Definition
American odds (also called moneyline odds) are the standard odds format in the United States. They use positive (+) and negative (-) numbers based on a $100 reference point. Positive odds show how much profit you earn on a $100 bet; negative odds show how much you need to stake to win $100.
How It Works
A line of +150 means a $100 bet returns $150 in profit (plus your $100 stake back). A line of -200 means you must bet $200 to earn $100 in profit. The crossover point +100 / -100 corresponds to decimal odds of 2.00, or a 50% implied probability.
Example
NBA: Lakers vs Celtics
- Lakers: -160 (favorite)
- Celtics: +140 (underdog)
Betting $160 on the Lakers (-160): profit if won = $100, total return = $260, equivalent decimal odds = 1.625.
Betting $100 on the Celtics (+140): profit if won = $140, total return = $240, equivalent decimal odds = 2.40.
Why It Matters
American odds are essential knowledge for anyone betting on US sports (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) or using American sportsbooks. They make it instantly clear who the favorite and underdog are, and the magnitude of the number tells you how strong the market considers the advantage to be. Understanding the conversion between American, decimal, and fractional formats lets you compare odds across international bookmakers.
Use our odds converter to switch instantly between American, decimal, and fractional formats and compare odds across international bookmakers.