Complete Powerball prize breakdown: all 9 prize levels, fixed prize amounts, how Power Play works, jackpot payout options, and how to claim your winnings.
Powerball has 9 prize levels. Eight of these are fixed-amount prizes, while the jackpot grows with each rollover. Draws are held three times per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM Eastern Time.
| Prize Level | Match Required | Odds (1 in...) | Prize | With Power Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | 5 white + Powerball | 292,201,338 | Jackpot | Not multiplied |
| 2nd Prize | 5 white (no Powerball) | 11,688,054 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| 3rd Prize | 4 white + Powerball | 913,129 | $50,000 | Up to $250,000 |
| 4th Prize | 4 white (no Powerball) | 36,525 | $100 | Up to $500 |
| 5th Prize | 3 white + Powerball | 14,494 | $100 | Up to $500 |
| 6th Prize | 3 white (no Powerball) | 580 | $7 | Up to $35 |
| 7th Prize | 2 white + Powerball | 701 | $7 | Up to $35 |
| 8th Prize | 1 white + Powerball | 92 | $4 | Up to $20 |
| 9th Prize | Powerball only | 38 | $4 | Up to $20 |
* Power Play multipliers (2x–5x, or 10x when jackpot is under $150M) are randomly drawn. The 2nd prize is always doubled to $2,000,000 with Power Play, regardless of the multiplier drawn.
The Powerball jackpot starts at a minimum announced amount and grows by an estimated amount before each drawing. The jackpot has no hard cap, which is why it can grow into the hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars.
Jackpot winners choose between:
The vast majority of jackpot winners choose the cash option despite receiving less money overall, because of investment opportunities, uncertainty about future tax rates, and personal circumstances.
Powerball prizes over $5,000 are subject to 24% federal withholding. State taxes vary widely: California, Florida, and Texas have no state income tax on lottery winnings, while states like New York can withhold an additional 10.9%. Effective total tax rates for large jackpots can reach 35-40% or more depending on your state and marginal tax bracket.
Claim periods vary by state (typically 90 days to 1 year from the draw date). Always sign the back of your ticket immediately after purchase to protect it from theft. Keep it in a safe place until you claim your prize.
The largest Powerball jackpot in history was $2.04 billion, won on November 7, 2022, by a single ticket sold in Altadena, California. The winner chose the cash option of approximately $997.6 million before taxes.
No. The Power Play multiplier applies to all non-jackpot prizes only. The jackpot itself is never multiplied by Power Play, regardless of which multiplier is drawn.
Lottery tickets are bearer instruments — whoever presents the ticket can claim the prize. If you lose a winning ticket, it is generally very difficult to prove ownership without additional evidence. This is why it's crucial to sign the back of your ticket immediately after purchase.
The prize amounts are the same regardless of state, but state taxes on prizes vary significantly. Additionally, some states (like California) do not allow anonymous lottery winners, while others do. Always check your specific state's lottery rules.