How to Price Raffle Tickets (Guide + Free Calculator) [2026]

When deciding how much you should charge for raffle tickets, there are a few variables to consider. This guide walks through pricing strategies, formulas, and real-world examples to help you find the right price point for your next raffle.

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Table of contents

• How much should you charge for raffle tickets?

• Raffle ticket price calculator

• What is the best raffle ticket price?

• 5 easy steps to determine raffle ticket cost

• How to price your 50/50 raffle tickets

• 6 tips for boosting your ticket sales

• How Special Olympics Idaho sold over 4,000 raffle tickets for free with Zeffy

• Learning from more real results: How nonprofits price their raffle tickets

• Common raffle pricing mistakes to avoid

• Pricing your raffle tickets for success

• Raffle ticket pricing FAQ

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How much should you charge for raffle tickets?

When deciding how much you should charge for raffle tickets, there are a few variables to consider:

• Prize value: The price of raffle tickets should reflect the value of the prizes being offered. If the prizes are high in value, you may be able to charge a higher price for tickets. Conversely, if the prizes are less valuable, you may need to lower the ticket price to attract buyers.

• Target audience: Think about who you're selling to and the financial means of your target audience. If your audience consists of individuals with higher disposable income, you may be able to charge a higher price for tickets. However, if your audience has limited financial resources, you may need to keep the ticket price affordable.

• Fundraising goals: Determine how much money you need to raise through the raffle and calculate how many tickets you'll need to sell to reach that goal. Consider the balance between ticket price and the number of tickets you can reasonably expect to sell.

• Competitive analysis: Research what other similar raffles in your area are charging for tickets. This can give you a benchmark to gauge what price range is reasonable and competitive.

• Value proposition: You can also add value by offering incentives to entice people to purchase tickets at a higher price. This could include offering bundles or discounts for purchasing multiple tickets, or including additional perks such as VIP experiences or exclusive merchandise.

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Raffle ticket price calculator

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What is the best raffle ticket price?

The most effective pricing for raffle tickets depends on various factors such as the value of the prizes, the target audience's demographics and willingness to pay, and the fundraising goals of the organization. However, there are some common strategies and pricing options that tend to be effective.

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Raffle ticket pricing by prize value (quick reference)

If you're wondering "what should I actually charge?", this table gives you a practical starting point based on real-world benchmarks and common nonprofit results.

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Once you have a rough range in mind, here's how to think about applying it:

• Stay within the range that matches your prize value

• Start on the lower end if your audience is more price-sensitive

• Use bundles to gently increase how much each person spends

If you're unsure, it's usually better to:

• Price slightly lower

• Make it easy for people to say yes

• Let volume do the work

You can always adjust as you go, but starting with a price people feel good about is what gets tickets moving in the first place.

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Single ticket pricing

Single-ticket pricing is a straightforward approach where each raffle ticket is sold individually at a set price. Common single ticket prices range from $1 to $10, depending on the factors mentioned above.

Here are some examples:

• $1 per ticket

• $2 per ticket

• $5 per ticket

• $10 per ticket

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Bundle pricing

Bundle pricing involves offering discounts for purchasing multiple tickets together. This encourages people to buy more tickets at once, increasing the overall revenue from ticket sales.

Examples include:

• 3 tickets for $5

• 5 tickets for $10

• 10 tickets for $20

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Tiered pricing

Tiered pricing offers different price points for tickets based on their perceived value or the chance of winning. Higher-priced tickets may include additional perks or entries into exclusive prize categories.

Examples include:

• Basic ticket: $1 each

• Standard ticket: $5 each

• Premium ticket: $10 each (includes entry into a special prize drawing)

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VIP or exclusive packages

VIP or exclusive packages offer a premium experience or additional benefits along with raffle ticket purchases. This can justify higher ticket prices and attract donors looking for a unique experience.

