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The WHIP statistic in baseball stands for walks plus hits per inning pitched. WHIP is the average number of baserunners a pitcher allows per inning, calculated by adding walks plus hits and dividing the result by innings pitched.

WHIP is one of the most widely used pitching statistics in baseball and softball because it reflects how well a pitcher prevents batters from reaching base. A lower WHIP indicates a more effective pitcher.

Unlike ERA, WHIP does not distinguish between earned and unearned runs—it counts every walk and every hit. This makes WHIP a simple yet direct measure of a pitcher's ability to keep runners from reaching base.

WHIP Formula

The WHIP formula divides the total walks plus hits by innings pitched:

\[ \text{WHIP} = \frac{\text{walks} + \text{hits}}{\text{innings pitched}} \]

The equivalent formula using outs is:

\[ \text{WHIP} = \frac{(\text{walks} + \text{hits}) \times 3}{\text{outs}} \]

The outs-based formula avoids the need to convert partial innings into fractions or decimals.

How to Calculate WHIP

1. Count total walks allowed, including intentional walks
2. Count total hits allowed
3. Add walks and hits together
4. Count full innings pitched
5. Add partial innings: each out in an incomplete inning is one third of an inning
6. Divide the sum of walks plus hits by innings pitched
7. Round to 2 decimal places

What Counts Toward WHIP

Walks include all bases on balls, including intentional walks. Every walk counts toward WHIP regardless of intent.

Hits include all hits—singles, doubles, triples and home runs. WHIP makes no earned/unearned distinction; every hit counts whether or not errors occur later in the play.

What Does NOT Count Toward WHIP

• Hit-by-pitch (HBP) does not count
• Errors do not count
• Fielder’s choice does not count
• Catcher’s interference does not count
• Dropped third strikes do not count

Only walks and hits appear in the WHIP formula. Batters who reach base by any other means are excluded.

What is a Good WHIP?

The lower the WHIP, the more effective the pitcher is at keeping batters from reaching base. A WHIP of less than 1.0 is considered exceptional as it means a pitcher allows less than one baserunner per inning.

WHIP between 1.00 and 1.24 indicates an above average pitcher. Rating between 1.25 and 1.35 is average, and over 1.40 generally indicates a pitcher is struggling to be effective in their games.

WHIP Examples

Single-game example: A pitcher allows 2 walks and 5 hits in 6⅔ innings pitched.

• Walks + Hits = 2 + 5 = 7
• Outs = 6 × 3 + 2 = 20
• IP = 20 ÷ 3 = 6.667
• WHIP = 7 ÷ 6.667 = (7 × 3) ÷ 20 = 21 ÷ 20 = 1.05

Full-season example: A pitcher allows 50 walks and 150 hits in 200 innings pitched.

• Walks + Hits = 50 + 150 = 200
• Outs = 200 × 3 = 600
• WHIP = 200 ÷ 200 = 1.00

Decimal Innings Pitched Notation

In baseball statistics, innings pitched (IP) are recorded using a special notation where the decimal portion represents outs, not a true decimal fraction. A pitcher credited with .1 IP has recorded 1 out (⅓ inning), and .2 IP means 2 outs (⅔ inning). For example, 6.1 IP means 6 full innings plus 1 out, which equals 6⅓ innings or 19 total outs. This calculator uses a dropdown for partial innings to avoid confusion with decimal notation.

References

• Major League Baseball. "Walks And Hits Per Inning Pitched (WHIP)." MLB.com Glossary. mlb.com/glossary/standard-stats/walks-and-hits-per-inning-pitched
• Major League Baseball. "Innings Pitched (IP)." MLB.com Glossary. mlb.com/glossary/standard-stats/innings-pitched
• Baseball Reference. "WHIP." baseball-reference.com/glossary/whip