How Powerball works

The basics

Powerball is a multi-state lottery operated by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Tickets cost $2 per play. Draws take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM Eastern Time.

How to pick your numbers

A Powerball ticket requires two sets of numbers: 5 main numbers chosen from 1–69, and 1 Powerball number chosen from 1–26. The main numbers are drawn from a white ball drum; the Powerball is drawn from a separate red ball drum.

You can choose your numbers manually or use Quick Pick to have them randomly generated. Statistically, both approaches have identical odds of winning.

Prize tiers

The Power Play multiplier

For an extra $1 per play, you can add Power Play — a multiplier that increases non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x (10x is only available when the jackpot is under $150 million). The $1 million second prize becomes $2 million with Power Play.

Jackpot structure

The Powerball jackpot starts at a minimum of $20 million and grows with each drawing where no jackpot winner is drawn. There is no maximum cap — jackpots have reached over $2 billion. The largest Powerball jackpot in history was $2.04 billion, won in November 2022.

Lump sum vs annuity

Winners choose between the annuity (29 annual payments, growing 5% per year) or the cash option (approximately 60% of the advertised jackpot paid immediately). Most winners choose the cash option. Both are subject to federal and state income tax.