Roulette Payout Guide: What Every Bet Pays and Why

A roulette payout is the amount a winning bet returns relative to the stake, and every payout in the game comes from one formula: (36 ÷ numbers covered) − 1. That single rule explains why a straight-up bet pays 35:1 and a red/black bet pays 1:1. This guide gives you the exact payout for every roulette bet, the probability of each one landing, and the house edge attached to it across European, American, and French wheels. Unlike static charts elsewhere, every payout here links to our free roulette simulator, where you can place the same bet on 100+ real casino demo games and watch the return land in real time.

Table of Contents

• How Roulette Payouts Work
• Inside Bet Payouts
• Outside Bet Payouts
• Roulette Payouts Chart: Complete Reference
• European vs American vs French Payout Differences
• Roulette Payout Calculator
• Frequently Asked Questions

How Roulette Payouts Work

Every roulette payout is calculated by one formula: (36 ÷ numbers covered) − 1. Cover one number and the payout is (36 ÷ 1) − 1 = 35, written as 35:1. Cover two numbers and it is (36 ÷ 2) − 1 = 17, written as 17:1. The formula treats the wheel as if it held exactly 36 pockets, and that assumption is the source of every house edge in the game.

European roulette has 37 numbered pockets (0 through 36), yet it pays as though there were only 36. That one-pocket gap is the house edge, and on a single-zero wheel it works out to 2.70% on every bet type. American roulette adds a second zero (00) for 38 pockets total while keeping the identical payout formula. The wider gap between 38 real pockets and the 36 the payout assumes doubles the house edge to 5.26%. The numbers on the felt never change. Only the count of pockets you are paid against does.

This payout structure matters for your bankroll because it is constant. A straight-up number pays 35:1 whether you win it on spin one or spin five hundred, and the house edge does not improve with experience, betting systems, or hot streaks. Understanding the formula lets you read any payout on the table instantly: divide 36 by how many numbers your chips cover, subtract one, and you have the payout. For the full mathematical treatment of variance and expected value, see our roulette odds explained guide.

This is a reference page, not a strategy page. If you want betting systems and table tactics, read our best roulette strategy guide instead. To check any payout instantly, use the calculator below, or practice on our free roulette simulator to watch these payouts resolve on real casino demo games.

Inside Bet Payouts

Inside bets cover specific numbers or small groups of adjacent numbers on the roulette layout, and they pay the highest ratios in the game, from 5:1 up to 35:1. The fewer numbers a bet covers, the higher the payout, because the payout formula rewards lower probability with a larger return. Inside bets carry the same 2.70% house edge on a European wheel as outside bets do, so the higher payout does not buy you better odds. It buys you higher variance.

The straight-up bet covers a single number and pays 35:1, the maximum payout in standard roulette. A split bet covers two adjacent numbers and pays 17:1. A street bet covers three numbers in a row and pays 11:1. A corner bet covers four numbers meeting at one point and pays 8:1. A line bet covers six numbers across two rows and pays 5:1. Each ratio is the direct output of the (36 ÷ numbers covered) − 1 formula applied to that group size.

The table below lists every inside bet with its payout, the win probability on both wheel types, and the house edge. European odds use the 37-pocket wheel; American odds use the 38-pocket wheel.

Bet Type	Numbers Covered	Payout	European Odds	American Odds	House Edge
Straight Up	1	35:1	2.70%	2.63%	2.70% / 5.26%
Split	2	17:1	5.40%	5.26%	2.70% / 5.26%
Street	3	11:1	8.10%	7.89%	2.70% / 5.26%
Corner	4	8:1	10.80%	10.53%	2.70% / 5.26%
Line	6	5:1	16.20%	15.79%	2.70% / 5.26%

Read the probability column carefully because it explains the trade-off. A straight-up bet on European roulette lands 2.70% of the time and returns 35 times your stake, while a line bet lands 16.20% of the time and returns five times your stake. Both carry the same 2.70% house edge, so neither is mathematically “better.” They simply distribute risk differently across the session.

Want to see these payouts in action? Place a straight-up bet on our European roulette games in the simulator, and you will watch the 35:1 return credit the moment your number hits, all on real provider demo games with no money at stake.

