Over/Under Goals Betting Explained: 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5
Read our simple guide explaining what the over/under goals market is, how to place bets on this market, and which bookies offer the best odds.
Betting on Over/Under Goals
Put simply, when you bet on the over/under X.5 goals market, you are betting on the total number of goals in a game for both teams. The .5 decimals are present in all of the over/under goals markets, and it shows there is no possibility for a draw or refund in these markets.
Whatever number you opt for, such as 3.5, you have to add/subtract 0.5 to get your answer if you bet over/under. Betting on over would require at least 4 goals to be scored (3.5 + 0.5 = 4), while betting on under would mean no more than 3 goals (3.5 - 0.5 = 3).
The .5 decimals are present because if the numbers were whole, say 2, the bookie would need to add a third option for exactly 2 goals to be scored. You can bet on exact goal markets, but this option is not available in the traditional over/under markets.
This market usually covers 90 minutes plus added time and not extra time, unless that is specifically mentioned on the betting site. As you can see in the image above, it's also possible to limit the selection to one half rather than the entire game.
Over/Under Goals in Practice
| ⚽ Market | 📈 Min. Goals for Over to Win | 📉 Max. Goals for Under to Win |
|---|---|---|
| Over/Under 0.5 Goals | 1 | 0 |
| Over/Under 1.5 Goals | 2 | 1 |
| Over/Under 2.5 Goals | 3 | 2 |
| Over/Under 3.5 Goals | 4 | 3 |
| Over/Under 4.5 Goals | 5 | 4 |
Over Goals Example
Let's say Manchester City and Liverpool are taking on each other in a Premier League game. Both teams have scored a lot of goals during the season, though struggling defensively, and you expect the clash to be a high-scoring affair. Therefore, you decide to place a bet on over 3.5 goals in the game.
The game finishes 2-2, with both teams walking away with a point, and you cash in the winnings as more than 3.5 goals were scored (a total of 4, which was the minimum for the bet to win). However, had the game ended 2-1 either way, your bet would have lost.
Under Goals Example
Let's say that two Italian teams - AC Milan and Juventus - will square off in the prestigious Champions League. You expect one team to come out on top, but both of them have done well defensively recently. Therefore, you place a bet on under 1.5 goals in the game.
It turns out to be the right move as the game is won by AC Milan after a late winner, 1-0, with your selection coming in. Had there been one more goal in the game, scored by Milan or Juventus, then the bet would have lost.
Even in a game where both teams are struggling, therefore, an under 1.5 goals could collapse rather easily.
Bookies With the Best Margins
When placing over/under goals bets, or any other bet types for that matter, it's important to do so on a betting site that offers good margins. Put shortly, this is the fee that a bookmaker charges on winnings, and we have listed a few of the best ones below (through our tests).
| Operator | Welcome Offer | Bonus Code | Claim Offer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Welcome Offer Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | No code required | Claim Offer | New UK customers only. Min £10 first deposit using Debit Card or Bank Transfer. Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 2.0 and get a £10 Football Bet Builder token upon settlement. A £10 Multiple token will be credited after 24 hours. A £5 Horse Racing Multiple token and a £5 Football Bet Builder token will be credited after 48 hours. Minimum 3 legs. Full T&Cs apply. 18+. GambleAware.org. |
 | Welcome Offer Bet £10 Get £20 In Free Bets + 50 No Wager Free Spins | BETGETSPORTS | Claim Offer | 18+ New UK customers. Bet £10 on accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0). Get 4x £5 Free Bets and 50 Free Spins, valid for 7 days on selected bets and games only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org |
 | Welcome Offer Bet £10 Get £10 + 25 Free Spins | No code required | Claim Offer | New players only. Bet £10 min. odds 1/1 (2.00). No cash-out. Free Bet available on Bet Builder. 25 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash, each valued at 10p without wagering requirement. Terms apply. |
 | Welcome Offer Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets | BETFRED50 | Claim Offer | New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. |
 | Welcome Offer Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | No code required | Claim Offer | New Customers only. Sign up and make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits up to £30*. Bet credits are credited upon settlement of qualifying bets to the value of the deposit (capped at £10*), which must be within 30 days of claiming the offer. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. Registration required. |
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Steven is an experienced iGaming content writer who has been working in the industry since 2018. He is passionate about sports betting and enjoys writing about all aspects of the industry, including bookmaker reviews, betting tips and strategies, and news and analysis.