Magic Number Calculator (MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL)
See how many wins and losses stand between a first-place team and clinching.
How the magic number works
Magic number = games in the season + 1 − leader's wins − chasing team's losses. In a 162-game MLB season, a leader with 90 wins against a chaser with 70 losses has a magic number of 162 + 1 − 90 − 70 = 3.
Any mix adds up: three leader wins, three chaser losses, or two of one and one of the other clinches it.
FAQ
What is a magic number?
The number of wins by the first-place team, plus losses by the team chasing it, that together clinch first place. Each leader win or chaser loss takes 1 off it.
How is the magic number calculated?
Games in the season + 1 − the leader's wins − the chasing team's losses. Use the closest chasing team for the division, or the first team out for a playoff spot.
What is an elimination number?
The same number seen from the chasing team's side: how many more of its losses plus leader wins until it can no longer finish first.
Does it work for the NHL and NFL?
It works for any win-loss race. The NHL ranks teams by points and the NFL can have ties, so treat it as a close guide there rather than the official clinching math.