How to use an arbitrage betting calculator
Before incorporating our arbitrage betting calculator into your research, you must understand how it functions. First, you need to be armed with various inputs. That includes gathering the odds (usually moneyline) for each possible outcome on the same sporting event/match. However, it doesn’t have to be tedious; you don’t necessarily need to locate the odds manually.
At TheGruelingTruth.com, we have handy tools that can help you find quality odds across the best US betting sites. While at it, opt for platforms with the best
sportsbook promotions—you’ll need them to minimize your betting expenditure. Among the promotions worth noting are free bets and boosted odds to get the most out of arbitrage betting.
Next, you need to settle on the total amount you intend to wager on the possible outcomes. After you finalize making the above findings, open our Arbitrage sports betting calculator and follow these simple steps:
- Find (select) a game and bet type
– For example, you can opt for the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals. Then, moneyline market/bet type.
- Identify the odds prices for both outcomes on two sportsbooks
– With the game settled on. Next is getting the best odds at two different sportsbooks. Get the odds for one team to win at Site A and the other at Site B (for the win).
- Key in the prices for each outcome in the empty fields –
Having found the odds for both outcomes, you only need to feed these into the empty boxes provided on our calculator.
- Enter the total wager you wish to bet –
Indicate the combined (total) amount of money you are willing to wager on the events.
- Hit the calculate button –
Initiate the computation process to get the findings based on the calculator’s results.
Our arbs calculator will run the numbers and tell you if an opportunity for arbitrage betting exists. Any positive value shows an arbitrage opportunity, while a negative (-) value shows a bad arbitrage opportunity.
Example
To better reinforce the idea of how our calculator works, consider a high-stakes NBA game between the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Milwaukee Bucks. First, find the moneyline odds on two of the
best US sportsbooks, for example:
- Cavaliers:
+150 at site A
- Bucks:
-125 at site B
With the odds at hand, feed these into our calculator. After that, check/tick your bias (the team you believe will win) and then type in the wager you’re working with, for instance, $100. With this information on our Arb calculator, here is what you will come up with:
| Odds | Stake | Payout |
| Bet 1 (Cavaliers): | 150 | $41.86 | $104.65 |
| Bet 2 (Bucks): | -125 | $58.14 | $104.65 |
| Total stake: | $100 | | |
| Total payout: | $104.65 | | |
| Total profit: | $4.65 | | |
| ROI: | 4.65% | | |
As shown above, our Return on Investment (ROI), in this case, is 4.65%, which is on the positive! Meaning, you’re guaranteed a return/profit regardless of the outcome. However, if it were to equate to a negative, it would mean that this is not a favorable bet and will ultimately result in a loss.
Another note is that the bet amounts differ for the two bets. This is a key factor for achieving a positive return—and that’s where our calculator comes in. You can use the tool to calculate the ideal bet amount for each wager in order to get a guaranteed profit.
Bet now
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings Sportsbook customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 5/3/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 4/26/26 at 11:59 PM ET.
Bet now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat – CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). “Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support. 21+ and present in MA. Connect with a PlayWell Advisor at PlayWell.org. Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook
BetMGM Review
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Arbitrage betting explained
Arbitrage betting is a go-to strategy among expert gamblers that entails leveraging odds discrepancies on different sportsbooks (for the same game) to guarantee returns regardless of the results. As shown in this reading, the best/simplest example would be betting on both teams for the win—at two betting sites with the best odds on the sporting event.
Still, one may ask, what’s the difference between arbitrage betting and hedging?
Key difference: arbitrage vs. hedge betting
Admittedly, getting confused about the two betting strategies is not far-fetched. But we have just the one-liner to set the record straight! While we have clarified what you get with arbs betting, hedging, on the other hand, applies to an existing bet. In practice, it reduces a bet’s potential risk or loss, by placing a second bet against the original wager.
A good example of hedging a bet would be, say, in a game between the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, with the Bears as the favorites at odds of -120. With this as your original bet (on a $100 wager) and you get cold feet as the match progresses, you can choose to hedge your bet to minimize the risk or potential losses. To hedge your bet, you would, in this instance, bet on the Cowboys to win at the odds of +110.
For your hedging to work, you would need to place a bet of $47.62 on the Cowboys at odds of +110. This would churn out a total payout of $100, and our hedge profit would be $0, thereby effectively mitigating our losses. However, in the same scenario, should the Bears win, we’ll get a potential profit of $83.33, and our hedge profit will stand at ($83.33-$47.62=$35.71) $35.71.
Here are our favorite bookies in 2026
1.
New Customers: Bet $5+ Get $300 in Bonus Bets Instantly
Bet now
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings Sportsbook customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 5/3/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 4/26/26 at 11:59 PM ET.
