Calculate a Forecast
Forecast (exacta) racing payout from two horses' prices and stake.
How to Use This Calculator
- Pick the forecast type — straight (one exact 1-2 order) or reverse (either order)
- Enter the odds of the horse you’ve tipped for 1st place
- Enter the odds of the horse you’ve tipped for 2nd place
- Set your unit stake
- Instantly see total stake, combined odds, return and profit
Formula
Combined Odds = Odds₁ × Odds₂
Straight Forecast: 1 bet, total stake = unit stake.
Reverse Forecast: 2 bets (both orders), total stake = 2 × unit stake. Only the correct order wins; payout = unit stake × combined odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a forecast bet?
A forecast (known as an exacta in the US) is a bet on which two horses finish 1st and 2nd in a race. A straight forecast needs the exact order; a reverse forecast covers both orders for double the stake.
How is a forecast different from each-way?
Each-way is two standalone bets (one to win, one to place) on a single horse. A forecast is one bet locking in how two horses’ finishing spots relate. Forecasts pay far more but win far less often.
Straight or reverse — which should I pick?
Go straight when you’ve got a firm read on the winner. Go reverse when you reckon two horses fill 1st and 2nd but you can’t call the order — you double the stake but cover both ways.
Do forecast odds just equal the multiplied book odds?
Most UK bookmakers settle on the Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) dividends declared by Tote/SP, not straight multiplied odds. Multiplied odds make a handy approximation, but real payouts can swing ±10-20% depending on the field strength formula in play.