Examples include:

• VIP package: $50 (includes raffle tickets, VIP seating at the event, and exclusive access to a VIP reception)

• Sponsor package: $100 (includes raffle tickets, recognition as a sponsor, and promotional benefits)

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5 easy steps to determine raffle ticket cost

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Step 1: Determine a fundraising goal

Before considering pricing tickets, first consider how much money you need to raise through the raffle to support your cause or project. Having a clear target will guide your pricing strategy.

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Step 2: Evaluate prize value

Assess the value of the prizes you'll be offering in the raffle. The ticket price should reflect the perceived value of the prizes to incentivize ticket sales. Consider whether the prizes are high-value items that warrant higher ticket prices or smaller items that may require lower prices.

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Step 3: Assess expenses and costs

When determining raffle ticket prices, consider the expenses of the event, like:

• Prize cost: The cost of purchasing or acquiring the raffle prizes is one of the most significant expenses. Consider the retail value of the prizes, any discounts or donations received, and any additional costs such as shipping or taxes.

• Printing and marketing materials: You may incur costs for printing raffle tickets, posters, flyers, and other marketing materials to promote the raffle. Factor in the cost of design, printing, and distribution when determining your pricing strategy.

• Event expenses: If your raffle is part of a larger fundraising event, consider any expenses associated with venue rental, catering, entertainment, staffing, and other event logistics. These costs should be factored into the overall budget and ticket pricing.

One expense you can eliminate entirely: platform and processing fees. Most ticketing platforms charge 2–8% per transaction, which eats into your revenue before you even count it. With Zeffy, raffle ticket sales are 100% free — no platform fees, no processing fees, so every dollar raised goes directly to your cause.

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Step 4: Determine ticket sales target

Divide the remaining fundraising goal by the expected revenue generated per ticket sale. If you have multiple pricing options (e.g., single tickets, bundles), calculate the average revenue per ticket based on your sales projections.

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Step 5: Consider audience affordability

Evaluate your target audience's demographics and financial means. Ensure that the calculated ticket price aligns with what your audience is likely willing to pay. Adjust the price if necessary to strike a balance between affordability and revenue generation.

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Tip: The raffle ticket formula

The formula for finding raffle ticket prices can vary depending on factors such as fundraising goals, prize costs, and expenses.

However, a basic formula for calculating the price of a raffle ticket is:

Ticket Price = (Fundraising Goal + Total Expenses) ÷ Number of Tickets to be Sold

Here's a breakdown of the components of the formula:

• Fundraising goal: This is the total amount of money you aim to raise through the raffle. It should be a realistic and achievable target based on your organization's needs and objectives.

• Total expenses: These are the costs associated with organizing the raffle, including raffle prize costs, printing and marketing materials, event expenses, legal permits, payment processing fees, and any other miscellaneous expenses.

• Number of tickets to be sold: This is the estimated number of tickets that need to be sold to reach your fundraising goal. It can be calculated by dividing the remaining fundraising target (after subtracting total expenses) by the expected revenue per ticket sale.

Before setting your price, make sure you understand the raffle laws in your state — some jurisdictions have rules around ticket pricing, prize limits, and required permits.

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How to price your 50/50 raffle tickets

Pricing 50/50 raffle tickets involves considerations similar to pricing regular raffle tickets, with the added element of splitting the proceeds evenly between the winner and the fundraising cause.

Here's how to price your 50/50 raffle tickets effectively:

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Step 1: Set a fundraising goal

Determine the total amount of money you aim to raise through the 50/50 raffle. This goal will guide your pricing strategy.

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Step 2: Evaluate the prize split

Decide on the percentage split of the proceeds between the winner and the fundraising cause. A common split is 50% for the winner and 50% for the cause, hence the name "50/50" raffle.

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Step 3: Calculate revenue target

Because half goes to the winner, you'll need to generate double your fundraising goal in total sales. This represents the amount of money that needs to be generated from ticket sales for the fundraising cause.

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Step 4: Estimate ticket sales

Based on the revenue target and the expected revenue per ticket sale, estimate the number of tickets that need to be sold to reach the revenue target.

