Mega Millions® tickets cost $2.00 per play.
Players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 25 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick. You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in a drawing.
Until further notice, the starting jackpot will vary based on sales and will be announced before each drawing.
There are a total of nine ways to win a prize in Mega Millions, ranging from the jackpot down to $2:
Match
Prize*
Odds
Match:
Prize*:
Jackpot
Odds:
1 in 302,575,350
Match:
Prize*:
$1,000,000
Odds:
1 in 12,607,306
Match:
Prize*:
$10,000
Odds:
1 in 931,001
Match:
Prize*:
$500
Odds:
1 in 38,792
Match:
Prize*:
$200
Odds:
1 in 14,547
Match:
Prize*:
$10
Odds:
1 in 606
Match:
Prize*:
$10
Odds:
1 in 693
Match:
Prize*:
$4
Odds:
1 in 89
Match:
Prize*:
$2
Odds:
1 in 37
Overall chances of winning any prize:
1 in 24
Match:
Prize*:
Jackpot
Odds:
1 in 302,575,350
Match:
Prize*:
$1,000,000
Odds:
1 in 12,607,306
Match:
Prize*:
$10,000
Odds:
1 in 931,001
Match:
Prize*:
$500
Odds:
1 in 38,792
Match:
Prize*:
$200
Odds:
1 in 14,547
Match:
Prize*:
$10
Odds:
1 in 606
Match:
Prize*:
$10
Odds:
1 in 693
Match:
Prize*:
$4
Odds:
1 in 89
Match:
Prize*:
$2
Odds:
1 in 37
Overall chances of winning any prize:
1 in 24
* In California, all prizes are pari-mutuel, meaning payouts are based on sales and the number of winners. All other Mega Millions states set the 2nd through 9th prizes at pre-determined amounts.
What if you win the jackpot?
Annuity option: The Mega Millions annuity is paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments. Each payment is 5% bigger than the previous one. This helps protect winners’ lifestyle and purchasing power in periods of inflation.
See more information about the annuity option.
Cash option: A one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to all the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool.
Just the Jackpot
In some states, a special offer called Just the Jackpot is available. Jackpot players will love this exciting wager type that allows them to play specifically for the jackpot only. At a price of $3, the player will receive two plays for the jackpot only. Just the Jackpot tickets are not eligible for any other prize levels. To see if the lottery in your jurisdiction offers this option, visit that lottery’s website (you can find links on our “Where to Play” page).
Megaplier®
Most states offer a Megaplier feature to increase non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times; it costs an additional $1 per play. Before each Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday and Friday nights, the Megaplier is drawn. From a pool of 15 balls, five are marked with 2X, six with 3X, three with 4X and one with 5X. This mix results in the following odds for each of the Megaplier numbers and their associated prize values:
Match
Your prize if the Megaplier number is:
2
(1 in 3)
3
(1 in 2.5)
4
(1 in 5)
5
(1 in 15)
$2,000,000
$3,000,000
$4,000,000
$5,000,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$20
$30
$40
$50
$20
$30
$40
$50
$8
$12
$16
$20
$4
$6
$8
$10
Match:
Your prize if the Megaplier number is:
2 (1 in 3)
$2,000,000
3 (1 in 2.5)
$3,000,000
4 (1 in 5)
$4,000,000
5 (1 in 15)
$5,000,000
Match:
Your prize if the Megaplier number is:
2 (1 in 3)
$20,000
3 (1 in 2.5)
$30,000
4 (1 in 5)
$40,000
5 (1 in 15)
$50,000
Match:
Your prize if the Megaplier number is:
2 (1 in 3)
$1,000
3 (1 in 2.5)
$1,500
4 (1 in 5)
$2,000
5 (1 in 15)
$2,500
Match:
Your prize if the Megaplier number is:
2 (1 in 3)
$400
3 (1 in 2.5)
$600
4 (1 in 5)
$800
5 (1 in 15)
$1,000
Match:
Your prize if the Megaplier number is:
2 (1 in 3)
$20
3 (1 in 2.5)
$30
4 (1 in 5)
$40
5 (1 in 15)
$50
Match:
Your prize if the Megaplier number is:
2 (1 in 3)
$20
3 (1 in 2.5)
$30
4 (1 in 5)
$40
5 (1 in 15)
$50
Match:
Your prize if the Megaplier number is:
2 (1 in 3)
$8
3 (1 in 2.5)
$12
4 (1 in 5)
$16
5 (1 in 15)
$20
Match:
Your prize if the Megaplier number is:
2 (1 in 3)
$4
3 (1 in 2.5)
$6
4 (1 in 5)
$8
5 (1 in 15)
$10
FAQs
When is next Mega Millions drawing? Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.
