Powerball — Complete Guide
Powerball is a multi-state US lottery game offered in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held three times a week, with a starting jackpot of $20 million that rolls until won.
The Rules
- Pick 5 numbers from 1–69 (white balls)
- Pick 1 Powerball number from 1–26 (red ball)
- Match all 6 to win the jackpot
- Ticket: $2 (Power Play multiplier: +$1, multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2x–10x)
Drawing Schedule
Drawings: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday at 10:59 PM ET. Cut-off times for ticket sales vary by state — typically 1–2 hours before the drawing.
Overall Odds
Overall odds of winning any prize: 1 in 24.87. Jackpot odds: 1 in 292,201,338.
See the full prize-tier breakdown: Powerball Prize Odds →
Tools
- Powerball Number Generator — random pick respecting 5/69 + 1/26
- Prize Odds & Tiers — every match level, exact odds
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Powerball?
Pick 5 numbers from 1–69 (white balls) and 1 number from 1–26 (the red Powerball). Match all 6 to win the jackpot. Tickets cost $2 each, and the Power Play multiplier is an optional $1 add-on that multiplies non-jackpot prizes.
When are Powerball drawings held?
Powerball is drawn three times a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM Eastern Time. Cut-off times for ticket sales vary by jurisdiction (typically 1–2 hours before the drawing).
What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338. The overall odds of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 24.87.
How much tax will I pay if I win Powerball?
Federal tax withholding on US lottery winnings over $5,000 is 24% (an additional federal income tax may apply at filing, up to 37% top bracket). State taxes vary from 0% (states like Florida, Texas) to over 8% (New York). Many winners take the lump sum (~52% of advertised jackpot) instead of the 30-year annuity.
Source: https://www.powerball.com · Authority: Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL)