What is WHIP in Baseball?
WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) is a sabermetric statistic used to measure how many baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is one of the most popular and widely-used metrics for evaluating a pitcher's effectiveness and overall performance.
One could compare WHIP to cricket's famous batting average. Although the way these two statistics are calculated differs, they are very similar in terms of how commonly they are used in their respective disciplines, and both are used to estimate the level of an individual player.
How to Use the WHIP Calculator?
Using this WHIP calculator is very straightforward. Just follow these steps:
- Enter the pitcher's total number of hits allowed (H).
- Enter the pitcher's total number of walks allowed (BB — Base on Balls).
- Enter the pitcher's total innings pitched (IP). Use baseball notation: 7.1 means 7 innings and 1 out (= 7⅓ innings), and 7.2 means 7 innings and 2 outs (= 7⅔ innings).
- Click Calculate — the WHIP value will be displayed instantly, along with a performance rating.
Please note that, although it might seem counter-intuitive, the lower the WHIP value, the better the performance. A pitcher who allows fewer baserunners per inning is more dominant.
How to Calculate WHIP?
To calculate the WHIP baseball statistic, use this simple equation:
WHIP = (Hits + Walks) ÷ Innings Pitched
Let's go through an example to illustrate the process. If a pitcher has allowed 200 hits and 50 walks over 230 innings pitched, their WHIP will be:
WHIP = (200 + 50) ÷ 230 = 250 ÷ 230 ≈ 1.087
Why is Calculating Walks Plus Hits Per Inning Pitched Useful?
WHIP is useful because it directly measures how many baserunners a pitcher allows — the primary precursor to runs being scored. Unlike ERA (Earned Run Average), WHIP is not affected by defensive plays or unearned runs. It focuses purely on what the pitcher controls: keeping batters off the bases.
WHIP is especially valuable for:
- Comparing pitchers across different eras or leagues
- Fantasy baseball player evaluation
- Assessing a pitcher's control and stuff efficiency
- Evaluating season-long consistency
WHIP Rating Scale
| WHIP Range | Rating |
|---|---|
| < 1.00 | Elite |
| 1.00 – 1.15 | Excellent |
| 1.15 – 1.30 | Above Average |
| 1.30 – 1.50 | Average / Below Average |
| > 1.50 | Poor |
Terms Used in the WHIP Calculator
- Hits (H)
- The total number of hits a pitcher has allowed. This includes singles, doubles, triples, and home runs.
- Walks (BB — Base on Balls)
- The total number of walks (base on balls) issued by the pitcher. Intentional walks are included in standard WHIP calculations.
- Innings Pitched (IP)
- The total number of innings a pitcher has worked. In baseball notation, each out is 1/3 of an inning, so 7.1 IP = 7⅓ innings and 7.2 IP = 7⅔ innings.
- WHIP
- Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched. A lower WHIP is better — it indicates fewer baserunners allowed per inning.
- ERA (Earned Run Average)
- Related statistic measuring earned runs allowed per 9 innings. While related to WHIP, ERA can be influenced by defense and luck, making WHIP often a more reliable indicator of pitching quality.
WHIP Values of Some Professional Players
| Pitcher | Season / Career | WHIP | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedro Martínez | 2000 (season) | 0.74 | All-time record |
| Clayton Kershaw | 2014 (season) | 0.86 | Elite |
| Roger Clemens | 2005 (season) | 0.98 | Elite |
| Greg Maddux | Career average | 1.14 | Excellent |
| Nolan Ryan | Career average | 1.25 | Above Average |
| MLB League Average | Typical season | ~1.30 | Average |
Innings Pitched — Baseball Notation Explained
Baseball uses a special notation for partial innings. Each out equals ⅓ of an inning. When entering innings pitched into this calculator:
- 7.0 = 7 complete innings (21 outs)
- 7.1 = 7 innings and 1 out = 7⅓ innings = 7.333...
- 7.2 = 7 innings and 2 outs = 7⅔ innings = 7.667...
This calculator automatically converts baseball-notation innings (e.g., 7.1 or 7.2) into the correct decimal value for accurate WHIP calculation.