Outside Bet Payouts

Outside bets cover large groups of numbers along the outer edge of the layout and pay the lowest ratios in the game, from 1:1 up to 2:1. Because each outside bet covers 12 or 18 numbers, the win probability is far higher than any inside bet, but the payout is correspondingly smaller. Outside bets describe the safest-feeling roulette wagers, and they remain subject to the same 2.70% house edge on a European wheel.

The even-money bets all pay 1:1, meaning a winning bet returns your stake plus an equal amount. Red/black covers the 18 red or 18 black numbers. Odd/even covers the 18 odd or 18 even numbers. High/low covers either 1 through 18 or 19 through 36. Each of these even-money bets lands 48.6% of the time on a European wheel, just short of an even coin flip because the zero pocket belongs to neither group. The dozens and columns bets each cover 12 numbers and pay 2:1, landing 32.4% of the time on a European wheel.

The table below lists every outside bet with its payout and European win probability. The payout column applies identically across European, American, and French wheels; only the win probability and house edge shift with the pocket count.

Bet Type	Numbers Covered	Payout	European Odds	House Edge
Red/Black	18	1:1	48.60%	2.70% / 5.26%
Odd/Even	18	1:1	48.60%	2.70% / 5.26%
High/Low (1-18 / 19-36)	18	1:1	48.60%	2.70% / 5.26%
Dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36)	12	2:1	32.40%	2.70% / 5.26%
Columns	12	2:1	32.40%	2.70% / 5.26%

Outside bets win far more often than inside bets but pay less per win, so a session of even-money betting produces smaller, more frequent swings. This is why outside bets feel “safer” even though the house edge is identical to a straight-up bet. The difference is variance, not value. To compare expected value across every bet type before you stake anything, use our payout calculator further down this page, or test outside-bet sessions risk-free in the simulator.

Roulette Payouts Chart: Complete Reference

The complete roulette payouts chart below combines every inside and outside bet into one reference, covering payout ratio, numbers covered, and win probability across European and American wheels. This is the single chart to bookmark or print, because it answers every “how much does this bet pay” question in one place. Every payout in the chart follows the (36 ÷ numbers covered) − 1 formula.

Bet Type	Category	Numbers	Payout	European Odds	American Odds
Straight Up	Inside	1	35:1	2.70%	2.63%
Split	Inside	2	17:1	5.40%	5.26%
Street	Inside	3	11:1	8.10%	7.89%
Corner	Inside	4	8:1	10.80%	10.53%
Line (Six Line)	Inside	6	5:1	16.20%	15.79%
Five Number (0-00-1-2-3)	Inside	5	6:1	n/a	13.16%
Dozens	Outside	12	2:1	32.40%	31.58%
Columns	Outside	12	2:1	32.40%	31.58%
Red/Black	Outside	18	1:1	48.60%	47.37%
Odd/Even	Outside	18	1:1	48.60%	47.37%
High/Low	Outside	18	1:1	48.60%	47.37%

Download our printable version of this chart, or bookmark our roulette cheat sheet for a quick reference while you play. Keep the chart open in one tab and the simulator in another to confirm each payout as it lands.

European vs American vs French Payout Differences

European, American, and French roulette share identical payout ratios but differ sharply in house edge, and that difference decides how much the game costs you over time. European roulette carries a 2.70% house edge on every bet. American roulette carries a 5.26% house edge because of its second zero. French roulette can drop the house edge to 1.35% on even-money bets through the La Partage rule, making it the best odds in roulette.

The house edge gap comes entirely from pocket count and rules, not from payouts. European roulette uses one zero across 37 pockets, so a 2.70% edge applies to inside and outside bets alike. American roulette adds a 00 pocket for 38 total, lifting the edge to 5.26% on every bet except one. The five-number bet (0-00-1-2-3) is the single worst wager in roulette at a 7.89% house edge, so never make this bet. It exists only on American wheels and pays 6:1, a payout that fails to compensate for its poor probability.

French roulette runs on the same single-zero 37-pocket wheel as European roulette, but the La Partage rule changes the outcome on even-money bets. When the ball lands on zero, La Partage returns half your even-money stake instead of losing all of it, cutting the effective house edge on red/black, odd/even, and high/low bets to 1.35%. The related En Prison rule “imprisons” an even-money bet on zero for one more spin rather than splitting it, reaching a similar 1.35% edge. These rules apply only to even-money outside bets, so inside bets on a French wheel keep the standard 2.70% edge.

