Powerball pays prizes in 9 tiers, from $4 for matching just the Powerball up to the jackpot for all six numbers. The eight lower prizes are set amounts, and Power Play can multiply them. Here's the full prize chart with the odds of each tier, how prizes are taxed and how you claim them.
The prize chart
Every play is 5 white balls from 1 to 69 and 1 red Powerball from 1 to 26. This is what each combination pays for a $2 play, the odds of hitting it with one play, and what it pays with Power Play:
| Match | Prize | Odds (1 in…) | 2X | 3X | 4X | 5X | 10X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 + Powerball | Jackpot | 292,201,338 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | $1,000,000 | 11,688,053.52 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| 4 + Powerball | $50,000 | 913,129.18 | $100,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 | $500,000 |
| 4 | $100 | 36,525.17 | $200 | $300 | $400 | $500 | $1,000 |
| 3 + Powerball | $100 | 14,494.11 | $200 | $300 | $400 | $500 | $1,000 |
| 3 | $7 | 579.76 | $14 | $21 | $28 | $35 | $70 |
| 2 + Powerball | $7 | 701.33 | $14 | $21 | $28 | $35 | $70 |
| 1 + Powerball | $4 | 91.98 | $8 | $12 | $16 | $20 | $40 |
| Powerball only | $4 | 38.32 | $8 | $12 | $16 | $20 | $40 |
The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.87. Power Play never multiplies the jackpot, Match 5 with Power Play always pays $2 million, and the 10X multiplier is only in play when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less. The odds explained, tier by tier, are in Powerball odds.
Set prizes, with two exceptions
Outside the jackpot, Powerball prizes are fixed: 3 white balls pay $7 whether 20,000 or 40,000 people match them. There are two exceptions:
- California: by state law, all California Lottery prizes are pari-mutuel, so lower-tier Powerball prizes there depend on sales and the number of winners, and can be higher or lower than the chart. Power Play isn't sold in California.
- An unusual number of winners: the rules say that if the prize pool can't cover all the set prizes in a drawing, the top set prizes become pari-mutuel and are shared out. It rarely happens.
The jackpot: annuity or cash
The jackpot usually starts at about $20 million, grows with every rollover and is split equally if there's more than one winner. The winner can take it as an annuity (one immediate payment and 29 annual payments that rise by 5% a year) or as a cash lump sum, which is less than the advertised amount but paid at once. Most winners take the cash. How it grows is in the Powerball jackpot.
Taxes on Powerball prizes
Lottery winnings are taxable income for the IRS. On prizes over $5,000, the lottery withholds 24% for federal taxes before paying you, and gives you a Form W-2G. That withholding isn't the final bill: large prizes are taxed at your marginal rate, up to 37%, so you may owe more when you file.
Then there are state taxes. Most states tax lottery winnings, at very different rates, but a few don't: they're in the next section.
- Where you live matters too. Buying in a no-tax state doesn't always help: your home state may still tax the prize.
- Annuity payments are taxed each year as you receive them.
- Non-residents usually have 30% federal withholding, subject to any tax treaty.
- Get professional advice for any large prize: rules and rates change.
States that don't tax lottery winnings
If you buy a winning ticket in one of these states, you won't owe state income tax on the prize there. Federal tax applies everywhere.
- California, which exempts California Lottery prizes from state tax.
- Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming, which have no income tax on lottery winnings.
Delaware taxes lottery prizes but doesn't withhold state tax when it pays them, so you settle it when you file. And where you live matters too: your home state may tax a prize won somewhere else. Each state's withholding is in Powerball states.
The difference can be large. On a $100 million cash prize, a Florida winner has 24% federal tax withheld and receives about $76 million; in New York, which also withholds 10.9% for the state, about $65 million. Withholding isn't the final bill, so get professional advice.
Where to claim your prize
The amount decides where you claim it. Limits vary by state, but this is the usual pattern:
| Prize | Where to claim | What you'll need |
|---|---|---|
| Under $600 | Any authorized retailer in the state where you bought the ticket, or by mail | The signed ticket |
| $600 and up | A lottery claim center or district office, or by mail | Signed ticket, claim form, photo ID and Social Security number |
| Large prizes and the jackpot | Your state lottery's headquarters, often by appointment | Signed ticket, claim form, ID; taxes withheld at payment |
You have between 90 days and one year to claim, depending on the state. Step-by-step instructions are in how to claim a Powerball prize.
Never pay to claim a prize
No lottery asks for money to release your winnings. If someone calls, texts or emails to say you've won and asks for a fee, taxes up front or your bank details, it's a scam. More warning signs are in how to avoid Powerball scams.
Frequently asked questions
How many numbers do I need to win in Powerball?
You only need to match the Powerball to win the lowest prize, $4. Without the Powerball, the first prize comes with 3 white balls ($7).
What do you win with 4 numbers in Powerball?
Four white balls without the Powerball pay $100; four white balls plus the Powerball pay $50,000. With Power Play, those become $200–$500 and $100,000–$250,000, or $1,000 and $500,000 with the 10X.
How much is Match 5 worth with Power Play?
$2 million, whatever multiplier is drawn. Without Power Play, Match 5 pays $1 million.
Do I have to pay taxes on Powerball winnings?
Yes. Winnings over $5,000 have 24% federal withholding, and the final federal rate can be higher. Most states also tax lottery winnings; California, Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming don't.
How long do I have to claim a Powerball prize?
From 90 days to one year after the drawing, depending on the state that sold the ticket, and some states give you less time to choose the cash option for a jackpot. Each state's deadline is in Powerball states.
Why are prizes different in California?
California law requires all lottery prizes to be pari-mutuel, so lower-tier Powerball prizes there depend on sales and the number of winners. Power Play isn't offered in California.
Last reviewed: . Independent information: official results are published by the lottery that runs the game.