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US Powerball — full guide
Prize tiers, how to play, odds, and tips. Use the section links to jump ahead.
Related tools
Prize tiers, how to play, odds, and tips. Use the section links to jump ahead.
Powerball jackpots start at $20 million and climb when nobody matches all five white balls plus the red Powerball. The odds of winning that top prize are 1 in 292,201,338.
Most players just want five white-ball numbers and a Powerball before Wednesday or Saturday night. This guide covers the 5+1 format, all nine prize tiers, Power Play multipliers, and what our generator above actually gives you (main numbers only, with Powerball guidance below).
Powerball is a multi-state lottery played across 45 US states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. It launched in 1992 and replaced Lotto America.
The current format (since October 2015): pick 5 numbers from 1 to 69 (white balls) plus 1 Powerball from 1 to 26 (red ball). Tickets cost $2 per play, or $3 with Power Play.
Draws run every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 PM Eastern Time from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee.
Quick Pick (random selection) is the most common purchase method. About 75-80% of jackpot winners use Quick Pick according to lottery officials, though exact figures vary by year.
| Tier | Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | 5 white + Powerball | Variable (annuity or cash) | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| 2 | 5 white | $1,000,000 | 1 in 11,688,054 |
| 3 | 4 white + Powerball | $50,000 | 1 in 913,129 |
| 4 | 4 white | $100 | 1 in 36,525 |
| 5 | 3 white + Powerball | $100 | 1 in 14,494 |
| 6 | 3 white | $7 | 1 in 580 |
| 7 | 2 white + Powerball | $7 | 1 in 701 |
| 8 | 1 white + Powerball | $4 | 1 in 92 |
| 9 | Powerball only | $4 | 1 in 38 |
Overall odds of winning any prize: about 1 in 24.9 per $2 play.
Power Play costs an extra $1 and multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x. A separate multiplier ball is drawn each night.
The 10x multiplier only applies when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less. The second-tier $1 million prize is always doubled to $2 million with Power Play, regardless of the drawn multiplier.
| Lottery | Format | Jackpot odds |
|---|---|---|
| Powerball | 5/69 + 1/26 | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| Mega Millions | 5/70 + 1/25 | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| UK Lotto | 6/59 | 1 in 45,057,474 |
Powerball has slightly better jackpot odds than Mega Millions. Both US games have far longer odds than most European national lotteries, which is why jackpots routinely exceed $500 million.
Jackpot winners choose between a 30-year annuity or a reduced lump-sum cash option. Federal taxes apply to all prizes. State taxes vary.
Our tool above generates five unique numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls. You still need to pick a separate Powerball (1-26) when buying a ticket.
Run the generator again for a second set if you want a random Powerball, or pick one manually. Every combination has identical odds.
For preset ranges, try our random number 1 to 69 page or the 1 to 26 range for Powerball-only picks.
Claim procedures vary by state. Small prizes (typically under $600) can be claimed at authorized retailers. Larger prizes require a visit to a state lottery office or mail-in claim.
Deadlines: range from 90 days to one year depending on the state where you bought the ticket. Check your ticket back or state lottery website.
Sign your ticket immediately. Take photos. Store it somewhere safe until you claim.
Call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 (US). Set spending limits. Never chase losses. Powerball is entertainment, not a retirement plan.
Q: Which states do not sell Powerball?
Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah do not participate. You must buy tickets in a participating state.
Q: Can I remain anonymous if I win?
Depends on the state. Some allow anonymous claims, others require public disclosure. Check your state's rules before claiming a large prize.
Q: What was the largest Powerball jackpot?
A $2.04 billion jackpot in November 2022 (California winner, annuity value). Several jackpots have exceeded $1 billion since 2016.
Q: Does our generator include the Powerball?
It generates the five main numbers only. Pick your Powerball (1-26) separately when purchasing your ticket.
Disclaimer: Informational content only. Must be 18+ (19+ in some states, 21+ in Arizona). Gamble responsibly. Rules and odds follow official Powerball regulations.
Last updated: June 2026