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Step 5: Determine ticket price

Divide the revenue target by the estimated number of tickets to be sold to calculate the price per ticket. This price should be affordable for participants while ensuring that the fundraising goal is met.

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A simple 50/50 raffle example (so you can see how this works)

Let's say your goal is to raise $5,000 for your organization. Because it's a 50/50 raffle, only half of the total sales go to your cause — the other half becomes the prize.

That means:

• You actually need to generate $10,000 in total ticket sales

• $5,000 goes to the winner

• $5,000 goes to your organization

Now, let's map that to pricing:

• If you expect to sell 500 tickets: $10,000 ÷ 500 tickets = $20 per ticket

• You could price your raffle as: $20 for 1 ticket, 3 tickets for $50 (bundle to increase average spend)

A quick way to check your numbers:

• Start with your fundraising goal

• Double it (for 50/50 split)

• Divide by realistic ticket sales

The key is making sure your pricing and sales expectations actually match.

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6 tips for boosting your ticket sales

Once your pricing is set, here's how to actually get tickets moving:

• 1. Start selling early — and don't stop promoting. The biggest mistake nonprofits make is launching their raffle too close to the draw date. Give yourself at least 4–6 weeks of selling time, and promote across email, social media, and in-person events. Consistency matters more than any single post.

• 2. Use bundles to increase average spend. A single $5 ticket feels like a small bet. But "5 tickets for $20" reframes the purchase as a better deal — and most people will take it. Bundles are the easiest way to raise more per buyer without raising your base price.

• 3. Get your supporters to sell for you. Your board members, volunteers, and most engaged donors have networks you can't reach alone. Give them a unique raffle ticket link they can share via text or email, and watch your reach multiply. Zeffy's shareable ticket pages make this easy.

• 4. Invest in a prize that sells itself. A $500 gift card takes explanation. A car, a luxury trip, or a cash prize? People get it immediately. The easier your prize is to understand and get excited about, the less convincing you have to do. If budget is tight, partner with local businesses for donated prizes — it's a win-win.

• 5. Create urgency with a ticket cap or early-bird deadline. "Only 500 tickets available" or "Early-bird pricing ends Friday" gives people a reason to act now instead of later. Later usually means never.

• 6. Sell tickets everywhere — online and in person. Don't limit yourself to one channel. Set up an online raffle page for digital reach, but also sell in person at events, after church services, at local businesses, and anywhere your supporters gather.

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How Special Olympics Idaho sold over 4,000 raffle tickets for free with Zeffy

Special Olympics Idaho is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports training and competitions. With a mission to foster inclusion, acceptance, and dignity for all athletes, the organization relies on fundraising initiatives to support its programs and events.

The nonprofit faced the challenge of raising funds to support their athletes' training, travel expenses, and competition opportunities. They recognized the potential of hosting a raffle fundraiser but needed an efficient way to reach a wider audience and streamline ticket sales processes.

To address these challenges, Special Olympics Idaho partnered with Zeffy, an online ticketing platform specializing in event management and raffle ticket sales.

With Zeffy's integrated ticketing system, supporters could conveniently purchase raffle tickets online through the dedicated ticketing page. Plus, Zeffy provided secure payment processing options and real-time tracking of ticket sales, allowing the organization to monitor progress and adjust strategies as needed.

Through their collaboration with Zeffy, Special Olympics Idaho successfully raised over $40,000 and sold over 4,000 raffle tickets in support of their athletes.

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Learning from more real results: How nonprofits price their raffle tickets

Below are 3 more nonprofits that hosted their own kind of raffle and took on various pricing strategies that we outlined below for you to learn from.

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1. Small community raffle — Central Pennsylvania Humane Society

Raffle: Pucks & Paws Raffle

Amount raised: $4,800

Purchases: 209

Avg purchase: ~$23

Duration: 6 weeks (Feb–Mar 2026)

The Central Pennsylvania Humane Society kept things simple with a hockey-themed raffle and prizes under $500, and it worked. Over six weeks, 209 people bought tickets at an average of about $23, bringing in $4,800.

