An easy tool for calculating WHIP in baseball with grading scale for evaluation.
WHIP Calculator
How to Use This WHIP Calculator
Total Walks
First thing you do to use this WHIP Calculator is to enter the total number of walks the pitcher has allowed for the entirety of the season.
Total Hits
Next, to calculate WHIP, you enter the total number of hits the pitcher has given up on the season. Home runs, singles, doubles, and triples all count as hits. Do not count errors or fielder’s choices as hits.
Full Innings Pitched
Next, enter the number of full innings the pitcher has thrown. A full inning means the pitcher recorded three outs. For example, if the pitcher has thrown 72.1 innings on the year, you would enter just 72 in this field (partial innings are next).
Partial Innings (If Needed)
This final input field to calculate WHIP is for any partial innings. In the example above of 72.1 innings, we would select the drop down box for .1 innings. If there is not partial innings to input, just leave the drop down menu at “None”.
- Select .1 (1/3 inning) if the pitcher recorded one out in an incomplete inning.
- Select .2 (2/3 inning) if the pitcher recorded two outs in an incomplete inning.
- Select None if the pitcher only pitched full innings.
What Not to Do
- Do not include errors or unearned runs in the hits or walks total.
- Do not enter decimals for partial innings. Use the dropdown instead.
- Do not enter negative numbers or leave fields blank.
Once all values are entered, click Calculate WHIP to see the result. This WHIP calculator will also provide a grading scale to help interpret the number.
Using our online pitch counter tool to track total pitches.
WHIP Formula
The formula for calculating WHIP is:
WHIP = (Walks + Hits) ÷ Innings Pitched
A pitcher who allows 40 walks and 150 hits in 200 innings would have a WHIP of:
(40 + 150) ÷ 200 = 0.95
A WHIP below 1.00 is excellent, while a WHIP above 1.50 suggests a pitcher struggles to keep runners off base.
What is WHIP in Baseball?
WHIP measures how many walks and hits a pitcher allows per inning. A lower WHIP means the pitcher keeps runners off base, which is a strong indicator of success. WHIP is commonly used to evaluate both starting pitchers and relievers to see how well they prevent baserunners.
What’s a Good WHIP?
WHIP varies based on level of play, field conditions, and competition, but a general grading scale is:
- Below 1.00 – Elite
- 1.00 to 1.19 – Great
- 1.20 to 1.39 – Good
- 1.40 to 1.59 – Average
- Above 1.60 – Below Average
A WHIP under 1.10 is usually top-level, while above 1.50 suggests struggles with baserunners. Relief pitchers often have slightly higher WHIPs due to shorter appearances.
WHIP vs. ERA – What’s the Difference?
WHIP and ERA both measure pitching performance, but they focus on different aspects.
- WHIP measures baserunners allowed per inning, focusing only on walks and hits.
- ERA measures earned runs, meaning it considers runs scored rather than baserunners alone.
A pitcher can have a low WHIP but a high ERA if they allow few baserunners but give up home runs or struggle with clutch pitching. On the other hand, a pitcher can have a higher WHIP but a low ERA if they allow many baserunners but work out of jams without allowing runs. (ERA Calculator)
Factors That Affect WHIP
Defense Behind the Pitcher
A strong defense reduces WHIP by turning hard-hit balls into outs. A weak defense allows more ground balls and bloopers to become hits, making a pitcher’s WHIP worse. This can also affect the pitcher’s batting average against stats.
Ballparks and Field Conditions
Some fields favor hitters, leading to higher WHIPs. A small ballpark with short fences increases the chance of extra-base hits. A large ballpark with deep outfield dimensions can help keep WHIP lower by allowing more fly-ball outs. Field conditions, such as a slow infield or a fast turf, can also affect how many ground balls turn into hits.
Game Situations and Relief Appearances
Relievers often face high-pressure situations with runners already on base, making their WHIP higher than a starter’s. Closers and setup men usually have slightly elevated WHIPs compared to dominant starting pitchers.
Why WHIP Can Be Misleading
Calculating WHIP is useful, but it does not tell the full story of a pitcher’s effectiveness.
- WHIP does not consider hit quality. A bloop single counts the same as a hard-hit double.
- WHIP ignores errors and unearned runs, even if a pitcher works out of trouble.
- WHIP treats home runs the same as singles, even though home runs are more costly.
To adjust for these issues, advanced stats like FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) focus on what the pitcher controls: strikeouts, walks, and home runs. A pitcher with a high WHIP but a low FIP may be unlucky with defense (or other factors), while a pitcher with a low WHIP but a high FIP may allow too many home runs.
Still, using this WHIP calculator can help measure how well a pitcher prevents baserunners. A lower WHIP across a large sample size of innings often indicates a dominant pitcher, while a high WHIP suggests struggles with control or hittable pitches.