Powerball
Powerball is a multi-state lottery game played across the United States. This guide covers the mechanics, prize structure, odds, and history so you understand exactly what happens when you play.
Three times weekly: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 10:59 PM ET
Pick 5 from 69, plus 1 Powerball from 26
Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL)
April 19, 1992
How Powerball Works
You pick five numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26. The lottery draws five white balls from a machine with 69 balls, then one red Powerball from a separate machine with 26 balls.
Your ticket wins a prize if your numbers match the drawn numbers in any combination. You do not need to match them in order. Matching all five white balls plus the Powerball wins the jackpot. Matching fewer numbers wins smaller prizes.
The drawing occurs three times each week. Draws happen Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:59 PM Eastern Time. The deadline to buy tickets is 10 PM ET on draw days, though individual retailers and states set their own cutoff times.
Prize Tiers and Odds
Powerball has nine prize tiers. Here is the structure:
Jackpot (Tier 1): Match all five white balls plus the Powerball. Odds are 1 in 292,201,338. This prize has no fixed amount. The jackpot grows from draw to draw when no one wins the top prize.
Tier 2: Match all five white balls, no Powerball. Odds are 1 in 11,688,054. Prize is $1,000,000.
Tier 3: Match four white balls plus the Powerball. Odds are 1 in 913,129. Prize is $50,000.
Tier 4: Match four white balls, no Powerball. Odds are 1 in 36,525. Prize is $100.
Tier 5: Match three white balls plus the Powerball. Odds are 1 in 14,494. Prize is $100.
Tier 6: Match three white balls, no Powerball. Odds are 1 in 580. Prize is $7.
Tier 7: Match two white balls plus the Powerball. Odds are 1 in 701. Prize is $7.
Tier 8: Match one white ball plus the Powerball. Odds are 1 in 91. Prize is $4.
Tier 9: Match only the Powerball. Odds are 1 in 38. Prize is $4.
The combined probability of winning any prize is 1 in 25. This means roughly one in 25 tickets returns a win, though most wins are small amounts like $4 or $7.
Expected Value and Odds Context
The overall odds of matching at least two numbers and winning any prize are 1 in 25. Winning the jackpot is 1 in 292 million. For comparison, you are more likely to be struck by lightning in your lifetime than to win Powerball.
Expected value (EV) in lottery play refers to the average return you get per dollar spent. For most players, the EV is negative. That means the average ticket loses money. Powerball tickets cost $2. If you buy one ticket when the jackpot is small, the expected payout is less than $2. This is how the lottery generates revenue for state programs.
When the jackpot reaches very high levels, the EV can approach or exceed $2 per ticket. However, this only applies to the jackpot prize itself. Smaller prizes have fixed odds and fixed returns, and those remain negative.
Syndicate play spreads the cost and increases coverage of number combinations. If 100 people pool $200 and buy 100 tickets together, the group covers 100 different combinations instead of one. If any of those tickets wins, members share the prize. The mathematics are simple: more tickets increase the chance someone in the group wins, but each member's share of any prize is divided by the number of members.
History and Operation
Powerball launched on April 19, 1992, as a multi-state game. The Multi-State Lottery Association, a nonprofit organization, operates it on behalf of member lotteries in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
The game has been redesigned several times to change odds and prize amounts. The most recent major redesign occurred in 2015, when the white-ball pool expanded from 59 to 69 balls, and the red-ball pool shrunk from 35 to 26 balls. This change made the jackpot odds longer but improved odds for mid-tier prizes.
Each state lottery uses Powerball revenue to fund education, infrastructure, and other public programs. The total amount varies by state and is set by individual state legislation.
Taxes and Payouts
Powerball jackpots are subject to federal income tax. The federal government withholds 24% of all winnings over $5,000 at the time of payout. However, your actual federal tax liability may be higher because the top federal rate for lottery winnings is 37%. You owe the difference at tax time.
Most states also tax lottery winnings. The state tax rate varies from 0% to over 8%, depending on where you bought the ticket. Some states do not tax lottery winnings at all.
Winners can choose between a lump-sum payout (a single payment that is less than the advertised jackpot) or an annuity (annual payments over 30 years). The advertised jackpot amount assumes the annuity option. The lump sum is typically 50-60% of the advertised total.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the advertised jackpot and the lump sum?
The advertised Powerball jackpot is the total amount paid out over 30 years as an annuity. When you win, you can take that full amount as annual payments, or you can choose a lump-sum payment received immediately. The lump sum is the amount of cash on hand to fund the annuity payments, which is typically 50-60% of the advertised jackpot. For example, a $100 million advertised jackpot might have a lump-sum option of $55-60 million.
How often does Powerball draw, and when do I need to buy a ticket?
Powerball draws three times per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:59 PM Eastern Time. You must buy your ticket before 10 PM ET on the draw day in most locations. Each state and retailer sets its own cutoff time, so check locally. Tickets are valid for one draw only unless you request a multi-draw ticket.
Can I win money with the Powerball number and no white balls?
Yes. If you match only the Powerball and no white balls, you win $4. This is the lowest prize in Powerball. The odds of this outcome are 1 in 38. You can also win $4 by matching one white ball plus the Powerball with odds of 1 in 91.
What are my odds of winning any Powerball prize?
The odds of winning any prize on a single Powerball ticket are 1 in 25. This includes all nine prize tiers, from the $4 minimum to the jackpot. However, most wins are in the lower tiers. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338.
What happens to Powerball revenue?
Each state that participates in Powerball uses lottery revenue for public programs. The allocation varies by state and is determined by state law. Common uses include education, infrastructure, healthcare, and gambling addiction programs. The Multi-State Lottery Association does not keep Powerball revenue; it flows to state lotteries and their designated beneficiaries.
Is Powerball the same in every state?
The core game rules and prize structure are identical across all states. However, taxes and payout treatment differ by state. Some states do not tax lottery winnings, while others tax winnings at rates up to 8% or higher. Additionally, your ticket must be purchased in a state that participates in Powerball, and you typically must claim your prize in the state where you bought the ticket.
