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Lotto vs Thunderball: Which Should You Play?
Both are National Lottery games, but they’re built for different players. Lotto chases big rolling jackpots; Thunderball offers shorter odds for a fixed prize. Here’s the head-to-head.
The key differences
| Lotto | Thunderball | |
|---|---|---|
| Top prize | Rolling jackpot (from ~£2m) | Fixed £500,000 |
| Top-prize odds | 1 in 45,057,474 | 1 in 8,060,598 |
| Line price | £2 | £1 |
| Draw days | Wed & Sat | Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat |
Which is right for you?
If you dream of a life-changing multi-million jackpot and don’t mind very long odds, Lotto is the one. If you’d rather have a much better chance at a still-substantial £500,000 — for half the ticket price — Thunderball makes sense.
The honest point
Neither can be beaten over time; both are entertainment. For details see the Lotto prize breakdown and the Thunderball prize breakdown, or see the easiest UK lottery to win.
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier to win, Lotto or Thunderball?
Thunderball has shorter top-prize odds (1 in 8,060,598) but a fixed £500,000 prize; Lotto has a bigger, rolling jackpot at longer odds.
Which has the bigger prize?
Lotto — its jackpot rolls and can reach many millions; Thunderball’s top prize is a fixed £500,000.
Which costs more?
Lotto is £2 a line; Thunderball is £1.
Related guides: the Lotto prize breakdown, the Thunderball prize breakdown and the easiest UK lottery to win.