Not financial, tax, investment, or legal advice. This calculator is for general information and entertainment only. The figures are estimates from published odds and simplified assumptions — they are not a prediction and may not match your actual taxes, returns, or situation. The lottery is a negative-expected-value bet; never play with money you can't afford to lose. Always consult a qualified financial, tax, or legal professional before making any decision.
Value per $1 as the jackpot grows
A ticket's value climbs with the cash jackpot but flattens once you account for sharing. Where the line crosses 100¢ is the break-even jackpot — beyond that a ticket is, on average, a winning bet.
How this is calculated: expected value is the fixed lower-tier prizes plus the cash jackpot divided by the jackpot odds, taxed at the rate you set. "Tickets sold" models jackpot splitting: with more tickets in play you're more likely to share the top prize, which caps a ticket's value no matter how high the jackpot climbs — which is why a lottery ticket is essentially never a good bet in practice. This is an estimate for general information only and is not financial, tax, investment, or legal advice. Real outcomes depend on tax brackets, state rules, the number of actual winners, and chance; figures may be inaccurate or out of date. Do not rely on this tool to make any financial decision — consult a licensed professional, and only play the lottery for entertainment with money you can afford to lose.