How to use the required run rate calculator
- Enter the target, which is the number of runs needed to win.
- Enter the current score and the number of overs in the innings, such as 20 or 50.
- Enter the overs bowled in cricket style: 12.3 means 12 overs and 3 balls.
- Read the required run rate, the balls left and the current run rate.
Formula
Runs needed = target - current score
Balls left = overs in the innings x 6 - balls bowled
Required run rate = runs needed x 6 / balls left (runs per over)
Current run rate = score x 6 / balls bowled. Overs are converted to balls first, because 12.3 is 12 and a half overs, not 12.3 in decimal.
A 180 run chase with 10 overs gone
The target is 180 and the score is 60 after 10 overs of a 20 over innings. Runs needed are 180 - 60 = 120 and balls left are 120 - 60 = 60, which is 10 overs. The required run rate is 120 x 6 / 60 = 12.00 runs per over.
The current run rate is 60 x 6 / 60 = 6.00, so the batting side must score twice as fast as it has. In another case, needing 50 with 17.5 overs bowled leaves 13 balls, and the required rate is 50 x 6 / 13 = 23.08.
Reading overs correctly
In cricket the digit after the point is the number of balls in the current over, from 0 to 5. So 17.5 is 17 overs and 5 balls, which is 107 balls, and the next ball finishes the 18th over. The tool rejects 10.6 because an over has only six balls, and converts everything to balls before dividing, so the rate is exact.
The required run rate is the average number of runs per over the batting side must score from now on. If it is higher than the current run rate, the side must speed up. If it is above what is realistically possible for the format, a win becomes very unlikely, though the tool does not judge that.
Limits
This assumes six balls per over and a plain target. It does not account for rain rules or revised targets, penalty runs, wickets in hand, powerplay restrictions or a shortened innings, so use the target set by the match officials. If the target is already reached, the tool says so, and if no balls remain with runs still needed, it explains that the target cannot be reached.
Related tools include the cricket batting average calculator, the average calculator, the ratio calculator and the baseball stats calculator.
Assumptions and limits
- There are six balls per over, and overs are entered in cricket style.
- The target is the number of runs needed to win and is entered by you.
- Wickets in hand, rain adjustments and other rules are not modeled.
- Rates are shown to two decimals, rounded half up.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate the required run rate?
Divide the runs still needed by the overs left. Needing 120 from 10 overs is 12 runs per over.
What does 12.3 overs mean?
It means 12 overs and 3 balls, or 75 balls. The digit after the point counts balls, not tenths.
What is the target in a chase?
It is the number of runs needed to win, normally one more than the first innings total. Enter the figure your match uses.
Does the calculator handle rain rules?
No. It does only the arithmetic for the target and overs you enter, so use the revised target your officials give you.