Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States. Players choose 5 main numbers from 1-69 and 1 Powerball number from 1-26 for a chance to win huge jackpot prizes. But how many of those numbers do you need to match to actually win a prize?
Quick Answer
To win the Powerball jackpot, you need to match all 5 main numbers and the Powerball number. Matching just the Powerball will win you $4, while matching 1 main number plus the Powerball wins $4. Matching 2 main numbers plus the Powerball wins $7. The other prize levels are:
- Match 3 main numbers: $7
- Match 4 main numbers: $100
- Match 4 main numbers plus Powerball: $50,000
- Match 5 main numbers: $1 million
- Match 5 main numbers plus Powerball: Jackpot
So in summary, you need to match at least 2 numbers including the Powerball to win a prize, and you need all 6 numbers to win the jackpot.
Prize Levels and Odds of Winning
Let’s take a more in-depth look at the Powerball prize levels, odds of winning, and how many numbers you’ll need to match for each one.
| Prize Level | Match | Odds (1 in) |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | 5 main numbers + Powerball | 292,201,338 |
| $1 million | 5 main numbers | 11,688,053 |
| $50,000 | 4 main numbers + Powerball | 913,129 |
| $100 | 4 main numbers | 36,525 |
| $7 | 3 main numbers | 14,494 |
| $7 | 2 main numbers + Powerball | 1 in 701 |
| $4 | 1 main number + Powerball | 1 in 91 |
| $4 | Powerball only | 1 in 38 |
As you can see, the jackpot has staggeringly long odds of 1 in 292 million. You have a much better chance of winning one of the smaller prizes, but you still need to match at least 2 numbers plus the Powerball to do so. Matching just the Powerball offers the best odds, at 1 in 38, but the $4 prize is pretty small.
How Many Numbers Do You Need to Win?
Based on the Powerball prize structure, here is a summary of how many numbers you need to match to win each prize:
- Jackpot – Match all 5 main numbers and the Powerball number. You need all 6 numbers to win the jackpot prize.
- $1 million – Match 5 out of the 5 main numbers. You don’t need to match the Powerball for this prize.
- $50,000 – Match 4 out of the 5 main numbers and the Powerball number. You’ll need 5 numbers total.
- $100 – Match 4 out of the 5 main numbers. You don’t need the Powerball to win $100.
- $7 – Match 3 out of the 5 main numbers. You don’t need the Powerball for this prize.
- $7 – Match 2 of the main numbers and the Powerball. You’ll need only 3 numbers total.
- $4 – Match just 1 of the main numbers and the Powerball. You’ll need 2 numbers total.
- $4 – Match only the Powerball number. You’ll need just 1 number for this prize.
So in summary:
- Jackpot: 6 numbers
- $1 million: 5 main numbers
- $50,000: 5 numbers total
- $100: 4 main numbers
- $7: 3 main numbers
- $7: 3 numbers total
- $4: 2 numbers total
- $4: 1 number (just the Powerball)
Do You Need All the Numbers to Win?
No, you do not need to match all the numbers to win a Powerball prize. The only way to win the jackpot is to get all 6 numbers correct. But you can win smaller prizes by matching as few as just the Powerball number or 1 main number plus the Powerball.
Here is a summary:
- Match all 6 numbers to win the jackpot
- Match 5 main numbers to win $1 million
- Match just the Powerball to win $4
- Match 1 main number and the Powerball to win $4
You don’t need to match all the numbers like you would have to with a game like Mega Millions. With Powerball, getting even just 1 or 2 numbers right can win you a prize, albeit a small one.
What’s the Minimum Number You Need to Win?
The minimum number of matched numbers you need to win any Powerball prize is 1. You can match just the Powerball by itself to win $4. This offers the best odds out of all the prizes, at 1 in 38. But it also pays out the smallest amount.
The next level up is matching 1 main number plus the Powerball. This also pays $4, but occurs much less frequently, at odds of 1 in 91. After that, you’ll need to match at least 2 main numbers plus the Powerball to start winning the $7 prizes.
So in short, the minimum number of matched Powerball numbers needed to win a prize is:
- 1 number for $4 (just the Powerball)
- 2 numbers for $4 (1 main + Powerball)
- 3 numbers for $7 (2 main + Powerball)
With most other lottery games, you have to match at least 3 numbers to win anything. But with Powerball, getting just the Powerball number right is enough to win a small $4 prize.
What’s the Maximum Number You Can Match?
The maximum number of numbers you can match on a Powerball ticket is 6 out of 6. This would include matching all 5 main numbers from 1-69, as well as the Powerball from 1-26. Matching all 6 is the only way to win the Powerball jackpot.
The overall odds of hitting the 6 number jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338. To put that in perspective, you are:
- 5,000x more likely to get struck by lightning in your lifetime
- 3,000x more likely to get a hole-in-one in golf
- 47x more likely to bowl a 300 game
As you can see, your chances of matching all 6 numbers are exceedingly slim. But Powerball does offer smaller prizes if you match 5 main numbers, 4 main + Powerball, 4 main only, and so on down to just the Powerball.
What are the Chances of Winning?
Your chances of winning any Powerball prize are about 1 in 24.87. However, your odds go up or down dramatically depending on how many numbers you match:
- Match all 6: 1 in 292 million (jackpot)
- Match 5 main: 1 in 11 million ($1 million)
- Match 4 main + PB: 1 in 913,000 ($50,000)
- Match 4 main: 1 in 36,500 ($100)
- Match 3 main: 1 in 14,500 ($7)
- Match 1 main + PB: 1 in 91 ($4)
- Match just PB: 1 in 38 ($4)
As you can see, your odds of matching all 6 for the jackpot are exceedingly low. But your chances of winning $4 for getting just the Powerball number right are a much more reasonable 1 in 38. The catch is that the $4 prize doesn’t amount to much considering the $2 cost per ticket.
Do You Have Better Odds in a Smaller or Bigger Jackpot?
Your base odds of winning any Powerball prize remain the same regardless of the current jackpot size. The odds are set based on the game’s design and don’t change.
That said, your odds can seem better or worse depending on jackpot size because more people tend to play when the top prize is higher. With more players, there’s a greater chance more numbers will be covered and it may therefore be harder for you to win.
The bottom line is the stated odds always remain static. But your practical chances of winning can appear to go up or down based on the number of people playing. When the jackpot is smaller, fewer people play, so your odds of winning a prize feel higher.
Conclusion
In summary, here’s a quick rundown of how many numbers you need to match to win Powerball prizes:
- Jackpot: Match all 6 numbers (5 main + PB)
- $1 million: Match 5 main numbers
- $50,000: Match 4 main + PB
- $100: Match 4 main numbers
- $7: Match 3 main numbers
- $7: Match 2 main + PB
- $4: Match 1 main number + PB
- $4: Match just the Powerball
You don’t need to match all the numbers like with some other lotteries. With Powerball, you can match as few as 1 number or just the Powerball and still win a small prize. The catch is the $4 payout isn’t much. But Powerball does offer better odds of winning something compared to games like Mega Millions.
Just don’t count on hitting the 292 million to 1 odds of the jackpot. Focus instead on the smaller prizes that offer much better chances of winning, even if you match only 1-2 numbers. Over time, those small prize payouts can add up to a nice amount, especially if you are playing with a lottery pool or syndicate group to share the costs.
Powerball may promote its massive jackpots, but you’re much more likely to win by matching just a couple of numbers. Play wisely using these number matching insights, and your chances of scoring a prize will be at their best!
