Net Run Rate Explained: How NRR Is Calculated in Cricket
Net run rate (NRR) is the tie-breaker in most limited-overs cricket tournaments, from World Cups to franchise leagues. When teams finish level on points, the one with the higher NRR usually goes through. This guide shows how it is calculated, step by step.
The formula
Net run rate compares how fast a team scores with how fast it concedes across the whole tournament:
NRR = (total runs scored ÷ total overs faced) − (total runs conceded ÷ total overs bowled)
A positive NRR means a team scores faster than its opponents on average. A negative NRR means it concedes faster than it scores.
The all-out rule
If a team is bowled out before its overs are used up, it is treated as if it faced its full quota of overs. A side that is all out for 150 in 18.2 overs of a T20 is counted as having faced 20 overs. This stops a team from improving its run rate by being bowled out quickly.
Overs are not decimals
Cricket writes overs as overs and balls. 17.3 overs means 17 overs and 3 balls, which is 17.5 overs as a decimal. Always convert balls to a fraction of an over (one ball is 1/6 of an over) before you divide.
A worked example
Team A plays two T20 matches:
- Match 1: scores 180 for 5 in 20 overs and restricts the opponents to 160 for 8 in 20 overs.
- Match 2: is bowled out for 150 in 18.2 overs (counted as 20 overs), and the opponents chase it, reaching 151 for 3 in 17 overs.
Runs scored: 180 + 150 = 330 from 20 + 20 = 40 overs, a rate of 8.25.
Runs conceded: 160 + 151 = 311 from 20 + 17 = 37 overs, a rate of 8.41.
NRR = 8.25 − 8.41 = −0.155. Team A won one match and lost one, but its NRR is slightly negative because the defeat came heavily, with three overs to spare.
Abandoned matches
A match abandoned with no result does not count towards NRR at all. Rain-shortened matches that do produce a result count, using the overs actually available to each side.
Work it out for your team
Use our free net run rate calculator, which handles the all-out rule and overs-and-balls for you, or the run rate calculator for a single chase.