How Many Numbers on a Roulette Wheel? European, American and Triple-Zero Wheels Explained

The answer depends on the version you play. A European roulette wheel has 37 numbers (1 to 36 plus a single green 0). An American wheel has 38 because it adds a double zero (00). A triple-zero wheel has 39, with 0, 00 and 000 all on the same wheel.

Every version has the same numbers from 1 to 36, half red and half black. The difference is the green zero pockets, and each extra one gives the casino a bigger advantage. That is why counting the numbers on a roulette wheel is one of the most useful checks you can make before you bet.

This guide covers how many numbers each wheel has, how they are arranged around the wheel and on the table, how the zeros change your odds and the house edge (with worked examples), and how to tell which wheel you are playing online.

Here is how the three main wheels compare. The “numbers” are the pockets where the ball can land, zeros included.

French roulette uses the same 37-pocket wheel as European roulette. The difference is in the table rules, which are covered below.

European roulette is the standard version at UK and European casinos and the most common version online. The wheel has 37 pockets: the numbers 1 to 36, alternating red and black, plus one green zero.

Going clockwise from zero, the numbers are in this order:

0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26

The numbers are deliberately not in counting order. They are mixed so that neighbouring pockets alternate between red and black and between high and low numbers. This spreads out bet types like red/black and 1–18/19–36 evenly around the wheel. The zero sits between 26 and 32.

The 18 red numbers are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34 and 36. The other 18 numbers from 1 to 36 are black.

American roulette is the traditional game in US casinos. Its wheel has 38 pockets: 1 to 36, a green 0 and a green 00. The extra pocket is the only physical difference, but the numbers are also arranged in a different order:

0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 34, 15, 3, 24, 36, 13, 1, 00, 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, 8, 19, 31, 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 35, 14, 2

The 0 and 00 sit directly opposite each other. The colours are the same as on the European wheel, so 1 is still red and 2 is still black. Only the positions on the wheel have changed.

So if you are asked how many numbers are in roulette in the US, the usual answer is 38. In the UK and most of Europe it is 37.

Some Las Vegas casinos have added a third green pocket, 000, giving 39 pockets in total. The payouts are the same as on single- and double-zero tables, but the extra pocket lowers your chance of winning. As a result, the house edge rises to about 7.69% on every bet.

On some triple-zero wheels, the third zero is shown as a casino logo instead of “000”. If you see a third green pocket with a logo on it, treat it as another zero. This version is rare at UK-facing online casinos, but it is worth recognising so you can avoid it.

The betting layout, often called the board, shows the same numbers as the wheel, but in counting order. The numbers 1 to 36 are laid out in a grid of 12 rows and 3 columns, with the zero (or zeros) in a green box at the top.

• European board: 37 numbered boxes (0–36).
• American board: 38 numbered boxes (0, 00, 1–36).
• Triple-zero board: 39 numbered boxes (0, 00, 000, 1–36).

Around the grid you will find the outside bets: three dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36), three columns, red/black, odd/even and low/high (1–18/19–36). The zeros are not part of any outside bet, so all outside bets lose when the ball lands on a zero (French tables with la partage are an exception). For a full explanation of each bet, see our guide on how to play roulette.

Roulette pays as if there were only 36 numbers. A straight-up bet pays 35 to 1, so you get your stake back plus 35 times your stake. That would be a fair price on a wheel with 36 pockets. The green zeros give the casino its profit.

Your chance of hitting a single number on each wheel:

• European: 1 in 37 (2.70%)
• American: 1 in 38 (2.63%)
• Triple zero: 1 in 39 (2.56%)

Your chance of winning a bet on red (18 red numbers):

• European: 18/37 = 48.65%
• American: 18/38 = 47.37%
• Triple zero: 18/39 = 46.15%

These differences look small, but they apply to every spin. The house edge is simply the number of zeros divided by the total pockets: 1/37 = 2.70%, 2/38 = 5.26% and 3/39 = 7.69%.

American tables have one exception: the five-number bet on 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. It pays 6 to 1 and has a house edge of 7.89%, the worst bet on that table. Our roulette odds and payouts chart lists every bet in detail.

The house edge shows how much of the total amount you bet you can expect to lose on average over a long run of spins. It does not predict a single session, but it is the clearest way to compare wheels.

Example 1: £10 on a single number, 100 spins

You bet £10 a spin for 100 spins, so £1,000 in total. On average, you can expect to lose:

• European wheel: £1,000 × 2.70% = £27
• American wheel: £1,000 × 5.26% = £52.60
• Triple-zero wheel: £1,000 × 7.69% = £76.90

On average, the same play costs nearly twice as much on an American wheel and almost three times as much on a triple-zero wheel.

Example 2: checking the maths on one spin

Bet £1 on number 17 on a European wheel. You win £35 with probability 1/37 and lose £1 with probability 36/37. Expected result: (35 − 36) ÷ 37 = −£0.027, a loss of 2.7p per £1 bet. On an American wheel, it is (35 − 37) ÷ 38 = −£0.0526, or 5.26p per £1.

Example 3: French rules on even-money bets

On French roulette with la partage, you get half your stake back on even-money bets (such as red/black) if the ball lands on zero. That halves the house edge on those bets to about 1.35%. On £1,000 of even-money bets, the expected loss falls from £27 to about £13.50. En prison works in a similar way: your stake is held for the next spin, and the edge is almost as low.

Online casinos often list several roulette games under similar names, so check before you place a bet:

1. Count the green pockets. Look at the top of the betting board. One zero means a 37-number game; a 0 and 00 means 38.
2. Read the game name and help screen. “European” or “French” usually means a single zero. “American” means a double zero. The rules panel should show the RTP: about 97.30% for single zero and 94.74% for double zero.
3. Look for la partage or en prison. If you mainly bet on red/black, odd/even or high/low, a French table with one of these rules gives you the best odds.
4. Check live tables too. Live dealer roulette comes in both single- and double-zero versions, and some variants add side bets or multipliers that change the payouts. Read the paytable first.

Only play at casinos with a recognised gambling licence, where game results are independently tested. Our guide to choosing an online roulette casino covers what else to look for.

• Thinking all roulette is the same. A 38-number wheel has roughly double the house edge of a 37-number one, even though the payouts are the same.
• Forgetting zero when counting. There are 36 red and black numbers, but 37 or more pockets in total. Odds based on 36 are always too generous.
• Expecting “due” numbers. Each spin is independent. A number that has not appeared for 100 spins still has exactly a 1 in 37 chance on a European wheel.
• Believing a system can beat the zeros. Betting progressions change how your wins and losses are spread, not the house edge. Our roulette strategies tested guide explains why.
• Ignoring bonus terms. Many casino bonuses count roulette at a reduced rate, or not at all, towards wagering. Read the bonus terms before you use bonus funds on table games.

A popular piece of trivia: the numbers 1 to 36 add up to 666, which is why roulette is sometimes called “the devil’s game”. It has no effect on how the game plays.

• European and French wheels have 37 numbers, American wheels have 38 and triple-zero wheels have 39.
• Every wheel has 18 red and 18 black numbers. Only the number of green zeros changes.
• Each extra zero raises the house edge: 2.70%, then 5.26%, then 7.69%.
• For the best odds, choose a single-zero table, ideally French rules with la partage if you bet on even-money outcomes.

Roulette is a game of chance with a built-in house edge, so the casino comes out ahead over time. Treat it as paid entertainment, not a way to make money. Set a budget and a time limit before you play, never chase losses, and use your casino’s deposit limits and time-out tools. Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over only. If gambling stops being fun, contact a support service such as GamCare or BeGambleAware.