How to Play Powerball: Complete Guide to Rules, Prizes & Odds
Powerball is one of America's most popular multi-state lottery games, available in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time, giving players three chances every week to win life-changing jackpots that frequently climb into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
How to Play Powerball: Step by Step
- 1
Choose your numbers
Pick five white ball numbers from 1 to 69, plus one red Powerball number from 1 to 26. You need all six numbers to win the jackpot.
- 2
Pick a play method
You can choose your own numbers, or select Quick Pick to let the lottery terminal randomly generate them for you. Quick Pick is the most popular option among players.
- 3
Select your add-ons (optional)
Power Play (+$1 per play): Multiplies any non-jackpot prize by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x (10x only available when jackpot is $150 million or below). Double Play (+$1 per play, select states only): Gives you a second chance to win using the same numbers in a separate drawing.
- 4
Buy your ticket
A standard Powerball ticket costs $2 per play. With Power Play: $3. With Double Play: $3. With both: $4. You can also buy tickets for up to 20 consecutive drawings in advance.
- 5
Check the results
Drawings take place Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings. Check the winning numbers right here on USA Lottery Club after every draw.
Powerball Prize Tiers & Odds
There are 9 ways to win a Powerball prize. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.87.
| Match | Prize | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|
| 5 white balls + Powerball | Jackpot | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| 5 white balls | $1,000,000 | 1 in 11,688,053.52 |
| 4 white balls + Powerball | $50,000 | 1 in 913,129.18 |
| 4 white balls | $100 | 1 in 36,525.17 |
| 3 white balls + Powerball | $100 | 1 in 14,494.11 |
| 3 white balls | $7 | 1 in 579.76 |
| 2 white balls + Powerball | $7 | 1 in 701.33 |
| 1 white ball + Powerball | $4 | 1 in 91.98 |
| Powerball only | $4 | 1 in 38.32 |
In California, all prize amounts are paid on a pari-mutuel basis and may differ from the fixed amounts shown above. In Idaho and Montana, Power Play is automatically included on every ticket.
Power Play: Multiply Your Winnings
For just $1 extra per play, the Power Play option can dramatically increase your non-jackpot prizes. Before each drawing, a separate Power Play number (2, 3, 4, 5, or 10) is randomly drawn.
| Match | Base Prize | 2x | 3x | 4x | 5x | 10x |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 10x multiplier is only available when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less. The Match 5 prize is always capped at $2 million with Power Play, no matter which multiplier is drawn.
How the Powerball Jackpot Works
The Powerball jackpot starts at a minimum of $40 million and rolls over every time nobody matches all six numbers. The jackpot grows with each drawing until it's won — which is why it can reach astronomical amounts.
- Annuity: Paid as 30 graduated annual payments over 29 years, with each payment increasing by 5% from the last.
- Cash (Lump Sum): A one-time payment equal to the cash in the jackpot prize pool at the time of the draw. This is typically 50–60% of the advertised jackpot value.
Jackpot winners have 60 days from the date of their ticket validation to choose between the annuity and lump sum options. If jackpot winners split the prize, the winnings are divided equally among all winning tickets.
Powerball Drawing Schedule
| Day | Drawing Time (Eastern) |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:59 p.m. ET |
| Wednesday | 10:59 p.m. ET |
| Saturday | 10:59 p.m. ET |
Ticket sales typically cut off 1–2 hours before each drawing, depending on the state. Check with your local retailer or lottery website for exact cutoff times.
How to Claim a Powerball Prize
- Prizes up to $600: Claim at any authorized lottery retailer.
- Prizes $600.01 and above: A claim form must be completed. You may need to visit a regional lottery office.
- Jackpot and major prizes: Must be claimed in person at the state lottery headquarters in the state where the ticket was purchased.
- Claim deadline: Winners generally have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prize, though this varies by state. Some states allow up to 1 year.
Keep your ticket safe and sign the back immediately after purchase. Your signed ticket is your primary proof of ownership.
Powerball Taxes: What to Expect
Federal withholding
24% is automatically withheld on prizes over $5,000.
State taxes
Most states apply their own withholding rate. Seven states (California, Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming) do not tax lottery winnings.
Final tax bill
Depending on your total income, you may owe additional federal taxes when you file your return, as the top federal tax rate is 37%.
Use our Powerball Tax Calculator to estimate your take-home amount after taxes →
Powerball Quick Facts
| Ticket price | $2 per play |
| White ball range | 1–69 |
| Powerball range | 1–26 |
| Drawing days | Monday, Wednesday, Saturday |
| Drawing time | 10:59 p.m. ET |
| Starting jackpot | $40 million |
| Overall odds | 1 in 24.87 |
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| Ways to win | 9 |
| States participating | 45 + D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands |
Frequently Asked Questions
Results are unofficial. Always verify winning numbers with your official state lottery. USA Lottery Club is an independent results service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Powerball or any state lottery.