What is the next Mega Millions drawing? ›
When is next Mega Millions drawing? Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.
How many numbers does it take to win on Mega Millions? ›
Mega Millions® tickets cost $2.00 per play. Players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 25 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick. You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in a drawing.
How much is one number right on Mega Millions? ›
How many balls do I need to match for Mega Millions prize? You can win $2 for the matching just one - the Mega Ball. Short of the jackpot, you can win up to $1 million for matching all five white balls (except in California) to the jackpot for matching all six balls.
What is Powerball jackpot? ›
Choose five numbers 1 to 69 and one number 1 to 26 to be your Powerball. To win the Powerball jackpot, match the six numbers on your ticket to the drawn six-number combination (five numbers plus the Powerball). The odds of winning the jackpot prize are 1 in 292.2 million.
Who won the Mega Millions jackpot? ›
June 7, 2019 - $522 million ($340.0 million cash) won by Laarni Bibal with a ticket purchased in San Diego, Calif.
How the Mega Millions pays out? ›
If you are a Mega Millions® jackpot winner, you will have the choice of a Cash Option or an Annual Payout. Annuity option: Provides for an initial annual payment followed by 29 annual payments. Each payment is 5 percent larger than the previous one.
How much is the Mega Millions winnings over 30 years? ›
If you match all six numbers on your ticket, you'll have the choice between $1.1 billion paid out as an annuity over 30 years or taking home a lump sum payment of $525.8 million, per usamega.com. Most winners choose the lump sum option, even though it's less than half of the total jackpot amount.
How do I claim my Mega Millions prize? ›
To claim, download the Claim Form (PDF) or pick one up at any Lottery retail location or District Office. Fill out and sign the claim form, and don't forget to sign your winning ticket, too! Watch this short video to ensure you complete your claim form correctly.
Can 2 numbers win Mega Millions? ›
What is the Mega Millions payout on matching 2 lottery numbers? Matching two numbers won't win anything in Mega Millions unless one of the numbers is the Mega Ball. A ticket matching one of the five numbers and the Mega Ball is worth $4. Visit www.megamillions.com for a complete list of payout information.
Complete game information and prize claiming instructions are available at all Lottery retailers. There was no jackpot winner in California for this draw. But there are 94,726 winning tickets! Get your ticket for the next draw.
Is it worth playing the Megaplier? ›
The Megaplier doesn't change or improve your odds of winning a Mega Millions prize and can't guarantee that you'll win a prize. But if you do win a non-jackpot prize, Mega Millions Megaplier will significantly boost your total prize amount!
Has anyone ever won Mega Millions with quick pick? ›
$536 Million (Indiana) On July 8, 2016, an Indiana couple won this mega jackpot after buying 5 Quick Pick tickets on a road trip. The winning family was able to remain anonymous by accepting their prize through a law firm in the state.
Who won the lottery 14 times? ›
The question is, how on earth did he do it? Well, according to Stefan Mandel, it wasn't even that hard - the Romanian-Australian economist putting it down to 'simple math'. With the help of a group of investors and a syndicate called the International Lotto Fund, Mandel targeted 14 lotteries around the world.
What is the luckiest Mega Ball number? ›
When it comes to the Mega Ball, these five numbers have been drawn most frequently: 9, 15, 3, 10, and 1. These have all been drawn more than 100 times, Lotto America shows.
Did someone win the Mega Million last night? ›
Complete game information and prize claiming instructions are available at all Lottery retailers. There was no jackpot winner in California for this draw. But there are 94,726 winning tickets! Get your ticket for the next draw.
Has anyone hit the Powerball? ›
2. $1.765 billion. A single Powerball ticket sold in California won the second largest U.S. lottery jackpot in October 2023. Taken as a cash payout instead of an annuity, it would be worth $774.1 million before taxes.
How many Powerball numbers do you need to win anything? ›
How many Powerball numbers do you need to win a prize? You only need to match one number in Powerball to win a prize. However, that number must be the Powerball worth $4. Visit powerball.com for the entire prize chart.
How often is there a Mega Millions drawing? ›
Mega Millions® drawings are held Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 10:00 p.m. Central Time, 9:00 p.m. Mountain Time, 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Drawings are held at WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. Check with your state lottery for the cut-off time to purchase tickets.
