Runs conceded
Count runs scored off the bat and penalties charged to the bowler, including wides and no-balls. Byes and leg-byes are generally not charged to the bowler.
Free cricket tool
Bowling Average Calculator
Calculate a bowler’s cricket bowling average from runs conceded and wickets taken. Built for players, scorers, coaches, academies, clubs and tournament organisers.
Runs conceded ÷ wickets
Lower is better
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Bowling average
20.00
240 runs conceded and 12 wickets gives a bowling average of 20.00.
Runs240
Wickets12
Calculate bowling average
Enter total runs conceded and wickets taken. Cricstars calculates the bowling average instantly.
Bowling average formula
Bowling Average = Runs Conceded ÷ Wickets Taken.
Example: 240 runs conceded and 12 wickets = 240 ÷ 12 = 20.00.
What bowling average tells you
Bowling average shows how many runs a bowler concedes for every wicket taken. A lower bowling average is usually better because it means the bowler is taking wickets without giving away too many runs.
Bowling average vs economy rate
Bowling average measures wicket-taking cost. Economy rate measures runs conceded per over. A complete bowling review should use both numbers together.
Bowling average FAQs
Simple answers for players, scorers, coaches, parents and club admins.
How do I calculate bowling average?
Divide runs conceded by wickets taken. Example: 240 runs and 12 wickets = 20.00.
Is a lower bowling average better?
Yes. A lower bowling average usually means the bowler takes wickets while conceding fewer runs.
What if wickets are zero?
The bowling average is not available yet because the formula cannot divide by zero wickets.
Is bowling average the same as economy rate?
No. Bowling average is runs per wicket. Economy rate is runs per over.
Can this be used for club cricket?
Yes. The same formula works for school, academy, club, T20, ODI-style matches and Test cricket.
Cricket scoring guide
What counts towards a bowler's average?
Bowling average uses runs charged to the bowler divided by wickets credited to that bowler, not necessarily every run or dismissal recorded during the bowling spell.
Wickets credited
Include dismissals credited to the bowler, such as bowled, caught, LBW, stumped and hit wicket. Run-outs are not credited to the bowler.
Worked example
If a bowler concedes 46 runs and takes 2 credited wickets, their bowling average is 46 ÷ 2 = 23.00.
A bowler taking zero wickets has no defined bowling average for that period. Compare bowling average alongside economy rate and bowling strike rate for a fuller assessment.