The Powerball jackpot is one of the most iconic lottery prizes in the world — known for turning everyday people into overnight millionaires. Every week, millions of Americans buy Powerball tickets in hopes of landing the next big win. With jackpots often reaching hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars, Powerball has become more than just a game — it’s a national obsession.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Powerball jackpot in 2025 — including how it works, how the jackpot grows, odds of winning, biggest winners, recent results, and smart tips for players.
What Is the Powerball Jackpot?
The Powerball jackpot is the grand prize awarded in the Powerball lottery — a multi-state lottery game available in 45 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls (from numbers 1–69) plus the red Powerball (from numbers 1–26). If no one wins, the jackpot rolls over and grows larger for the next draw.
Key Powerball Facts:
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Ticket price: $2 per play
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Power Play option: +$1 to multiply non-jackpot prizes
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Draw days: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
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Draw time: 10:59 PM Eastern Time
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Organized by: Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL)
How the Powerball Jackpot Works
The Powerball jackpot starts at $20 million and increases every draw until someone wins. A portion of every ticket sold contributes to the growing jackpot fund.
When a player hits all six numbers, they can choose between:
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Annuity option: The full advertised jackpot, paid over 30 annual payments, increasing by 5% each year.
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Cash option: A lump-sum payment (usually 50–60% of the advertised jackpot) paid immediately before taxes.
Example:
If the Powerball jackpot is $200 million, the cash option might be around $95 million. After federal taxes, the winner could receive around $60–70 million depending on their state’s tax laws.
Powerball Draw Schedule & Ticket Deadlines
| Day | Drawing Time (ET) | Ticket Sales Close |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:59 PM | 9:45–10:00 PM (varies by state) |
| Wednesday | 10:59 PM | 9:45–10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:59 PM | 9:45–10:00 PM |
Tickets can be purchased at licensed retailers or official lottery websites in participating states.
How to Play Powerball
Playing Powerball is simple and takes less than a minute. Here’s how:
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Pick five white numbers (1–69).
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Pick one red Powerball (1–26).
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Pay $2 per ticket.
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(Optional) Add Power Play for $1 to multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 10×.
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Wait for the draw and check your ticket against the winning numbers.
You can also choose a Quick Pick, where numbers are randomly generated by the lottery terminal.
Powerball Jackpot Odds and Prizes
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are approximately 1 in 292,201,338. While those odds are steep, smaller prizes are much easier to win.
| Match | Prize | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + Powerball | Jackpot | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| 5 | $1 million | 1 in 11,688,054 |
| 4 + Powerball | $50,000 | 1 in 913,129 |
| 4 | $100 | 1 in 36,526 |
| 3 + Powerball | $100 | 1 in 14,495 |
| 3 | $7 | 1 in 580 |
| 2 + Powerball | $7 | 1 in 701 |
| 1 + Powerball | $4 | 1 in 91 |
| Powerball only | $4 | 1 in 38 |
Overall, your odds of winning any prize are about 1 in 24.9.
Power Play Multiplier
Adding Power Play for $1 can dramatically boost your non-jackpot winnings:
| Multiplier | Applies To | Maximum Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, or 10× | All prizes except jackpot | Up to $2 million (for 5 matches) |
When the jackpot is below $150 million, the 10× Power Play can appear — giving players the chance to win up to $100,000 or $500,000 even without hitting the jackpot.
Biggest Powerball Jackpots of All Time
| Rank | Amount | Date | Location / Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | $2.04 billion | Nov 2022 | California |
| 2️⃣ | $1.76 billion | Oct 2023 | California |
| 3️⃣ | $1.586 billion | Jan 2016 | CA, FL, TN (shared) |
| 4️⃣ | $1.08 billion | Jul 2023 | California |
| 5️⃣ | $768.4 million | Mar 2019 | Wisconsin |
These record-breaking jackpots show just how massive Powerball prizes can grow when multiple draws pass without a winner.
Recent Powerball Jackpot Updates (October 2025)
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Last Draw Date: October 12, 2025
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Winning Numbers: 13, 16, 18, 20, 27 and Powerball 10
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Power Play: 2×
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Jackpot Status: No winner — rolls over to $260 million for the next draw (October 15, 2025).
Check the official website powerball.com for verified results and updates.
Tips to Improve Your Powerball Strategy
While Powerball is purely a game of chance, smart habits can improve your experience:
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Avoid common combinations (like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) — these are played often, so you’d split winnings if you ever won.
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Join a lottery pool with coworkers or friends to buy more tickets collectively.
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Always sign your ticket and store it safely.
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Check tickets twice — many small prizes go unclaimed.
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Use balanced number patterns — a mix of odd/even and high/low numbers.
Taxes on Powerball Jackpot Winnings
Winners must pay both federal and state taxes on their Powerball jackpot.
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Federal tax: 24% withheld automatically; can go up to 37% for high-income winners.
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State tax: Varies (e.g., California has 0%, New York up to 10.9%).
If you choose the lump-sum option, all taxes are deducted immediately from your payout.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much is the Powerball jackpot right now?
As of October 2025, the Powerball jackpot is around $260 million and growing.
What happens if nobody wins?
The jackpot rolls over to the next drawing, increasing by millions each time.
Can you play Powerball online?
Yes — some states offer official online ticket sales, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York.
How long do I have to claim winnings?
Claim periods vary by state, usually 90 days to 1 year after the draw.
Can non-U.S. citizens play Powerball?
Yes — anyone can buy tickets physically within the U.S., regardless of citizenship status.
