Bankroll & Unit Size Calculator
Figure out your recommended flat-bet unit size, and convert between units and dollars for any bet. New to units? Read our guide to what a unit is in sports betting.
Convert Units to Dollars
Convert Dollars to Units
What Is a Betting Unit and Why It Matters
A "unit" is simply a fixed percentage of your total bankroll, used as your standard bet size instead of a flat dollar amount. If your unit is 2% of a $1,000 bankroll, one unit equals $20 — whether you're betting on a heavy favorite or a live underdog. Sizing bets in units keeps your risk consistent and stops a bad week from snowballing into a blown bankroll.
How to Calculate Your Unit Size
Formula: Bankroll × Unit % = Unit Size in dollars. A $2,000 bankroll at a 2% unit size means each unit is worth $40. Most disciplined bettors size their unit between 1% and 3% of their total bankroll, and keep it flat rather than increasing bet size after a hot streak or chasing losses after a cold one.
To size an individual bet, decide how many units the pick is worth (most bettors use 0.5 to 2 units depending on confidence) and multiply by your unit size. A 1.5-unit play at a $40 unit size is a $60 bet.
Flat Betting vs. Percentage Betting vs. Kelly Criterion
Flat betting keeps your unit size fixed in dollars until you formally reassess your bankroll (say, monthly). Percentage betting recalculates your unit after every single bet, which can shrink your stakes too aggressively during a downswing. The Kelly Criterion sizes bets based on your edge and odds, but it's easy to overestimate your edge and oversize as a result. For most MMA bettors, flat betting at 1-3% of bankroll, reassessed periodically, is the simplest way to survive variance.
Unit Size Reference Table
$500 bankroll → 1% unit = $5 · 2% unit = $10 · 3% unit = $15.
$1,000 bankroll → 1% unit = $10 · 2% unit = $20 · 3% unit = $30.
$2,500 bankroll → 1% unit = $25 · 2% unit = $50 · 3% unit = $75.
$5,000 bankroll → 1% unit = $50 · 2% unit = $100 · 3% unit = $150.
$10,000 bankroll → 1% unit = $100 · 2% unit = $200 · 3% unit = $300.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good unit size for beginners?
Most beginners are best served by a 1-2% unit size. It's small enough to survive a losing streak while you're still learning bankroll discipline, but large enough to matter when you win.
Should I increase my unit size after winning?
Not immediately. Reassess your bankroll and unit size on a set schedule — monthly is common — rather than adjusting after every win or loss, which leads to chasing variance instead of following a plan.
What is the 1-3% rule in sports betting?
It's a common guideline that caps a single unit at 1% to 3% of your total bankroll, keeping any individual bet from meaningfully damaging your bankroll even during a losing stretch.
How many units should I bet on a single fight?
Most bettors scale bet size with confidence, typically staking 0.5 to 2 units per fight. Reserve anything above 2 units for your highest-conviction plays.
Do units account for odds or juice?
No — units describe how much you risk, not your potential return. A 1-unit bet at -110 and a 1-unit bet at +150 both risk the same dollar amount, but pay out differently. Use the odds converter to see exact payouts at any price.