Batting Average Calculator
Calculate your hitting performance (AVG)
What is Batting Average?
Batting Average (AVG) is one of the oldest and most widely recognized statistics in baseball. It measures the frequency with which a batter records a hit. Simply put, it tells you what percentage of at-bats result in a base hit.
How to Calculate Batting Average
The formula is straightforward: AVG = Hits (H) / At-Bats (AB).
If a player has 45 hits in 150 at-bats:
45 ÷ 150 = .300
Their batting average is .300.
What is a "Good" Batting Average?
Context is key. A "good" average varies significantly between MLB, college, and high school baseball due to the level of competition. In Major League Baseball:
- .250 (Average): The league-wide batting average typically hovers around .240-.250. This is considered a solid baseline for a regular starter.
- .300 (Excellent): Reaching .300 ("batting three hundred") is the gold standard for hitters. A player who hits .300 consistently is often an All-Star.
- .400 (Legendary): Hitting .400 over a full season is nearly impossible in the modern era. The last MLB player to achieve this was Ted Williams in 1941 (.406).
The "Mendoza Line"
Named after shortstop Mario Mendoza, an average below .200 is widely considered the threshold for minimum offensive viability in the majors, unless the player provides exceptional defensive value.
Limitations of Batting Average
While AVG is popular, it has significant flaws as a standalone metric. It treats all hits equally (a single counts the same as a home run) and completely ignores walks (bases on balls).
For a more complete picture of a player's value, statisticians use:
- On-Base Percentage (OBP): Measures how often a player reaches base, including walks.
- Slugging Percentage (SLG): Measures power by weighting hits (doubles, triples, HRs count more).
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Batting Average calculated?
Batting Average is calculated by dividing the total number of hits by the total number of at-bats. Formula: AVG = Hits / At-Bats.
What is a good Batting Average?
In MLB, an average above .300 is considered excellent, while .250 is average. In high school or college, averages can be significantly higher.
Do walks count in Batting Average?
No, walks (bases on balls) do not count as hits or at-bats, so they do not affect the batting average directly. They are included in On-Base Percentage (OBP).