How is this calculated?
The odds of winning a lottery jackpot come from the number of ways to choose K numbers out of N total numbers, regardless of order β the classic "combination" formula. For example, for a lottery that draws 6 numbers out of 45 (like South Korea's Lotto 6/45), there are about 8,145,060 possible combinations.
Why lottery odds are so low
It can feel like matching a handful of numbers should be easy, but the number of order-independent combinations grows explosively as the pool of numbers grows. That's why the jackpot odds for most lotteries are often described as lower than the odds of being struck by lightning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this include the bonus ball?
No β this calculator only computes the pure jackpot (first prize) odds of matching all K numbers out of N. Odds for lower-tier prizes that use a bonus number need to be calculated separately.
Can I use this for any country's lottery?
Yes. As long as you know the total number pool and how many numbers must be matched, the same formula works for any lottery drawn without regard to order β South Korea's Lotto, the US Powerball's main numbers, the EuroMillions, and more.