How Many Numbers to Win a Prize on EuroMillions: Prize Tiers Explained
Ever wondered how many numbers you actually need to win a prize on EuroMillions?
With so many prize tiers and combinations, working out your odds and what you could win can feel a bit confusing. We’ve broken it down so the structure is clear, the prize routes make sense, and you can see what each tier requires.
We encourage sensible play: only spend what you can comfortably afford while enjoying the game.
EuroMillions Prize Structure: How Does It Work?
EuroMillions uses a tiered system where prizes depend on how many numbers you match. A standard entry has five main numbers (1–50) and two Lucky Star numbers (1–12). Matching more of those numbers moves a ticket up the prize ladder, from the smallest payouts at the lower tiers to the jackpot at the very top.
There are 13 prize tiers in total. The jackpot is awarded for matching all five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars, while the lowest-paid tier requires matching two main numbers. Prize values for each tier depend on ticket sales and how many winners share the pool that week; some payouts are fixed, others vary. The jackpot starts at around £14 million and can increase across draws if not won.
Read on to see how the draws are conducted and why the process matters for every ticket sold.
How Are EuroMillions Numbers Drawn?
Draws use specialised machines that mix numbered balls and select winning balls at random. Separate machines handle the five main numbers and the two Lucky Stars, and the process is overseen by independent observers with regular audits to ensure everything follows the official procedures. The separation of machines reduces the risk of mechanical error affecting more than one part of the draw.
The equipment is routinely tested, calibrated and maintained so each draw remains impartial and consistent. Technical checks are carried out before and after draws, and logs are kept to record performance and any interventions. Because the process is governed by strict protocols and independent verification, every entry bought for a draw competes on equal terms.
Next, we will look at how those drawn numbers map onto the different prize tiers and what combinations create each level of prize. This explains how matching different numbers and Lucky Stars affects the prize you could win and why some combinations pay out more than others.
What Are the EuroMillions Prize Tiers?
The 13 prize tiers are defined by combinations of main numbers and Lucky Stars. Prizes start at matching two main numbers and increase as you add more main numbers or Lucky Stars to a winning line.
Matching only Lucky Stars without main numbers does not produce a prize. Conversely, two main numbers alone do qualify for the lowest prize tier. Other tiers include mixes such as one main number plus both Lucky Stars, or four main numbers with one or both Lucky Stars—the full set of combinations fills out all 13 tiers and distributes the prize pool accordingly.
Below this overview, specific combinations are explained so you can see which patterns pay out and which do not. These details help clarify why some tiers pay fixed amounts while others depend on the draw’s total pool.
Matching Just the Lucky Stars
Matching only the two Lucky Stars does not win a prize. At least two main numbers, or one main number combined with both Lucky Stars, are needed for a payout.
Matching Main Numbers Only
You win a prize when you match at least two main numbers without any Lucky Stars. Matching:
- two main numbers qualifies for the lowest-paid tier;
- three or four main numbers increases the prize progressively, with larger amounts for higher matches.
Matching Main Numbers and Lucky Stars
Combining main numbers with one or two Lucky Stars moves a ticket into the higher tiers. Examples include:
- one main number plus both Lucky Stars;
- two, three, four or five main numbers combined with one or both Lucky Stars.
The top tier—matching all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars—awards the jackpot. The following section examines how those prize amounts typically translate into cash values.
How Much Can You Win in Each Prize Tier?
Prize amounts vary each draw because they depend on ticket sales and how many winners share a tier. The jackpot, which starts at about £14 million, can climb substantially when it rolls over. Other tiers range from small, fixed sums to mid‑range amounts that fluctuate.
Typical examples give a sense of scale: the full jackpot can reach well into double‑digit millions when it rolls; matching five main numbers with one Lucky Star often yields a six‑figure prize; five main numbers without Lucky Stars commonly produces a mid‑five‑figure outcome; and lower tiers for three or two matching main numbers usually deliver modest prizes up to a few hundred pounds. Exact payouts aren’t confirmed until after the draw, when the prize pool is divided among that tier’s winners.
Knowing the general size of each tier helps set expectations, and the next section explains what is specifically required to secure the jackpot itself.
EuroMillions Jackpot: What Does It Take to Win?
The jackpot requires a single combination: all five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars in the same entry. That specific set is the only way to claim the top prize, which explains why jackpots can grow large if there are no winners over successive draws.
There is a statistical rarity to this outcome that keeps jackpot wins infrequent. The jackpot also has a maximum cap; once that cap is reached, any excess funds are distributed to lower tiers to bolster their payouts.
Turning now to the relative chances of each tier, the next section outlines the odds and how they compare across the prize ladder.
Odds of Winning in Each EuroMillions Prize Tier
Each prize tier has a defined probability based on the combination required. The jackpot—matching five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars—has odds of about 1 in 139 million. Other high tiers are also rare: five main numbers with one Lucky Star is around 1 in 6.9 million, and five main numbers alone is roughly 1 in 3.1 million.
Mid and lower tiers improve in likelihood: four main numbers with both Lucky Stars is approximately 1 in 621,000, four main numbers with one Lucky Star around 1 in 31,000, and the lowest tier (two main numbers) sits near 1 in 22. These figures explain why many players win smaller prizes more often than the headline jackpots. Because each draw is independent and governed by random selection, there are no legitimate methods to increase these probabilities beyond buying more entries.
With that perspective on odds, it’s useful to know the tax position on any EuroMillions prizes in the UK, which is explained next.
Do You Pay Tax on EuroMillions Winnings in the UK?
EuroMillions prizes are currently tax-free in the UK, so the amount announced as the prize is the amount received by the winner. That applies across all tiers, from smaller winnings to the jackpot.
However, if winnings are invested or generate interest, those subsequent returns may be liable for tax under standard rules. Interest on savings, dividends from investments and any income produced by assets bought with lottery money will normally be subject to income tax or other applicable taxes. Capital gains tax may apply if you sell investments or assets bought with your winnings and they have increased in value.
Tax legislation can change, so it is sensible to keep informed about current regulations if you do receive a significant prize. You should consider seeking independent tax or financial advice to understand how best to manage and protect your funds, including any implications for inheritance tax or gifting rules.
The final section clears up some common myths that can mislead players about how the game operates.
Common Myths About EuroMillions Prizes
Misunderstandings about EuroMillions often arise from how draws and odds are perceived. Clarifying these points helps set realistic expectations.
Myth: Certain Numbers Are ‘Luckier’ Than Others
Some people think certain numbers appear more often, but every number has an equal chance in each draw because selection is random; past frequency does not influence future draws.
Myth: Buying More Tickets Guarantees a Win
Purchasing more tickets increases the number of entries but does not guarantee a prize. Every entry faces the same defined odds, so extra tickets only proportionally increase exposure to those odds.
Myth: Prizes Are Always Guaranteed
There is no guarantee of winning; prizes depend entirely on matching the drawn combination and on how many winners share a tier in any given draw.
Myth: You Pay Tax on Winnings in the UK
As covered earlier, EuroMillions prizes are currently received tax‑free in the UK.
Clearing up these misconceptions makes it easier to approach the game with realistic expectations and enjoy it for what it is.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.