Understanding Powerball Odds

Published on January 10, 2026

The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are approximately 1 in 292.2 million. While these odds may seem daunting, it's important to understand what they mean and how they are calculated. This knowledge can help you play more intelligently.

The odds are calculated based on the number of possible combinations of five white balls (from 1 to 69) and one Powerball (from 1 to 26). The formula involves complex combinatorics, but the result is the same: winning is a rare event.

However, there are nine different ways to win a prize in Powerball, with much better odds for the lower-tier prizes. For example, the odds of winning the smallest prize ($4) are about 1 in 38. This means that while the jackpot is the ultimate goal, there are many other opportunities to win.