You’re probably sitting there, staring at a crumpled orange-and-white ticket, wondering if your life just changed forever. Or maybe you're just curious if that massive pile of money is still up for grabs. Honestly, checking the results can feel like a mini-heart attack every single time.
When was the last powerball drawing? It literally just happened on Monday night, January 12, 2026.
The numbers are out, the machines have stopped spinning, and the officials at the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee have already done their thing. If you missed the live broadcast at 10:59 p.m. ET, don't worry—I've got the breakdown of what went down.
The Winning Numbers from Monday Night
Let’s get straight to it. If you have your ticket in front of you, look for these specific digits.
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The winning numbers for the January 12 drawing were: 5, 27, 45, 56, 59 and the red Powerball was 4.
There was also a Power Play multiplier, which was 2x. If you didn't win the big one but matched a few numbers, that little "2x" could double your smaller prize. Kinda nice, right?
Did Anyone Actually Win the Jackpot?
Basically, no.
Nobody hit all six numbers to take home the grand prize. Because of that, the jackpot is doing that thing we all love (and hate)—it's rolling over. It was sitting at an estimated **$137 million** ($61.9 million cash option) for Monday’s draw. Since there wasn't a big winner, the prize for the next one is jumping up to $156 million.
While no one grabbed the $137 million, someone in Florida is waking up a lot richer today. A single ticket sold in the Sunshine State matched all five white balls to win **$1 million**. It’s not "buy-your-own-island" money, but it's definitely "quit-your-job-and-breathe" money.
When Is the Next Drawing?
If you're already thinking about the next round, you’ve only got a couple of days to wait. Powerball draws three times a week now. They used to just do Wednesdays and Saturdays, but they added Mondays a while back to keep the jackpots growing faster.
The next drawing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 10:59 p.m. ET.
You usually have until about 10:00 p.m. ET on the night of the draw to buy a ticket, though that varies a bit depending on which state you’re in. Some states cut off sales an hour before, others a bit later. Just don't wait until 10:58. You’ll be the person at the gas station counter while the clerk says, "Sorry, too late," and that is a bad vibe.
Understanding the "Double Play" Side Game
A lot of people skip over the Double Play option because it costs an extra buck, but it's worth checking if you played it. It's a separate drawing that happens right after the main one using the same numbers on your ticket.
For Monday, January 12, the Double Play numbers were 11, 23, 24, 54, 56 with a Powerball of 5.
The top prize for Double Play is always $10 million. It doesn't roll over like the main jackpot, but it’s a flat $10 million every single time. Honestly, if I won $10 million, I wouldn’t be complaining that it wasn't $100 million.
What Most People Get Wrong About Checking Results
I've seen people throw away winning tickets because they thought they had to match everything to get paid. That's a huge mistake. You can win just by matching the red Powerball.
Here is how the prize tiers generally work, keeping it simple:
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- Match the Powerball only: You win $4. (Hey, it pays for your next two tickets!)
- Match 3 white balls: You win $7.
- Match 3 white balls + Powerball: You win $100.
- Match 4 white balls: You win $100.
- Match 5 white balls: You win $1 million.
The odds are tough—1 in 292.2 million for the jackpot—but the overall odds of winning any prize are about 1 in 24.9. Those aren't actually that bad if you think about it.
Your Immediate Next Steps
If you think you have a winner, stay calm. Seriously. People do crazy stuff when they see those numbers match.
First, sign the back of your ticket immediately. In most states, a lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument," which basically means whoever holds it, owns it. If you drop it and someone else picks it up, they can claim your prize if your name isn't on the back.
Second, check your state's lottery website. Whether you're in Texas, Ohio, or California, each state has its own rules for how to claim. Small prizes (usually under $600) can be claimed at most retailers. Anything bigger usually requires a trip to a lottery regional office or even the headquarters.
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If you didn't win this time, the $156 million jackpot for Wednesday is officially waiting. You can pick your own numbers or go with the "Quick Pick"—statistically, most winners actually come from those computer-generated numbers.
Take a breath, double-check your numbers one last time against the official state lottery app, and if you're playing again for Wednesday, keep it fun. Good luck.