US lottery guide · Last reviewed August 6, 2026
Powerball Guide: Rules, Odds, Prizes and Number Generator
Powerball is a multijurisdictional US jackpot game in which players choose five white balls and one red Powerball. This guide explains the current rules, exact odds, all nine prizes, optional features and the jurisdiction-specific steps that matter when buying or claiming a ticket.
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US Lotteries
Powerball
Jackpot: $327 Million • Next Draw: Wednesday
Mega Millions
Jackpot: $241 Million • Next Draw: Friday
Lotto America
Jackpot: $17 Million • Next Draw: Monday
Cash4Life
Jackpot: $1,000/day for life • Next Draw: Daily
Powerball at a glance
- Ticket price
- $2 per play
- White balls
- Choose 5 numbers from 1–69
- Red Powerball
- Choose 1 number from 1–26
- Jackpot odds
- 1 in 292,201,338
- Overall odds of winning
- Approximately 1 in 24.9
- Drawings
- Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
- Drawing time
- 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time
- Power Play
- Additional $1 in participating jurisdictions
- Jackpot payout
- Cash option or annuity
- Ticket deadlines
- Vary by jurisdiction
Idaho and Montana bundle Power Play with Powerball for a minimum $3 purchase.
How to play Powerball
- Select five different white-ball numbers from 1 through 69.
- Select one red Powerball number from 1 through 26.
- Choose your own numbers or receive a computer-generated selection.
- Match all five white balls and the Powerball to win the jackpot.
There are nine prize-winning combinations. The order of the five white balls does not matter, but the red Powerball must match the separately drawn Powerball. The Powerball generator creates a valid random line for convenience; it cannot predict results or improve the odds.
Powerball prizes and Power Play
| Numbers matched | Standard prize | 2X | 3X | 4X | 5X | 10X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackpot: 5 + Powerball | Jackpot | Jackpot | Jackpot | Jackpot | Jackpot | Jackpot |
| 5 white balls | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| 4 + Powerball | $50,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 | $500,000 |
| 4 white balls | $100 | $200 | $300 | $400 | $500 | $1,000 |
| 3 + Powerball | $100 | $200 | $300 | $400 | $500 | $1,000 |
| 3 white balls | $7 | $14 | $21 | $28 | $35 | $70 |
| 2 + Powerball | $7 | $14 | $21 | $28 | $35 | $70 |
| 1 + Powerball | $4 | $8 | $12 | $16 | $20 | $40 |
| Powerball only | $4 | $8 | $12 | $16 | $20 | $40 |
- The jackpot is never multiplied by Power Play.
- Matching five white balls with Power Play produces a fixed $2 million prize.
- The 10X multiplier is available only when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less.
- California prizes are pari-mutuel and can differ from the fixed amounts shown.
- Prize rules should always be confirmed through the lottery where the ticket was purchased.
Exact Powerball odds
| Numbers matched | Odds |
|---|---|
| 5 + Powerball | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| 5 white balls | 1 in 11,688,053.52 |
| 4 + Powerball | 1 in 913,129.18 |
| 4 white balls | 1 in 36,525.17 |
| 3 + Powerball | 1 in 14,494.11 |
| 3 white balls | 1 in 579.76 |
| 2 + Powerball | 1 in 701.33 |
| 1 + Powerball | 1 in 91.98 |
| Powerball only | 1 in 38.32 |
The overall chance of winning any prize is approximately 1 in 24.9, while the jackpot chance is 1 in 292,201,338. Read the full Powerball probability explanation.
Power Play
Power Play costs an additional $1 in most participating jurisdictions. A multiplier is selected separately for each drawing: 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X. The jackpot cannot be multiplied, and Match 5 becomes $2 million regardless of the multiplier. The 10X multiplier is available only when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less. Availability and purchasing rules vary by jurisdiction.
Double Play
Double Play is a separate optional drawing in participating jurisdictions. It costs an additional $1, uses the same numbers as the regular ticket, and is drawn after the Powerball drawing for a top cash prize of $10 million. It is not available everywhere and should not be confused with Power Play.
Drawing schedule and ticket deadlines
Drawings take place Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time at the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Ticket sales generally stop one or two hours before the drawing, but there is no nationwide deadline. Players must check the official local lottery before purchasing.
Cash option versus annuity
A jackpot winner may choose a one-time cash payment equal to the cash in the jackpot prize pool or the Powerball annuity. The annuity consists of 30 graduated payments over 29 years: one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that generally increase by 5% each year. The advertised jackpot is the annuity value, so the cash option is lower. Both figures are before federal and any applicable state or local taxes. This is general education, not personalized financial advice; winners should obtain qualified legal and tax advice before choosing.
How Powerball taxes work
The IRS treats lottery winnings as taxable gambling income. Federal withholding on qualifying prizes is generally 24%, but withholding is not necessarily the winner’s final federal tax bill. State and sometimes local taxes vary, and some jurisdictions do not impose a state income tax. The selling jurisdiction and the winner’s residence can matter. There is no accurate universal “after-tax jackpot” figure; winners should consult qualified tax professionals.
