Free spins calculator: how much are free spins actually worth?
100 free spins sounds great, and this guide shows how to put a real dollar figure on them before you claim.
Free spins are easy to love and hard to value. A free spins calculator does it in two steps: work out what the spins are likely to win, then apply any wagering to that amount. You can do both on the back of an envelope.
Step 1: expected winnings from free spins
100 spins at $0.20 on a 96% slot: 100 × $0.20 × 0.96 = $19.20, or about $19.
The "value per spin" is the stake the casino sets for each spin, not something you choose. It's usually in the terms as "spins valued at $0.10" or similar. The RTP is the game's return to player; our RTP guide explains where to find it.
Why spin count is the wrong number to compare
What matters is the total value of the spins, not how many there are:
| Offer | Total spin value | Expected winnings at 96% |
|---|---|---|
| 200 spins at $0.05 | $10 | $9.60 |
| 100 spins at $0.20 | $20 | $19.20 |
| 50 spins at $0.50 | $25 | $24.00 |
The smallest number of spins is the biggest offer here.
Step 2: the wagering on spin winnings
Free spin winnings often have their own wagering. At 40×, that $19.20 needs $19.20 × 40 = $768 of bets. At 96% RTP that costs about $768 × 4% = $30.72 on average. Suddenly your 100 free spins are worth roughly $19.20 − $30.72 = −$11.52.
The same spins at 10× wagering: $192 of bets, costing about $7.68, so they're worth around +$11.52. With no wagering at all, they're worth the full $19.20. The method is the same as in our wagering requirements guide, just applied to winnings instead of a bonus.
Comparing two free spins offers
- Offer A: 50 spins at $0.20, no wagering. Expected winnings 50 × $0.20 × 0.96 = $9.60, all of it yours.
- Offer B: 100 spins at $0.20, 35× wagering on winnings. Expected winnings $19.20, which need $672 of bets costing about $26.88. Value: −$7.68.
Offer A has half the spins and is clearly the better deal. That's the whole point of running the numbers.
Step 3: check the caps and the clock
Max win from free spins
Many offers cap what you can withdraw from spin winnings. The average barely moves, because big wins are rare, but a cap can wipe out the one lucky run that makes free spins exciting. A $50 cap on a spin that lands $400 means $350 is gone.
Expiry
Spins often have to be used within a day or a few days, and winnings must then be wagered within a set period. Unused spins simply disappear. Our guide to max bet, max win and expiry rules covers what to look for.
What makes free spins good
- No wagering on winnings. The best kind, and common in the UK. What you win is yours.
- A decent spin value. 50 spins at $0.50 beat 200 spins at $0.05.
- No tiny cash-out cap. A $50 max win limit can wipe out a lucky run.
- A game you'd actually play. Spins locked to a low-RTP slot are worth less.
Want the number without the arithmetic? Choose "Free spins" in our bet calculator and enter the count, the spin value and the wagering.
Check your own bonus
Put any offer into the bet calculator and see its real value in seconds.