Free Bet Calculator
Work out exactly what a free bet is worth. Enter the free bet amount and your odds to see potential returns and the conversion rate — the share of the free bet you turn into real, withdrawable cash.
Almost all UK free bets are Stake Not Returned (SNR): you keep the winnings but not the free bet stake itself. Check the promotion terms if unsure.
Your Results
Conversion rate = cash returned ÷ free bet amount. It tells you how much of the nominal free bet value you actually extract.
How Free Bet Returns Are Calculated
With a Stake Not Returned (SNR) free bet, your winnings are calculated as free bet amount × (odds − 1). A £25 free bet at decimal odds of 4.00 returns £25 × 3.00 = £75.00 in cash. The £25 stake itself is never paid back — that is the key difference from betting your own money.
With the much rarer Stake Returned (SR) free bet, the calculation is the same as a normal bet: free bet amount × odds. The same £25 at 4.00 would return £100.00.
Why Odds Choice Matters So Much
Because the stake is not returned, short odds waste most of an SNR free bet: at 1.50 you would convert only a third of its face value. Longer odds push the conversion rate up, at the cost of a lower chance of winning. This table shows a £25 SNR free bet at different odds:
| Decimal Odds | Cash if Won | Conversion |
|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | £25.00 | 50% |
| 3.00 | £50.00 | 67% |
| 4.00 | £75.00 | 75% |
| 6.00 | £125.00 | 83% |
| 10.00 | £225.00 | 90% |
A common middle ground is the 3.50–6.00 range: meaningful conversion without relying on outsiders. Whatever you choose, treat a free bet as a one-off bonus, not a reason to bet more than you otherwise would.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get the free bet stake back if I win?
Almost never. UK bookmakers issue free bets as Stake Not Returned by default, so a winning £25 free bet at 4.00 pays £75.00, not £100.00. Only a Stake Returned promotion — clearly stated in the terms — pays the stake back too.
What is a good conversion rate for a free bet?
Simply placing an SNR free bet at odds of 4.00 converts 75% of its face value if it wins, but nothing if it loses. Bettors who hedge on a betting exchange typically lock in around 70–80% of the face value as guaranteed profit regardless of the result.
Can I withdraw free bet winnings straight away?
Winnings from a straightforward free bet are usually withdrawable cash with no wagering requirement. Bonus funds are different — if the offer credits bonus money instead, check the wagering terms with our Wagering Requirement Calculator.
Do free bets work on accumulators?
Usually yes, and the same SNR maths applies to the combined odds. Use the Accumulator Calculator to work out combined odds first, then enter them here.
Free bets are a marketing tool: enjoy the value, but never chase losses or bet beyond your means. 18+. If gambling stops being fun, see our responsible gambling resources.