Overview
Set for Life has 7 prize tiers. The top prize is £10,000 per month for 30 years (or a lump sum option). You need to match 5 main numbers and the Life Ball for that tier. Odds below are based on official National Lottery figures.
Important
Odds do not change based on when you play or which numbers you pick. Each line has the same probability.
Set for Life prize structure (official odds)
Set for Life prize structure (official odds)| Tier | Match | Odds | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 main + Life Ball | 1 in 15,339,390 | £10,000/month for 30 years |
| 2 | 5 main numbers | 1 in 1,704,377 | £10,000/month for 1 year |
| 3 | 4 main + Life Ball | 1 in 22,821 | £250 |
| 4 | 4 main numbers | 1 in 2,536 | £50 |
| 5 | 3 main + Life Ball | 1 in 1,024 | £25 |
| 6 | 3 main numbers | 1 in 114 | £5 |
| 7 | 2 main + Life Ball | 1 in 98 | Free ticket |
Overall odds of winning any prize: 1 in 11.4.
Source: National Lottery – Set for Life
Top prize — £10K/month for 30 years
- Odds: 1 in 15.3 million per line.
- Format: 30 years of monthly payments, or a lump sum (terms vary; check official rules).
- Won: A few times per year on average. With 2 draws per week, the top tier is hit less often than UK Lotto jackpot in absolute terms.
Second tier — £10K/month for 1 year
Match 5 main numbers but not the Life Ball. Odds: 1 in 1.7 million. Still very rare, but ~9× more likely than the top tier.
Lower tiers and value
Match 3 + Life Ball (£25) and Match 3 (£5) are the most common wins. The game remains negative in expected value; the £2 ticket price exceeds the average return.
Go further
- National Lottery: Set for Life — official odds and results
- Fetix: UK Lotto prize tiers — comparable analysis
FAQ
What are the exact odds for each tier?
The National Lottery publishes official odds. The table above uses those figures. For the latest, see national-lottery.co.uk.
Can I take a lump sum instead of £10K/month?
The top prize has a lump sum option. Terms change; check official rules.
How often is the £10K/month won?
A few times per year on average. With 2 draws per week, the top tier is won less frequently than UK Lotto jackpot.
What if I match 5 but not the Life Ball?
You win the second tier: £10,000 per month for 1 year (or equivalent).
Is Set for Life better value than UK Lotto?
Neither has positive expected value. Set for Life has better overall odds (1 in 11.4) but a fixed top prize. UK Lotto has a rollover jackpot. Choose based on preference, not "value".
Why is missing just the Life Ball so much more common than hitting it?
The Life Ball is an independent 1-in-10 draw on top of matching all 5 main numbers, so missing it is about 9 times more likely than hitting it once you've matched the 5 main numbers.
Disclaimer
Set for Life is a game of chance. Odds and prize structure are set by the operator. Fetix does not guarantee any winnings.