The short answer
A $5 exacta box on three horses costs $30. Three horses make six exacta combinations (3 × 2), and each combination costs $5. A $5 box on two horses costs $10, on four horses $60, and on five horses $100. People also say a "$5 box" to mean $5 in total; if that is what your track offers, the cost is simply that total. This page uses the common meaning: $5 per combination.
Cost of a $5 exacta box by number of horses
| Horses in the box | Combinations | Total cost at $5 | At $2 | At $1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | $10 | $4 | $2 |
| 3 | 6 | $30 | $12 | $6 |
| 4 | 12 | $60 | $24 | $12 |
| 5 | 20 | $100 | $40 | $20 |
| 6 | 30 | $150 | $60 | $30 |
How the formula works
The number of combinations in an exacta box is the number of horses times one fewer: n × (n − 1). Multiply by your base to get the cost. Each added horse raises the cost faster than the last, which is why a six-horse box at $5 is $150 while a three-horse box is $30. Use the calculator above to try any number of horses or base amount.
Boxing is a cost decision, not a value decision
A box protects you if your horses finish first and second in either order, but it pays the same per winning combination as a straight exacta and costs more. More combinations do not make a ticket better value. If the price on your top horse is already short, a bigger box can simply spend more to chase a small return. See how an exacta box works, check what a winning exacta returns, and consider whether passing is the better call.
Check the rules before you bet
Minimum bases and offered exacta pools differ by track and operator, and some tracks do not offer a $5 exacta. This tool shows arithmetic only; it does not recommend a ticket or a stake. Set a limit in advance and stay inside it. See responsible play and the full ticket cost calculator for keys, wheels and trifectas.
Common questions
Does a $5 exacta box cost $5?
Not usually. A $5 base per combination across several combinations costs $5 times the number of combinations. Two horses is two combinations ($10).
Which is cheaper, a box or a key?
A key covers fewer combinations, so it costs less, but it loses if the keyed horse is not in the position you chose.
Sources and scope
Official references and GAMELIN's published evidence. Check current track and operator information before acting.