Fielding Independent Pitching – measures what a pitcher can control
FIP = ((13×HR) + (3×(BB+HBP)) − (2×K)) / IP + constant (~3.10). Lower FIP is better.
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A FIP calculator helps baseball analysts, fantasy players, and scouts measure what a pitcher actually controls — home runs, walks, hit by pitches, and strikeouts — while removing defensive luck from the equation. Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) converts these four events into an ERA-like number that better reflects a pitcher’s true skill.
FIP matters because traditional ERA can be misleading. A pitcher with a 4.50 ERA but strong strikeout and walk numbers might actually be pitching well behind a poor defense. Conversely, a 3.20 ERA pitcher with weak K/BB ratios may be due for regression. FIP isolates the pitcher’s performance, answering: “What would this pitcher’s ERA be with league-average defense?”
This calculator uses the standard FIP formula: ((13×HR) + (3×(BB+HBP)) − (2×K)) ÷ IP + constant (~3.10). No downloads, no sign-ups — just advanced baseball analytics. Toolraxy provides this tool free for serious baseball fans, fantasy analysts, and anyone moving beyond basic ERA evaluation.
Enter Home Runs (HR) — total home runs allowed
Enter Walks (BB) — bases on balls issued
Enter Hit By Pitch (HBP) — batters hit by pitches
Enter Strikeouts (K) — total strikeouts thrown
Enter Innings Pitched (IP) — use decimals for partial innings (e.g., 6.1)
Click Calculate — updates automatically as you type
Read your FIP — displayed with the 3.10 league constant
Check the Performance Level — from “Cy Young Level” to “Poor”
The FIP calculator applies the standard sabermetric formula developed by Tom Tango and popularized by FanGraphs.
Where the Constant = 3.10 (league-average FIP scale factor for 2020s MLB)
The constant scales FIP to match league-average ERA. In modern MLB, average ERA ≈ 4.00 while average FIP elements produce a raw number around 4.00 − constant. The constant is derived from: Constant = lgERA − ((13×lgHR + 3×lg(BB+HBP) − 2×lgK) / lgIP).
This calculator uses 3.10 as the hardcoded constant based on the default values and typical MLB environment.
HR, BB, HBP, K default to 20, 50, 5, 180 respectively; treat empty as 0
IP defaults to 150, minimum 0.1, treats empty or zero as invalid
If IP ≤ 0, calculator shows “Enter innings pitched” and stops
All inputs are non‑negative integers (except IP which accepts decimals)
| FIP range | Rating |
|---|---|
| < 2.50 | Exceptional – Cy Young Level |
| 2.50 – 3.24 | Excellent – All‑Star Caliber |
| 3.25 – 3.74 | Great – Above Average |
| 3.75 – 4.24 | Average – Solid Contributor |
| 4.25 – 4.74 | Below Average – Needs Improvement |
| ≥ 4.75 | Poor – Significant Work Needed |
A starting pitcher finishes the season with: 22 HR allowed, 55 BB, 8 HBP, 195 K, and 185 IP. What’s their FIP?
Step 1 – Identify inputs
HR = 22
BB = 55
HBP = 8
K = 195
IP = 185
Step 2 – Calculate weighted components
13 × HR = 13 × 22 = 286 3 × (BB + HBP) = 3 × (55 + 8) = 3 × 63 = 189 −2 × K = −2 × 195 = −390
Step 3 – Sum the numerator
Step 4 – Divide by innings pitched
Step 5 – Add the constant
Step 6 – Determine performance rating
FIP of 3.56 falls between 3.25 and 3.74 → “Great – Above Average”
With a 3.56 FIP, this pitcher performs above league average. If their ERA is significantly higher (say 4.20), they’ve been unlucky with defense or sequencing. If their ERA is lower (say 3.10), they’ve been fortunate. FIP suggests true talent around 3.56.
Instant advanced metric – No manual weighting calculations needed
Built‑in league constant – Applies 3.10 automatically (modern MLB standard)
Performance rating – No need to memorize FIP thresholds
Handles zero IP gracefully – Shows error message instead of division‑by‑zero
Free and client‑side – All calculations in browser; no data leaves your device
Complete input set – Includes HBP (often missing from simple calculators)
Copy and share – Send FIP results to analysts or fantasy league chats
Mobile‑friendly – Works on phones during draft preparation
Sub‑3.50 is above average; sub‑3.00 is excellent; sub‑2.50 is Cy Young territory. League average FIP typically mirrors league average ERA (≈ 4.00 in modern MLB) but with less year‑to‑year variance.
Hit batters are fully controlled by the pitcher and have similar run expectancy to walks. Errors, singles, doubles, and triples depend partly on defense, so FIP excludes them.
Yes. FIP < ERA suggests a pitcher has been unlucky (poor defense, bad BABIP, or poor sequencing). FIP > ERA suggests good luck (strong defense, low BABIP, or clutch performance). Over time, most pitchers regress toward their FIP.
1871–1919: ~2.90 (dead ball era)
1920–1940: ~3.50 (lively ball)
1960s: ~2.80 (pitcher dominant)
1990s–2000s: ~3.20 (steroid era)
2015–present: ~3.10 (current)
This calculator uses 3.10. For historical analysis, adjust manually.
FIP can be negative when strikeouts dominate and HR/BB are very low over small innings samples. Example: 0 HR, 0 BB, 10 K over 5 IP = (−20 ÷ 5) + 3.10 = −4 + 3.10 = −0.90. This is mathematically correct but not meaningful; the pitcher is exceptional, not negative.
Yes, but require larger samples (50+ IP vs. 150+ for starters). Relievers have higher variance, and FIP stabilizes more slowly due to fewer batters faced.
xFIP replaces actual home runs with expected home runs based on fly ball rate (assuming league-average HR/FB ratio ≈ 10-12%). This removes HR luck, which can fluctuate wildly. xFIP is often more predictive but less descriptive.
Constants vary by season and league. This calculator uses 3.10, appropriate for 2020s MLB. Minor leagues, college baseball, and international leagues require different constants.
Mathematically yes, but practically no. A starter with 7 IP, 0 HR, 1 BB, 8 K has FIP = ((0) + 3 − 16) ÷ 7 + 3.10 = (−13 ÷ 7) + 3.10 = −1.86 + 3.10 = 1.24. This suggests elite performance but lacks predictive value until 50+ IP.
FIP ignores them entirely. Sacrifices involve batter decisions and defense; they’re not direct pitcher control outcomes, so FIP treats them as neutral balls in play.
No. All calculations happen in your browser. No data is sent to any server — your scouting notes and analysis remain private.
Research shows FIP correlates more strongly with next‑season ERA than current‑season ERA does. This makes FIP valuable for projections and contract decisions.
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