2.
New Users – Bet $5 Get $250 If Your Bet Wins!
Bet now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat – CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). “Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support. 21+ and present in MA. Connect with a PlayWell Advisor at PlayWell.org. Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook
3.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
4.
Bet $5 Get $200 FanCash immediately
Bet now
New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. Must toggle on this promotion in your bet slip and wager $5+ cash on any market (min. odds -500) within 7 days of account opening to receive $200 in FanCash. Promotional FanCash expires 7 days from issuance (at 11:59pm ET). Terms, including FanCash terms apply-see Fanatics Sportsbook app.
5.
Best Alternative
Open DraftKings
Why is this calculator useful
At this point, you may wonder if the arbitrage bet calculator is helpful. The tool has several benefits, as discussed below.
Helps identify arbitrage opportunities
Our calculator’s primary purpose is to help you identify arbitrage opportunities based on the inputs you provide.
Computes the ideal betting stake
Some arbitrage opportunities are only profitable based on your wager. In this regard, our calculator provides the opportune stake you need to wager for the best outcome.
Our arbitrage betting calculator saves time spent finding arbitrage opportunities. Your only task is identifying odds from different sportsbooks; our calculator does the rest.
With our sports betting arbitrage calculator, you potentially reduce the risk of staking too much of your own bankroll. The arbitrage calculator tells you whether you can make a return regardless of the outcome.
What other betting calculators are available
At TheGruelingTruth.com, we understand the significance of having all of your betting calculators and tools at your disposal when wagering on different games. That said, we have all sorts of betting calculators you can use for free, including:
| Calculator | Description |
| Odds value calculator | Based on the probability of an event occurring, this calculator will help you compute the value you’d expect from a bet. |
| Betting odds converter | With this tool you can convert your American odds to their decimal or fractional equivalents and vice versa. |
| Betting Odds Calculator | As implied in the name, this is your one-stop calculator to determine your potential payout based on your stake and odds. |
| Hold Calculator | What’s the commission (hold) a sportsbook is taking from your bet? Use our tool to determine the sportsbook’s margin before settling on your ideal betting site. |
| Tricast calculators | You can use our tricast calculator to determine the wager, returns, and likely profits expected from the trifecta bet you wish to place. |
| Parlay calculator | If you are placing a parlay bet, you need the parlay calculator to determine the total odds and payout for your parlay bet. |
| Spread to moneyline converter | True to its name, the moneyline converter allows you to compute the estimated value of a point spread bet, making it possible to spot better market prices and take advantage of them. |
| Hedging calculator | This tool is for hedging as it helps you determine how much money you need to bet to get returns on your hedge bets. |
Conclusion – arb betting calculators can be a useful strategy
Our arbitrage betting calculator is the perfect co-pilot. Using this free tool, you can identify odds discrepancies among sportsbooks and use the information to your edge. That is by placing winning bets on a select outcome.
Once you identify the suitable games and sportsbooks, all you need to do is key in a few details in the slots provided on our arb calculator to determine whether the game has arbitraging opportunities and, if so, what stake to wager for the best outcome. Therefore, whenever you find yourself knee-deep in a sea of odds, use our arbitrage bet calculator for the best outcome.
Our recommended betting bonuses
1.
New Customers: Bet $5+ Get $300 in Bonus Bets Instantly
Min. Deposit: 5
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings Sportsbook customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 5/3/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 4/26/26 at 11:59 PM ET.
2.
New Users – Bet $5 Get $250 If Your Bet Wins!
Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: 5
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat – CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). “Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support. 21+ and present in MA. Connect with a PlayWell Advisor at PlayWell.org. Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook
3.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Min. Deposit: $5
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
4.
Bet $5 Get $200 FanCash immediately
New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. Must toggle on this promotion in your bet slip and wager $5+ cash on any market (min. odds -500) within 7 days of account opening to receive $200 in FanCash. Promotional FanCash expires 7 days from issuance (at 11:59pm ET). Terms, including FanCash terms apply-see Fanatics Sportsbook app.
5.
Best Alternative
Open DraftKings
FAQs
🔢 How does the arbitrage calculator work?
The arbitrage calculator computes the probability of an arbitraging opportunity once you input the odds of a game from different sportsbooks.
⚖️ Is arbitrage betting legal?
Yes, arbitrage betting is legal. But it is key that you check the stipulations of the sportsbook you are using to be sure that they allow it.
⏱️ How long does it take for the arbitrage betting calculator to provide results?
The arbitrage betting calculator is instant. Therefore, you will get the results immediately once you hit the compute button.
💵 How much money do I need for arbitrage betting?
The amount you need to wager for arbitrage betting depends on the arbing opportunity. Our calculator will tell you how much to bet for the best outcome.
