CalcZero

Enter a spread (e.g., -3.5 for favorite, 3.5 for underdog)

American Odds
-160
Decimal Odds
1.63
Win Probability
61.5%
A team favored by 3 points must win by more than 3 to cover the spread.
Spread -3.5-175 Moneyline
⚠️ Estimates based on standard NFL key number distributions. Actual odds vary by sportsbook and game context.

Analyzing Betting Value: Spread vs. Moneyline

This tool converts NFL point spreads into moneyline odds. It helps you determine if it is more profitable to bet a team to cover the spread or to win outright.

The converter shows you the "fair" moneyline for any given spread. For example, if a team is favored by 7 points, their moneyline equivalent would be approximately -320, implying about a 76% chance of winning outright.

Sportsbooks don't always price spreads and moneylines consistently. By comparing the converted odds to actual sportsbook lines, you can identify which bet type offers better value for a particular game. A team might be -7 on the spread but only -280 on the moneyline—meaning the moneyline is actually better value than standard conversion suggests.

How to Use This Calculator

  • Select conversion type: Use the first tab for spreads to moneylines, or the second tab for moneylines to spreads.
  • Enter the point spread: Use negative numbers for favorites (e.g., -3.5) or positive for underdogs (e.g., +7). Accepts half-point increments from -21 to +21.
  • View results: See American odds, decimal odds, and implied win probability instantly.
  • Compare to sportsbook lines: Check if actual odds offer better value than the calculated fair price.

Now that you see the raw odds, find out how much the sportsbook is charging you for this bet using our Vig Calculator.

NFL Key Scoring Margins

In NFL betting, "key numbers" are the most common margins of victory based on the sport's scoring system. Spreads that cross these numbers have significantly different values, which is why moneyline odds jump more dramatically at these thresholds.

  • 3 — One field goal. About 15% of NFL games land on this number.
  • 7 — One touchdown with extra point. About 9% of games end with this margin.
  • 6 — Touchdown without extra point, or two field goals.
  • 10 — Touchdown plus field goal.
  • 13 — Touchdown plus two field goals.
  • 14 — Two touchdowns.
  • 17 — Two touchdowns plus field goal.

The difference between -2.5 and -3.5 is much more meaningful than -4.5 to -5.5 because you're crossing the crucial number 3. Use this knowledge when buying or selling half-points on your bets.

Spread vs Moneyline Betting: When to Use Each

Bet the Spread Bet the Moneyline
  • You believe a favorite will win but not by a large margin
  • You want to back an underdog you think will keep it close
  • You prefer balanced odds (typically -110 on both sides)
  • You want more action for less risk on heavy favorites
  • You're confident in the outright winner but worried about covering
  • Heavy favorites that often win but don't cover large spreads
  • You believe an underdog might pull off an upset
  • Building parlays where you only need teams to win

Example: If a team is -7 (-110) on the spread and -320 on the moneyline, consider what happens if they win by 3-6 points. The spread bet loses, but a moneyline bet wins. If you believe the team is likely to win but might not cover 7, the moneyline could be the smarter play despite the higher juice.

Win Probability vs. Spread Cost

Point spreads represent the market's prediction of a team's margin of victory. The larger the spread, the higher the implied probability that the favorite wins outright. However, the relationship isn't linear—as spreads get higher, the probability of winning increases, but the cost (moneyline price) rises steeply.

For instance, moving from a -3 to a -7 spread increases win probability from about 61.5% to 76.2%—roughly 15 percentage points. But moving from -14 to -17 (the same 4-point difference) only increases probability from about 89% to 92%—just 3 percentage points. This is why moneyline odds get increasingly expensive for large favorites.

Remember that covering the spread and winning outright are different things. A -7 favorite has about a 76% chance of winning but only about a 50% chance of covering (by design, since the spread is set to create balanced action). This is why spread-to-moneyline conversion matters: it separates win probability from cover probability, helping you choose the right bet type for your prediction.

Frequently Asked Questions

A -3 point spread typically converts to approximately -160 moneyline odds, representing about a 61.5% implied win probability. The number 3 is a key number in NFL betting because many games are decided by a field goal, making -3 spreads particularly significant when evaluating betting value.
Seven is the second most common margin of victory in NFL games because it represents a touchdown with an extra point. Approximately 9% of NFL games land exactly on 7, making it crucial for spread bettors to understand how -7 affects their bets. When a spread crosses 7, the moneyline equivalent changes significantly—from about -280 at -6.5 to -360 at -7.5.
This converter is calibrated specifically for NFL betting patterns. College football has different scoring distributions and key numbers due to overtime rules, wider talent gaps between teams, and different strategic tendencies. While the general principles apply, you should expect less accuracy for college games, especially for very large spreads where the NFL rarely sees similar mismatches.
This converter provides estimates based on historical NFL data and standard key number distributions. Actual sportsbook odds will vary based on public betting action, injury news, weather conditions, home/away splits, and other factors. Use these conversions as a reference tool and starting point for comparison shopping, not as exact predictions of what odds should be.
A -3 spread means you can push (tie) if the favorite wins by exactly 3, getting your money back. A -3.5 spread eliminates the push possibility—you either win or lose. That half-point across the key number of 3 significantly changes your win probability and the corresponding moneyline odds. Going from -3 to -3.5 typically moves the moneyline from about -160 to -175, reflecting the elimination of the push scenario.
For negative American odds (like -160), divide 100 by the odds number and multiply by your bet. For example, a $100 bet at -160 wins $62.50 (100/160 × 100). For positive odds, multiply your bet by the odds divided by 100. So +150 odds on a $100 bet wins $150.