% payoff for chips play

I have placed in the final 3 places a couple of time, however, the play chips credited to me I can't figure it out.
i.e. 1st place: Is it 50% of my players chip count or 50% of the buy in count?
Thanks/whatewa

Building on your example, if the tournament buy-in is 5,000 play chips, and 10 players enter, there is a total of 50,000 play chips in the pot. 1st place wins 50% (25,000 play chips) of the pot.

OK. got it........Thanks, Rafe20