharp money correcting prices, so your analysis has more opportunity to find edge. However, the higher vig means you need a bigger edge to overcome the margin.

The sweet spot is finding lower-vig markets where you have analytical edge. Major sport spreads and totals combine relatively low vig with enough complexity for skilled bettors to gain advantage.

Timing your bets:

Vig often decreases as game time approaches because more money flows into the market. Early week NFL lines might carry 5% vig that drops to 4% by game day. If you do not have a strong opinion on line movement, waiting for lower vig can be advantageous.

Conversely, if you expect the line to move against you, capturing the current number might outweigh the vig savings from waiting.

Bankroll management implications:

Higher vig means you need a higher win rate to profit. At -110/-110 (4.76% vig), you need to win approximately 52.4% of bets to break even. At -105/-105 (2.44% vig), you only need about 51.2% to break even.

That difference compounds dramatically over hundreds of bets. A bettor winning 54% of bets at -110 shows modest profit. The same 54% win rate at -105 shows significantly better returns because less is lost to vig on every wager.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is vig in sports betting?

Vig, short for vigorish, is the commission sportsbooks charge on bets. It is also called juice or margin. Vig ensures the sportsbook profits regardless of the outcome by building a house edge into the odds. Standard vig on point spreads is around 4.76% (reflected in -110/-110 odds), though it varies by market and sportsbook. Vig is why implied probabilities on both sides of a market add up to more than 100%.

How do you calculate vig from betting odds?

To calculate vig, convert each side of a two-way market to implied probability, add them together, then subtract 100%. For example, with -110/-110 odds, each side has 52.38% implied probability. Total: 104.76%. Vig: 104.76% minus 100% equals 4.76%. The vig calculator above does this math instantly for any odds combination.

What are true odds or no-vig odds?

True odds represent the fair price of a bet with the sportsbook margin removed. To find true odds, calculate implied probabilities for both sides, then normalize them so they total exactly 100%. Convert these normalized probabilities back to odds format. True odds show what the market would price without any commission, giving you an honest baseline for value assessment.

How do you remove juice from betting odds?

Remove juice by normalizing implied probabilities. First, calculate each side's implied probability from the market odds. Add them to find the total. Divide each side's probability by that total to get true (no-vig) probabilities that sum to 100%. Convert these back to American, decimal, or fractional odds. The result shows fair odds without sportsbook margin.

Why does vig matter for finding value bets?

Vig matters because market odds include the sportsbook's commission, making them worse than fair value by design. If you compare your probability estimate only to market implied probability, you underestimate the true threshold for value. Removing vig first reveals the honest benchmark. Value exists when your estimated probability exceeds the true (no-vig) probability, not just the inflated market probability.

What is the typical vig on NFL point spreads?

Standard NFL point spread vig is approximately 4.76%, reflected in -110/-110 odds on most sportsbooks. Some reduced-juice books offer -105/-105 (2.44% vig) or even lower. The vig represents about $4.76 in commission per $100 wagered at standard odds. Over a full season of betting, reduced-juice books can save serious bettors hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Do all sportsbooks charge the same vig?

No, vig varies significantly between sportsbooks and markets. Major retail books typically charge standard -110 juice on spreads, while some books specialize in reduced juice at -105 or lower. Props and futures generally carry higher vig (5-20%) than main markets. Comparing vig across books for your regular bet types helps identify where to get the best value consistently.

Can I profit long-term despite the vig?

Profitable betting requires winning at a rate that overcomes the vig. At -110 odds, you need to win approximately 52.4% of bets to break even. Skilled bettors who consistently identify value relative to true odds can win at rates that generate profit after vig. Using lower-vig sportsbooks, shopping for the best lines, and focusing on markets where you have analytical edge all help maximize long-term results despite the house margin.