For players, the practical ranking is clear: French roulette with La Partage gives the best even-money odds at 1.35%, European roulette is next at 2.70%, and American roulette is the most expensive at 5.26%. Compare all three variants side by side in our simulator, where you can play French roulette games and European wheels from 30+ providers and watch how the single-zero and La Partage differences affect your bankroll over 100 spins. For a deeper breakdown of when each variant suits your play style, read our guide that lets you compare roulette variants in detail.

Roulette Payout Calculator

The roulette payout calculator turns any bet into an exact figure in seconds, so you never have to run the (36 ÷ numbers covered) − 1 formula by hand. Select your bet type, enter your wager amount, and the calculator returns your exact payout for European, American, and French roulette, including the total returned and the net profit. It removes the guesswork from reading a payout chart mid-game.

The calculator covers every bet on this page, from a straight-up number at 35:1 to an even-money red/black bet at 1:1. Enter a $10 stake on a straight-up bet, for example, and it shows a $350 win plus your $10 stake returned, for $360 total. Switch the variant to French roulette and it factors in La Partage on even-money bets automatically. The tool is the fastest way to confirm what any bet pays before you place it.

Open the full roulette payout calculator, select any bet type, enter your wager amount, and see your exact payout for every variant instantly. Then take the same bet into our free simulator to watch the calculated payout land on a real casino demo game.

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers cover the most common roulette payout questions, each tied to the payout formula and house edge figures used throughout this guide.

What is the highest payout in roulette?

The highest payout in standard roulette is 35:1, paid on a straight-up bet covering a single number. A $10 straight-up bet that wins returns $350 in winnings plus your $10 stake, for $360 total. No standard roulette bet pays more than 35:1, because covering a single number is the lowest-probability wager the payout formula allows. Test a straight-up win yourself on our free simulator to see the 35:1 return land.

How much does 0 pay in roulette?

The zero pays 35:1 as a straight-up bet, exactly like any other single number on the wheel. Betting directly on 0 (or 00 on an American wheel) returns 35 times your stake if the ball lands there. The zero only differs from other numbers in what it does to other bets: it is the pocket that gives the house its edge, since even-money bets lose when the ball lands on zero. For a French wheel, the La Partage rule softens that loss by returning half your even-money stake.

What does roulette pay on numbers?

Roulette pays based on how many numbers your bet covers, following the (36 ÷ numbers covered) − 1 formula. A single number pays 35:1, two numbers pay 17:1, three pay 11:1, four pay 8:1, and six pay 5:1. Outside bets covering 12 numbers pay 2:1, and even-money bets covering 18 numbers pay 1:1. The payout always rises as the number of pockets covered falls.

What is the payout for a straight up bet?

A straight-up bet pays 35:1, the maximum payout in roulette, because it covers a single number with the lowest win probability. On a European wheel that number lands 2.70% of the time; on an American wheel it lands 2.63% of the time. The payout ratio stays 35:1 on both wheels. Only the win probability and the house edge change with the pocket count.

How much do you win if you bet $10 on a number in roulette?

A $10 straight-up bet on a single number wins $350 if that number hits, plus your $10 stake returned, for $360 total. The math is the 35:1 payout multiplied by the stake: 35 × $10 = $350 in winnings. This holds on European, American, and French wheels, since the straight-up payout ratio never changes between variants. Enter different stakes into our payout calculator to see the figures scale.

What is the best payout bet in roulette?

The best payout bet depends on what you mean by best: the straight-up bet pays the most at 35:1, but the best-value bet is an even-money bet on a French wheel with La Partage at a 1.35% house edge. Highest payout and best odds are not the same thing. A straight-up bet returns the most per win but wins rarely, while a French even-money bet wins close to half the time and loses the least to the house over time. To find the balance that suits you, compare bet types in our roulette payout calculator and practice them free in the simulator.

---

Content generated by oc-workforce-v3 Stage 8 (content-writer). Brief ID: roulette-payout-guide. Brief validation score: 85/100.