Bowling Economy Rate Calculator
Calculate runs conceded per over — T20, ODI & Test
Enter total runs conceded by the bowler.
Enter overs bowled in cricket notation (e.g., 8.3 = 8 overs 3 balls). Never use 6+ after the dot.
Click Calculate — overs are converted to decimal automatically.
Example: 42 runs in 8.3 overs → 4.94 — "Excellent"
What Is Bowling Economy Rate in Cricket?
Bowling economy rate is the average number of runs a bowler concedes per over. It is the bowling counterpart to batting run rate — both use the same formula but from opposite perspectives. A lower economy rate means the bowler is harder to score off, making them more valuable in limited-overs cricket where every run matters.
Economy rate is most relevant in T20 and ODI cricket, where teams have a limited number of overs. In Test cricket, wicket-taking ability and control are often weighted more heavily, but economy rate still matters in the context of match situations like a rearguard action or a declaration chase.
The economy rate is calculated using cricket's unique over notation. An input of 8.3 means 8 complete overs plus 3 additional balls — which equals 51 balls total, or 8.5 decimal overs. Our calculator handles this conversion automatically.
Economy Rate Benchmarks by Format
Economy Rate Formula with Worked Examples
Cricket Over Notation:
8.3 overs = 8 complete overs + 3 balls = 51 balls = 8.5 decimal overs
Example 1 — T20 Spell:
28 runs in 4.0 overs
Economy = 28 ÷ 4.0 = 7.00 → Good (T20)
Example 2 — ODI Spell:
42 runs in 8.3 overs → 8.5 decimal
Economy = 42 ÷ 8.5 = 4.94 → Excellent (ODI)
Example 3 — Test Spell:
65 runs in 22.0 overs
Economy = 65 ÷ 22.0 = 2.95 → Good (Test)
Economy rate includes all runs scored off the bat plus extras attributed to the bowler (wides and no-balls). Byes and leg-byes are charged to the fielding side, not the bowler, so they are typically excluded from economy rate calculations in official scorecards.
Bowling Economy Rate FAQs
What is bowling economy rate in cricket?
Bowling economy rate is the average runs conceded per over, calculated as Runs Conceded ÷ Overs Bowled. A lower economy rate is better — it means batters find it hard to score off the bowler. It is the bowling equivalent of run rate and is a key metric in T20 and ODI cricket analysis.
What is a good economy rate in T20 cricket?
In T20 cricket, under 7.00 runs per over is excellent, 7–8.5 is good, 8.5–10 is average, and above 10 is very expensive. Elite T20 bowlers like Rashid Khan and Jasprit Bumrah have maintained career T20I economy rates below 6.5, which is considered world-class at the highest level.
What is a good economy rate in ODI cricket?
In ODI cricket, under 4.50 is exceptional, 4.50–5.50 is good, 5.50–6.50 is average, and above 6.50 is expensive. Great ODI bowlers like Muttiah Muralitharan and Glenn McGrath maintained career economy rates below 4.00, which is considered elite in 50-over cricket.
How do I enter overs in cricket notation?
Use the standard dot notation: 8.3 means 8 complete overs and 3 additional balls. The number before the decimal is complete overs; the number after is extra balls (must be 0–5, never 6). Our calculator converts this to decimal automatically: 8.3 → 8 + 3/6 = 8.5 decimal overs.
What is the difference between economy rate and strike rate for bowlers?
Economy rate measures runs per over — how expensive a bowler is. Bowling strike rate measures balls per wicket — how quickly they take wickets. A good T20 bowler needs a low economy rate. A good Test bowler might accept a moderate economy rate if they take wickets regularly. The ideal bowler excels at both.
Do wides and no-balls count in economy rate?
Yes — wides and no-balls are charged to the bowler's economy rate because they are the bowler's error. They add runs to the conceded total. Byes and leg-byes are typically not charged to the bowler as they result from fielding/keeping actions, not bowling errors. So wides conceded increase economy rate directly.
Is economy rate or wickets more important in T20 cricket?
Both matter, but economy rate is often considered more important in T20 cricket because containing runs directly prevents the opposition from setting a challenging total. A bowler who concedes 12 runs per over but takes wickets can still be very damaging. Most analysts look at a combination: Impact Score = (wickets taken × value) minus runs conceded above a target rate.
Is any data stored when I use this calculator?
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to any server, stored, or tracked. No cookies, no analytics, no accounts required.