Sports & Gaming · Statistics · Descriptive Statistics
WHIP (Walks + Hits per Inning Pitched) Calculator
Calculate a pitcher's WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) to measure how many baserunners they allow per inning.
Calculator
Formula
BB = Base on Balls (Walks); H = Hits allowed; IP = Innings Pitched. WHIP represents the average number of baserunners a pitcher allows per inning via walks and hits.
Source: MLB Official Statistics, Baseball Reference; widely attributed to pitcher evaluation research since the 1970s and formally adopted by fantasy baseball in the 1980s.
How it works
The WHIP formula is straightforward: add the total number of walks (BB) and hits (H) a pitcher has allowed, then divide by the total innings pitched (IP). The result tells you, on average, how many batters reach base per inning via walk or hit — the two most controllable outcomes for a pitcher.
A WHIP of 1.000 is considered elite: it means the pitcher allows exactly one baserunner per inning on average. Most MLB starting pitchers range between 1.10 and 1.40. A WHIP above 1.50 typically signals a pitcher allowing too many baserunners, while anything below 1.00 is exceptional and historically rare over a full season.
WHIP is especially popular in fantasy baseball because it captures pitching control and contact prevention in a single number. It is also used as a complement to ERA, since ERA depends on fielding and can be skewed by unearned runs, whereas WHIP focuses purely on a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base.
Worked example
Example: A starting pitcher finishes a season with the following stats: 80 Hits allowed, 30 Walks, and 150 Innings Pitched.
Step 1 — Add Walks and Hits: BB + H = 30 + 80 = 110 total baserunners.
Step 2 — Divide by Innings Pitched: WHIP = 110 ÷ 150 = 0.733 — an historically excellent figure.
Step 3 — Projected baserunners per 9 innings: 0.733 × 9 ≈ 6.60, meaning in a typical complete game the pitcher would allow roughly 6–7 baserunners via walks and hits.
For context, Clayton Kershaw's career WHIP is approximately 1.000, and the all-time single-season record belongs to Pedro Martinez (2000) at approximately 0.737.
Limitations & notes
WHIP does not account for hit-by-pitches (HBP), which also put runners on base. It treats all hits equally regardless of whether they were singles, doubles, triples, or home runs, so a pitcher who allows many extra-base hits may look similar to one who allows only singles. WHIP also cannot differentiate strand rates — a pitcher who consistently strands runners in scoring position will have a better ERA than WHIP might suggest. Finally, small sample sizes (fewer than 10–15 innings) can produce extreme WHIP values that are not predictive of true talent.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good WHIP in MLB?
In Major League Baseball, a WHIP below 1.00 is considered elite and is very rare over a full season. A WHIP of 1.00–1.15 is excellent, 1.15–1.30 is above average, 1.30–1.50 is average to below-average, and anything above 1.50 is poor. For reference, the league-average WHIP in recent MLB seasons has hovered around 1.30–1.35.
How do I record partial innings in the IP field?
Innings pitched in baseball are recorded in thirds: 0.1 represents one out (one-third of an inning) and 0.2 represents two outs (two-thirds of an inning). Enter 6.1 for six and one-third innings, 6.2 for six and two-thirds, etc. The calculator handles these decimal values directly since the formula treats IP as a continuous number.
Does WHIP include hit batters (HBP)?
Traditional WHIP (BB + H / IP) does not include hit-by-pitches. Some advanced analysts use an expanded version — sometimes called WHIP+ or baserunners per inning — that adds HBP to the numerator. For official MLB and fantasy baseball scoring, the standard WHIP formula excludes HBP.
How does WHIP differ from ERA?
ERA (Earned Run Average) measures how many earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings, and is influenced by fielding quality, sequencing, and strand rates. WHIP focuses only on a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base via walks and hits, making it more independent of team defense. A pitcher can have a high ERA but a low WHIP (unlucky with runners scoring) or vice versa.
What is the all-time best single-season WHIP in MLB history?
Pedro Martinez holds the modern-era record with a WHIP of approximately 0.737 during his legendary 2000 season with the Boston Red Sox (18 W, 1.74 ERA, 284 K in 217 IP). Among pitchers with substantial workloads, a WHIP below 0.800 for a full season is considered one of the greatest pitching achievements in baseball history.
Can WHIP be used for relief pitchers?
Yes, WHIP applies to all pitchers regardless of role. However, small sample sizes make WHIP less reliable for relief pitchers who pitch only 20–60 innings per season. A single bad inning can swing a reliever's WHIP dramatically, so it is best interpreted alongside other stats and context for pitchers with fewer innings pitched.
Last updated: 2025-01-30 · Formula verified against primary sources.