Calculate your exact Powerball winning odds and expected value
Odds = C(69,5) × 26 = 292,201,338Enter jackpot and ticket count
Based on 1 ticket(s)
Ticket Cost
$2
Expected Value
-$2
Return Rate
20.9%
House Edge
79.1%
| Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + PB | $100,000,000 | 1 in 292.2M |
| 5 | $1,000,000 | 1 in 11.7M |
| 4 + PB | $50,000 | 1 in 913.1K |
| 4 | $100 | 1 in 36.5K |
| 3 + PB | $100 | 1 in 14.5K |
| 3 | $7 | 1 in 580 |
| 2 + PB | $7 | 1 in 701 |
| 1 + PB | $4 | 1 in 92 |
| PB | $4 | 1 in 38 |
Quick-start with common scenarios
Powerball jackpot odds are 1 in 292,201,338. You pick 5 white balls (1-69) and 1 red Powerball (1-26). Overall odds of winning ANY prize are 1 in 24.87. The expected value of a $2 ticket is typically -$0.80 to -$1.00 (losing 40-50% on average), even with huge jackpots.
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are exactly 1 in 292,201,338. This is calculated by multiplying the combinations for white balls C(69,5) = 11,238,513 by the Powerball options (26), giving 292,201,338 total combinations.
Rarely. The expected value of a $2 ticket is typically negative (-$0.80 to -$1.00). Theoretically, when the jackpot exceeds roughly $600M+ (depending on ticket sales and split probability), EV could turn positive. However, at those levels, more tickets are sold, increasing jackpot-splitting probability.
The lump sum (cash option) is typically 50-60% of the advertised jackpot. Mathematically, taking the lump sum and investing wisely often beats the annuity, especially if you can earn more than the ~5% the lottery invests at. However, annuity protects against spending mistakes.
Power Play costs $1 extra and multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x (10x only when jackpot is under $150M). Mathematically, Power Play has slightly negative EV but can be worthwhile if you value the increased smaller prizes.
Powerball uses two separate machines with two separate sets of balls. Five white balls are drawn from a drum of 69 balls, then one red Powerball is drawn from a drum of 26 balls. The drawings are independently audited.