Instead of anything flashy or a massive prize, they focused on a strong local audience that wanted to support a cause they care about.

What this shows: You don't need a big-ticket item to run a successful raffle. When your community is engaged, smaller prizes can still drive meaningful results.

Pricing takeaway: For prizes under $500, keeping tickets in the $10–$25 range makes it easy for more people to participate — and that volume adds up.

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2. Mid-size car raffle — Georgetown Volunteer Fire Company

Raffle: 2025 GVFC Ford Bronco Raffle

Raised: $84,667

Purchases: 1,868

Avg purchase: ~$45

Duration: 3 months (Jul–Oct 2025)

Georgetown Volunteer Fire Company took a more traditional route with a car raffle. They offered a 2025 Ford Bronco and sold 1,868 ticket purchases at around $45 each, raising over $84,000 in three months. Car raffles are easy to understand, widely appealing, and give people a clear sense of value.

What this shows: A strong prize can carry your raffle, even if your audience isn't huge. You don't need viral reach — you just need consistent interest.

Pricing takeaway: For vehicle prizes in the $25K–$50K range, the $40–$50 ticket range tends to hit the sweet spot. Bundles (like 3 for $100) can help increase average order size without raising the barrier to entry.

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3. Large high-ticket raffle — Toys for Hospitalized Children

Raffle: 5th Annual Luxury Watch Raffle

Raised: $280,381

Purchases: 1,149

Avg purchase: ~$244

Duration: ~3 months (Jul–Sep 2025)

Toys for Hospitalized Children went in a completely different direction — with high-ticket pricing and a luxury prize. With an average purchase of $244, they sold 1,149 tickets and raised over $280,000 in under three months. Fewer buyers, but each one contributed significantly more.

What this shows: If the prize feels worth it, people are willing to spend more. This approach works especially well for organizations with a broader or national audience.

Pricing takeaway: For luxury prizes ($5,000+), higher ticket prices ($100–$250+) can work well. You're not aiming for mass participation — you're aiming for higher-value buyers. Limiting ticket quantity can also help create urgency.

All three raffles ran on Zeffy with no platform or transaction fees, so more of what they raised stayed with their organizations.

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Common raffle pricing mistakes to avoid

Even with a strong prize, small pricing missteps can make a big difference in how many tickets you actually sell. Here are a few to watch for:

• Pricing too high for your audience. It's easy to focus on the prize value and forget who you're selling to. If tickets feel like a stretch, people hesitate or don't buy at all.

• Not accounting for unsold tickets. Many raffles don't sell out. If your pricing only works if every ticket sells, you risk falling short of your goal.

• Ignoring local raffle rules or limits. Some states and regions have rules around pricing, prize values, or how raffles can be run. It's worth double-checking before setting your price.

• Only offering one ticket option. Flat pricing (e.g., just $10 per ticket) can limit how much people spend. Bundles give supporters an easy reason to buy more without overthinking it.

• Skipping simple, round numbers. Prices like $5, $10, or $20 are easier to process and quicker to say yes to — especially in person or on mobile.

Before you finalize your pricing, ask:

• Would someone buy this without needing to think twice?

• Does this still work if we don't sell every ticket?

• Are we making it easy for people to buy more than one?

If the answer is yes, you're likely in a strong spot.

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Pricing your raffle tickets for success

The most successful raffles don't just pick a price — they match it to their audience, their goals, and how many tickets they can realistically sell. Your tickets need to be priced in a way that considers your audience, but also helps you bring in as much revenue as possible.

With Zeffy, nonprofits can host a raffle completely for free, and manage donors and marketing communication while they're at it. Completely free and easy to use, Zeffy helps your nonprofit create raffle tickets and manage the event entirely — no hidden fees or costs.

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Raffle ticket pricing FAQ

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