Work The Numbers

Interactive Odds Explorer

Powerball & Mega Millions
Odds & Prize Calculator.

What do you win if you match a certain number of balls? Choose Powerball or Mega Millions, enter the exact match, and see its prize tier, odds, and multiplier treatment under the current rules.

Calculate a match See complete odds tables

Odds & Prize Calculator

What do I win if I match…?

Choose a game, the number of main balls matched, and whether the bonus ball matched. The result identifies the prize tier and odds of that exact outcome.

The interactive explorer requires JavaScript. The comparison, complete prize tables, calculations, and sources remain available below and on each game page.

Side by side

Two games, different rules.

Overall prize odds and jackpot odds answer different questions. Neither measure alone establishes the financial value of a ticket.

Powerball

$2 ticket
Number format
5 of 69 plus 1 of 26
Draw schedule
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
Jackpot odds
1 in 292,201,338
Overall prize odds
Approximately 1 in 24.87
Multiplier
Optional Power Play add-on
Open complete Powerball odds

Mega Millions

$5 ticket
Number format
5 of 70 plus 1 of 24
Draw schedule
Tuesday, Friday
Jackpot odds
1 in 290,472,336
Overall prize odds
1 in 23
Multiplier
2X–10X included with every ticket
Open complete Mega Millions odds

Combination math

Where jackpot odds come from.

The order of the five main numbers does not matter. The bonus ball comes from a separate pool, so its possible outcomes are multiplied by the main-number combinations.

Powerball

C(69, 5) × 26 = 292,201,338

Mega Millions

C(70, 5) × 24 = 290,472,336

Lower-tier odds also count every way a ticket can match the selected balls and miss the others. “1 in X” is a probability ratio, not a promise that an outcome must occur once within X attempts.

Read the Work The Numbers methodology

Human-scale context

One ticket represents one combination.

“1 in X” describes probability for an exact outcome. It is not a schedule or a guarantee that the outcome must appear within X independent attempts.

Each distinct ticket covers another combination in the game’s outcome space. Holding more combinations does not make any one combination more likely, and earlier results do not change the next drawing.

Complete game guides

See every prize tier and its odds.

Continue with context

Connect the calculation to explanation and historical context.

  1. Understand whyReview randomness and independenceSee why earlier results do not alter these current-rule probabilities.
  2. Understand jackpot valueSeparate annuity, cash, and probabilityLearn why payment structure changes value, not the odds of matching the jackpot.
  3. See the historical evidenceCompare the two game recordsRead a rule-aware historical comparison without treating the past as predictive.

Authority and sources

Current rules, with their limits stated.

Reviewed
Powerball rules effective
Mega Millions rules effective

Rules and advertised prizes can change.

Primary sources

Work The Numbers is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Powerball, Mega Millions, or participating lotteries. Play responsibly. Always verify tickets, current rules, and prize claims with the official lottery or an authorized retailer.