How Many Numbers on a Roulette Wheel? Wheel Layout Guide
Roulette is one of the most familiar casino games, and its spinning wheel is a key part of the experience. But how many numbers are there on a roulette wheel, and why do the layouts vary between European and American versions?
Understanding the wheel helps make sense of the options on the table. The type of wheel, the order of the numbers, and how the red, black, and green pockets are arranged all shape how the game works and the odds behind it.
This blog post explains how many numbers each wheel has, shows how the sequences differ, and looks at the colour split. It also touches on how the wheel’s design influences outcomes, so anyone curious about the game has more clarity before deciding whether to take part.
Read on to learn more.
How Many Numbers Are There on a Roulette Wheel?
A roulette wheel features a series of numbered pockets, each one a possible destination for the ball. The total number depends on the version in use.
In one version, the wheel includes a single green pocket alongside other numbers. In another, there’s an extra green space, bringing the count to a slightly higher total.
To be more precise:
- The European roulette wheel contains 37 pockets, numbered 1 to 36, plus a single green 0.
- The American roulette wheel has 38 pockets, covering the same 1 to 36 range, but with both a green 0 and a green 00.
Each format has 36 non-zero numbers, divided across two colours. It’s the number of green pockets that sets them apart—a detail that influences the mathematical edge the house holds.
European vs American Roulette Wheel Layouts
At first glance, both versions appear similar. But look closer, and key differences begin to show.
The European wheel follows a 37-pocket layout, including just one green 0. The American wheel adds an extra green space, the 00, which takes the total to 38. This change also adjusts the spacing between certain outcomes.
That additional pocket in the American version has a subtle but important effect. It slightly lowers the chances of all the red and black, odd and even results being successful, shifting the maths in favour of the casino. While payouts remain the same in both types, the extra green space means the underlying numbers aren’t quite balanced in the same way.
For context:
- European version: edge is around 2.70%
- American version: edge rises to approximately 5.26%
That contrast emerged over time, as the game evolved in different regions.
Why Does the Roulette Wheel Have Different Numbers?
Roulette developed along two main paths. In Europe, casinos eventually settled on a wheel with a single green space. Meanwhile, venues in the United States maintained a wheel that included a second green pocket.
Though both versions offer identical payouts for the various outcomes, it’s the layout—and in particular, the presence of that extra green space—that shapes the expected outcomes for different bets.
This distinction forms the foundation of the two main wheel types still used today.
With the counts understood, the next feature to explore is the number sequence on each wheel, which isn’t what you might expect.
What Order Are the Numbers in on a Roulette Wheel?
Unlike a number line, the values around the edge of the wheel aren’t arranged in simple sequence. Instead, they are placed to alternate between various properties: high and low, odd and even, red and black.
This design helps ensure that no section of the wheel feels overly clustered with similar numbers. It also gives rise to specific betting segments, based on how numbers sit next to each other on the rim.
The pattern is unique to each wheel type, adding to the distinct feel between versions.
European Roulette Number Sequence
The European roulette wheel, with its single green pocket, places the numbers in the following clockwise 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
This deliberate placement mixes the colours and types of numbers across the wheel, supporting styles of play that focus on certain zones or arcs.
American Roulette Number Sequence
The American version, with both a 0 and a 00, follows a different clockwise sequence:
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
This sequence keeps similar design principles in mind, spacing out different properties to avoid repetition and allow for wheel-based betting options.
How Many Reds and Blacks Are on a Roulette Wheel?
Most of the numbered pockets on a roulette wheel are either red or black, and they are split evenly between the two.
There are 18 red pockets and 18 black ones, spanning the numbers 1 to 36. The sequence ensures that no long stretches of the same colour appear side by side.
The green sections are set aside from this balance—and their placement has particular relevance for certain outcomes.
What About the Green Zero and Double Zero?
The green pockets are unique. They don’t belong to any of the usual categories—not red or black, not odd or even.
When the ball lands in one of these green spaces, it falls outside the scope of outcomes typically covered by the simplest wagers. For instance, if you’re considering placing an even-money bet on red or even numbers, these green results do not count toward a win.
The American wheel’s inclusion of both 0 and 00 means it has more of these exceptions, which is one of the reasons it offers different return expectations compared to its European counterpart.
In some venues using the European wheel, extra rules may apply to even-money bets when the ball lands on zero. Examples include La Partage or En Prison, which reduce the amount lost in these situations. When present, such rules bring the edge on those wagers closer to 1.35%.
How the Wheel Layout Affects Roulette Odds
The total number of pockets on the wheel influences how often each outcome can occur.
 On a European wheel, any single number has a 1 in 37 chance. On an American wheel, that chance becomes 1 in 38. Yet in both versions, the return for correctly picking a single number remains 35 to 1. This gap between probability and payout is what creates the house’s edge.
This also applies to broader bets. For example, red covers 18 pockets:
- European: 18 out of 37 possible outcomes
- American: 18 out of 38 possible outcomes
The green pockets, especially the extra one in the American version, slightly shift the balance of bets that might otherwise appear evenly divided. This subtle difference is what shapes the underlying figures for each version of the game.
If you choose to explore roulette, consider setting a personal limit, take breaks, and treat the experience as a form of entertainment. Support is always available, and there are helpful resources to guide how you engage with the game.
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*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.