Purse Distribution Calculator
Every golf tournament, horse race, poker night, and eSports final ends the same way: a prize pool that must be divided among the finishers. The split is usually published as percentages per position, and turning those into dollar amounts is where mistakes creep in. This calculator does it instantly and checks that the shares add back to the full purse.
Enter the total purse, the number of paid positions, and each position’s percentage, or start from a common preset split. The tool builds a per-position payout table, verifies the total, and lets you copy or share the schedule for players and organizers.
Per-position payouts from any purse and split, with a total check.
How to use the Purse Distribution Calculator
Enter the total purse and pick a currency, then choose a preset split or enter your own percentages separated by commas with one value per paid position. Set the number of paid positions to match. The calculator builds the payout table and confirms the shares add back to the full purse.
Formula
Payout for position i = Total Purse × (Percentage_i / 100)
The percentages must sum to 100% exactly, or some of the purse is unaccounted for. With a $100,000 purse and a 45 / 25 / 20 / 10 split: 1st = $100,000 × 45% = $45,000.00, 2nd = $25,000.00, 3rd = $20,000.00, 4th = $10,000.00, totaling $100,000.00.
Worked example
A club championship posts a $100,000 purse paying four places at 45 / 25 / 20 / 10. The payouts are $45,000.00, $25,000.00, $20,000.00, and $10,000.00. The total distributed is $100,000.00, which matches the purse exactly. A second scenario: $50,000 with a championship-style 62 / 20 / 10 / 5 / 3 split pays $31,000.00, $10,000.00, $5,000.00, $2,500.00, and $1,500.00. Both scenarios were verified against the calculator above.
What competitors miss
The most complete competitor page is long on theory and has no presets: every split must be typed by hand, and there is no copy or share for posting results. Racing-sim configs publish useful split patterns but are code documentation, not a usable tool. None of them verify that the distributed total matches the purse, which is the exact mistake organizers get called out on. This page offers one-tap presets, a per-position table, an automatic total check, and the only copy and share buttons in the field.
Frequently asked questions
What is a purse in sports?
The total prize money an event distributes to finishers. The term comes from horse racing, where prize money was literally kept in a purse, and it now covers golf, poker, eSports, disc golf, and combat sports.
Why must percentages sum to 100%?
Otherwise part of the purse is unassigned. The classic 60/20/10 racing split only sums to 90, meaning some events retain or redirect the remainder; this calculator requires 100% so every dollar is accounted for.
What is the difference between a purse split and a betting pool?
A purse split divides the organizer’s prize money among finishers. A betting pool (like horse-race parimutuel pools) divides bettors’ wagers among winning tickets after takeout. They use completely different math.
How are ties handled?
Major tours combine the tied positions’ prize money and divide it equally among the tied players. Run the tied positions as one combined entry, or split their summed share manually; this calculator distributes per stated position.
Should the winner really get that much more?
Top-heavy splits (62% to the winner) are standard in championship events and drive competition, but club events often flatten the split to reward more players. Use whatever split your event published; presets here are starting points.
Can I use this for entry-fee payback in a poker night?
Yes. Enter the total collected as the purse and the payout structure your game agreed on. The per-position table is exactly what players want to see posted before play starts.