Calculate WHIP
WHIP = (Walks + Hits) ÷ Innings Pitched. Enter IP in baseball notation: 5.2 = 5⅔ innings (17 outs), not 5.2.
WHIP
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Related Statistics
ERA, K/9, BB/9, and K/BB are computed automatically from the same input. Add ER and K when available.
| Statistic | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| ERA | ER × 9 / IP | – |
| K/9 | K × 9 / IP | – |
| BB/9 | BB × 9 / IP | – |
| K/BB | K / BB | – |
| Baserunners / 9 IP | WHIP × 9 | – |
Innings Pitched Notation
The digit after the decimal = number of outs, not a decimal fraction.
| Notation | Meaning | Total Outs |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | 5 full innings | 15 |
| 5.1 | 5 innings + 1 out (5⅓) | 16 |
| 5.2 | 5 innings + 2 outs (5⅔) | 17 |
Worked Examples (Verified)
Example 1 — Pedro Martínez, 2000 season
- H = 128, BB = 32, IP = 217.0 → total outs = 217 × 3 = 651
- Baserunners = 128 + 32 = 160
- WHIP = 160 × 3 / 651 = 480 / 651 = 0.737 → rating Elite
Matches the baseball-reference record: 0.737, the lowest single-season WHIP of the live-ball era.
Example 2 — Partial IP notation
- H = 4, BB = 2, IP = 5.2 → total outs = 5 × 3 + 2 = 17 (5⅔ innings, not 5.2)
- Baserunners = 4 + 2 = 6
- WHIP = 6 × 3 / 17 = 18 / 17 = 1.0588 → 1.059 → rating Great
- Baserunners per 9 IP = 1.059 × 9 = 9.53
Example 3 — What-if: lower WHIP to 1.00
- H = 140, BB = 60, IP = 180.0 → WHIP = 200 / 180 = 1.111 (Average)
- Full scoreless innings needed: 200 / 1.00 − 180 = 20 innings (no hits, no walks)
- Verification: 200 / (180 + 20) = 200 / 200 = 1.000 ≤ target ✓
Example 4 — Related statistics panel
- IP = 182.1 → total outs = 182 × 3 + 1 = 547; H = 150, BB = 55, ER = 70, K = 190
- WHIP = 205 × 3 / 547 = 615 / 547 = 1.1243 → 1.124 (Good)
- ERA = 70 × 27 / 547 = 3.4552 → 3.46
- K/9 = 190 × 27 / 547 = 9.3784 → 9.38; BB/9 = 55 × 27 / 547 = 2.7148 → 2.71
- K/BB = 190 / 55 = 3.4545 → 3.45; Baserunners/9 = 1.124 × 9 = 10.12
Frequently Asked Questions
Ratings (Elite, Great, etc.) are a general guide, not official MLB standards.
What is WHIP in baseball?
WHIP stands for Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched. According to baseball-reference, WHIP = (Walks + Hits) / Innings Pitched. This statistic measures how many baserunners a pitcher allows per inning via walks and hits. The lower the WHIP, the better the pitcher's performance.
How do you calculate WHIP?
Add up the hits (H) and walks (BB) allowed by the pitcher, then divide by innings pitched (IP). Example: 128 hits + 32 walks = 160, divided by 217.0 IP gives a WHIP of 0.737. Remember, baseball IP notation is not an ordinary decimal: 5.2 means 5 innings + 2 outs (5 and two-thirds innings).
What does 5.2 IP mean in baseball statistics?
In baseball notation, the digit after the decimal indicates the number of outs, not a decimal fraction. 5.0 = 5 full innings (15 outs), 5.1 = 5 innings + 1 out (16 outs, or 5 and one-third innings), 5.2 = 5 innings + 2 outs (17 outs, or 5 and two-thirds innings). This calculator converts that notation to total outs before dividing.
What WHIP is considered good?
As a general guide: below 1.00 is considered elite, 1.00–1.10 great, 1.10–1.20 good, 1.20–1.30 average, 1.30–1.40 below average, and 1.40 and above poor. The 2024 MLB league average was about 1.27. These numbers are rough guides, not official MLB standards, and era context and the pitcher's role also matter.
Is hit-by-pitch (HBP) counted in WHIP?
No. WHIP only counts hits and walks. The statistic was created by writer Daniel Okrent in 1979, and hit-by-pitch was excluded because daily newspapers at the time did not list HBP in box scores. Errors and fielder's choices are not counted either.
What is the difference between WHIP and ERA?
ERA (Earned Run Average) measures earned runs allowed per 9 innings, while WHIP measures baserunners allowed per inning. WHIP does not care whether those runners eventually score, so it more purely measures a pitcher's ability to keep the bases empty and is unaffected by fielding errors.
How can I lower my WHIP?
The only way to lower WHIP is to allow fewer hits and walks per inning. Use the Target WHIP field in this calculator: the calculator computes how many full scoreless innings (no hits and no walks) are needed to bring WHIP down to that target.
Who holds the best WHIP record?
Pedro Martinez holds the live-ball era single-season WHIP record: 0.737 in the 2000 season with the Boston Red Sox (128 hits + 32 walks in 217.0 innings). According to baseball-reference, it is the lowest single-season WHIP of all time.
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