How to claim a Powerball prize
- Secure the original ticket and follow local legal guidance and the selling lottery’s instructions about signing it.
- Photograph or copy it for your private records, but never post the ticket publicly.
- Keep the original in a secure place.
- Verify the result at Powerball.com and with the official lottery that sold the ticket.
- Check the claim deadline and any separate cash-option election deadline immediately.
- Claim in the jurisdiction where the ticket was purchased.
- For a major prize, consult a qualified attorney and tax adviser before public disclosure, transfers or promises.
Winner privacy and anonymity
Anonymity laws differ by state, jurisdiction, prize size and sometimes the legal structure used to claim. Some lotteries must disclose a winner’s name and location, while others may allow anonymity or a qualifying trust or legal entity. Because those rules change, this guide does not publish a short state list that may become outdated. Check the official selling lottery’s current disclosure rules and consult a qualified local attorney before claiming or speaking publicly.
Shared jackpots
If several tickets match all five white balls and the red Powerball, the jackpot prize pool is divided equally among the valid jackpot-winning tickets. Each winner then chooses the cash or annuity option under the selling lottery’s procedures.
How jackpots roll over
If no ticket matches all six numbers, the jackpot rolls into the next drawing. Growth depends on ticket sales and interest rates; a larger advertised jackpot does not improve the odds of any individual ticket.
Powerball scams
Legitimate lotteries do not require an advance fee, gift card, cryptocurrency payment or bank password to release a prize. A person cannot win a drawing they did not enter. Verify claims independently through Powerball.com and the official selling lottery, and never share a ticket image containing identifying or validation details.
Official sources
Related Powerball and winner guides
Responsible play
Lottery play is paid entertainment with a likely loss. Set a fixed limit, never chase losses, never borrow to play, and stop if it causes stress or financial harm. A generated line is no more likely to win than a personally chosen valid line.
Powerball FAQ
How much does a Powerball ticket cost?
A standard Powerball play costs $2 in most participating jurisdictions. Power Play generally costs an additional $1. Idaho and Montana include Power Play in a minimum $3 Powerball purchase, and local rules should always be checked before buying.
What numbers do I choose?
Choose five different white-ball numbers from 1 through 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 through 26. You may select the numbers yourself or request a computer-generated selection.
What are the Powerball jackpot odds?
The odds of matching all five white balls and the red Powerball are 1 in 292,201,338 for each valid line. Buying additional distinct lines increases total coverage, but every line retains the same probability.
What are the overall odds of winning a prize?
The overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are approximately 1 in 24.9. This combines all nine prize-winning outcomes, including the $4 prize for matching only the Powerball.
When are Powerball drawings held?
Drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Holiday or operational information should be confirmed through Powerball.com or the lottery where the ticket was purchased.
What time is the Powerball drawing?
The drawing is held at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time at the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Ticket sales stop earlier, with the exact cutoff set by each jurisdiction.
What is Power Play?
Power Play is a multiplier feature that generally costs $1 extra. It can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X, subject to the official rules and local availability.
Can Power Play multiply the jackpot?
No. The Powerball jackpot is never multiplied by Power Play. A jackpot-winning ticket receives its share of the jackpot prize pool under the official game rules.
Why is Match 5 with Power Play always $2 million?
The Match 5 Power Play award is a fixed $2 million prize. It remains $2 million whether the multiplier selected for the drawing is 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X.
What is Double Play?
Double Play is a separate optional drawing that uses the same numbers as the regular Powerball play. It generally costs an additional $1 and offers a top cash prize of $10 million.
Is Double Play available in every state?
No. Double Play is offered only by participating jurisdictions. Check the official lottery where the ticket is purchased before assuming it is available.
Are Quick Picks more likely to win?
No. A computer-generated Quick Pick and a personally selected valid line have exactly the same mathematical probability. The drawing does not know how the numbers were chosen.
Can past Powerball results predict future numbers?
No. Previous drawings do not make a number due, and hot or cold labels only describe the past. Every valid combination has the same chance in the next independent drawing.
What happens if multiple tickets win the jackpot?
The jackpot prize pool is divided among all valid jackpot-winning tickets. Each winner then follows the cash or annuity election and claim rules of the jurisdiction where that ticket was sold.
What is the difference between cash and annuity?
The cash option is a smaller immediate lump sum equal to the cash in the jackpot pool. The annuity is one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5%, and both options are shown before applicable taxes.
Can a Powerball winner remain anonymous?
It depends on the jurisdiction, prize amount and permitted claim structure. Some states allow anonymity or entity claims while others require disclosure, so a potential winner should obtain local legal advice before claiming.
Where must a winning ticket be claimed?
A winning ticket must be claimed in the state or jurisdiction where it was purchased. That lottery controls validation, identification, deadlines, payment procedures and any special rules for online purchases.
Are Powerball winnings taxable?
US lottery prizes are generally subject to federal income tax, and state or local taxes may also apply. Withholding may not equal the final liability, so large winners should obtain individualized advice from qualified tax professionals.