Powerball and Mega Millions are America's two biggest lottery games, with jackpots regularly exceeding $500 million. But which one gives you better odds? Which has bigger prizes? Here's everything you need to know to make an informed choice.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Powerball | Mega Millions |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot Odds | 1 in 292M ✓ | 1 in 302M |
| Any Prize Odds | 1 in 24.9 | 1 in 24 ✓ |
| Ticket Price | $2 | $2 |
| Drawing Days | Mon, Wed, Sat | Tue, Fri |
| Record Jackpot | $2.04B ✓ | $1.537B |
| Second Prize | $1,000,000 ✓ | $1,000,000 |
| Match 4 + Bonus | $50,000 ✓ | $10,000 |
The Bottom Line
Powerball has better jackpot odds and higher non-jackpot prizes. Mega Millions has slightly better odds of winning any prize. Both are great choices—consider playing both on different days.
Detailed Odds Comparison
Understanding the odds helps you set realistic expectations. Here's how each prize tier compares:
Powerball Odds
| Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + Powerball | Jackpot | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| 5 | $1,000,000 | 1 in 11,688,054 |
| 4 + Powerball | $50,000 | 1 in 913,129 |
| 4 | $100 | 1 in 36,525 |
| 3 + Powerball | $100 | 1 in 14,494 |
| 3 | $7 | 1 in 580 |
| 2 + Powerball | $7 | 1 in 701 |
| 1 + Powerball | $4 | 1 in 92 |
| Powerball only | $4 | 1 in 38 |
Mega Millions Odds
| Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + Mega Ball | Jackpot | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| 5 | $1,000,000 | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| 4 + Mega Ball | $10,000 | 1 in 931,001 |
| 4 | $500 | 1 in 38,792 |
| 3 + Mega Ball | $200 | 1 in 14,547 |
| 3 | $10 | 1 in 606 |
| 2 + Mega Ball | $10 | 1 in 693 |
| 1 + Mega Ball | $4 | 1 in 89 |
| Mega Ball only | $2 | 1 in 37 |
Key Differences Explained
1. Number Pools
Powerball: Pick 5 numbers from 1-69, plus 1 Powerball from 1-26
Mega Millions: Pick 5 numbers from 1-70, plus 1 Mega Ball from 1-25
Powerball has a smaller main pool (69 vs 70) but larger bonus pool (26 vs 25), resulting in slightly better jackpot odds overall.
2. Drawing Schedule
Powerball: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday at 10:59 PM ET
Mega Millions: Tuesday, Friday at 11:00 PM ET
This means you can play both games without overlap, giving you 5 chances to win big each week.
3. Multiplier Options
Power Play ($1 extra): Multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x (when jackpot is under $150M)
Megaplier ($1 extra): Multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x
The 10x Power Play is only available when the Powerball jackpot is under $150 million, making early-jackpot tickets potentially more valuable for non-jackpot wins.
Which Lottery Should You Play?
Choose Powerball If:
- ✓ You want slightly better jackpot odds
- ✓ You prefer higher mid-tier prizes ($50K vs $10K)
- ✓ You want the chance at 10x multiplier
- ✓ You play on Monday, Wednesday, or Saturday
Choose Mega Millions If:
- ✓ You want better odds of winning any prize
- ✓ You prefer higher Match 4 prizes ($500 vs $100)
- ✓ You play on Tuesday or Friday
- ✓ You like a slightly smaller number pool
Best Strategy
Many serious players buy tickets for both games. This maximizes your chances across 5 weekly drawings while diversifying your number selections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which lottery has better odds of winning the jackpot?
Powerball has slightly better jackpot odds at 1 in 292,201,338 compared to Mega Millions at 1 in 302,575,350. However, both are extremely difficult to win.
Which lottery has bigger jackpots?
Both have similar average jackpots, but Powerball holds the record for the largest jackpot ever: $2.04 billion in November 2022. Mega Millions' record is $1.537 billion.
Can I play both Powerball and Mega Millions?
Yes! They have different drawing days, so you can play Powerball on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, and Mega Millions on Tuesday and Friday.
Is Power Play or Megaplier worth it?
The multiplier options increase your ticket cost by 50% but can significantly boost non-jackpot prizes. They're generally worth considering if you play regularly, especially for the Power Play 10x option when available.
What are my actual chances of winning anything?
Your odds of winning any prize are about 1 in 25 for both games. Most wins are small ($2-$7), but they help offset your ticket costs over time.