Overview
Thunderball has 9 prize tiers. You can win by matching just the Thunder Ball (0 main + TB) or up to 5 main numbers plus the Thunder Ball. 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.
Thunderball prize structure (official odds)
Thunderball prize structure (official odds)| Tier | Match | Odds | Typical prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 main + Thunder Ball | 1 in 8,060,598 | £500,000 |
| 2 | 5 main numbers | 1 in 620,046 | £5,000 |
| 3 | 4 main + Thunder Ball | 1 in 47,415 | £250 |
| 4 | 4 main numbers | 1 in 3,648 | £100 |
| 5 | 3 main + Thunder Ball | 1 in 1,437 | £20 |
| 6 | 3 main numbers | 1 in 111 | £10 |
| 7 | 2 main + Thunder Ball | 1 in 135 | £10 |
| 8 | 1 main + Thunder Ball | 1 in 35 | £5 |
| 9 | Thunder Ball only | 1 in 29 | £3 |
Overall odds of winning any prize: 1 in 13.
Source: National Lottery – Thunderball
How prizes work
- Top tier (5+TB): Fixed £500,000; not shared. Won roughly a few times per year.
- Other tiers: Pari-mutuel or fixed depending on tier. Check official rules for current amounts.
- Match TB only: Most common win; £3 fixed. About 1 in 29 lines wins something.
Jackpot vs other tiers
Jackpot vs other tiersThe jackpot (5+TB) is far rarer than UK Lotto—1 in 8 million vs 1 in 45 million for Lotto—but the top prize is fixed at £500K and does not roll over. Thunderball runs four times per week (Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat), so more draws = more chances at the top tier.
Go further
- National Lottery: Thunderball — official odds and results
- Fetix: UK Lotto prize tiers — comparable analysis
FAQ
What are the exact odds for each Thunderball tier?
The National Lottery publishes official odds. The table above uses those figures. For the latest, see national-lottery.co.uk.
Does the Thunder Ball alone win anything?
Yes. Matching just the Thunder Ball (0 main numbers) wins £3. It is the most frequent winning tier.
How often is the £500K won?
A few times per year on average. With 4 draws per week, the top tier is won more often than UK Lotto jackpot in absolute terms, but odds per line remain 1 in 8 million.
Can I see past Thunderball payouts?
Check National Lottery Thunderball for recent draw results and payouts.
Is Thunderball better value than UK Lotto?
It depends on what you value. Thunderball has better overall odds (1 in 13) and a fixed £500K top prize. UK Lotto has a rollover jackpot. Neither has positive expected value.
If Match TB alone is 1 in 29, why is the overall odds of winning anything 1 in 13?
Because the overall "any prize" figure combines the probabilities of all nine tiers together, including Match TB, so it is necessarily better than any single tier's individual odds.
Disclaimer
Thunderball is a game of chance. Odds and prize structure are set by the operator. Fetix does not guarantee any winnings.