What was Babe Ruth's career batting average?

Babe Ruth’s career batting average was .342. That figure represents his total batting performance across 22 MLB seasons with the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Boston Braves.

A batting average is calculated by dividing a player’s hits by his official at-bats, with the result rounded to three decimal places. Ruth finished with 2,873 hits in 8,399 at-bats, producing the commonly cited .342 average.

The number is notable because Ruth is remembered primarily for power. He hit 714 home runs, but he also combined exceptional power with strong overall hitting ability. His career .690 slugging percentage and .474 on-base percentage show why his offensive impact extended well beyond home runs.

Some figures associated with Ruth can cause confusion. His 1935 season average was only .181, reflecting the final decline of his career, while his best single-season average was .393 in 1923. Neither number is his career mark; across all of his MLB seasons, the standard answer is .342.