Last updated Written by Lottery reporter
Mega Millions is one of the two big multi-state lotteries in the United States, next to Powerball. You pick 5 numbers from 1 to 70 and a gold Mega Ball from 1 to 24, with draws every Tuesday and Friday. Since April 2025 a play costs $5, and a multiplier on every non-jackpot prize is included. It is sold in 45 states, Washington D.C. and the US Virgin Islands; see our overview of American lotteries for the other games.
Mega Millions results
On this page: How to play · Prizes and odds · Claiming and tax · Mega Millions vs Powerball · FAQ
Mega Millions in 30 seconds
| Country | United States: 45 states, Washington D.C. and the US Virgin Islands |
|---|---|
| Operator | A consortium of the participating state lotteries |
| Draw days | Tuesday and Friday, 11:00 pm Eastern Time |
| Price per play | $5, multiplier included |
| Format | 5 numbers from 1–70, plus 1 Mega Ball from 1–24 |
| Starting jackpot | $50 million |
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 290,472,336 |
| Odds of any prize | About 1 in 23 |
| Record jackpot | $1.602 billion (August 2023, Florida) |
What Is Mega Millions?
Mega Millions started in 1996 as The Big Game with six member states and has carried its current name since May 2002. It is not run by one national lottery: the participating state lotteries run it together and sell the tickets themselves, each under its own state rules.
The game changed sharply on 5 April 2025. The price went from $2 to $5, the separate Megaplier add-on disappeared, and every play now gets a random multiplier of 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x on non-jackpot prizes. The number of gold Mega Balls dropped from 25 to 24, which made the jackpot slightly easier to win, and the starting jackpot rose from $20 million to $50 million.
How to Play Mega Millions
- Pick 5 different numbers from 1 to 70.
- Pick 1 gold Mega Ball from 1 to 24, or ask for a quick pick of all six.
- Choose the draw. Most states also let you buy several draws in advance.
- Pay $5 per play. Your multiplier (2x to 10x) is assigned at random and printed on the ticket.
- Buy from an authorised retailer in a participating state, or through your state lottery’s own online service where that exists. Keep the ticket.
Mega Millions Draw Days and Times
Draws take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 pm Eastern Time, which is 5:00 am the next morning in most of Western Europe. Ticket sales close earlier; the cut-off is set by each state lottery. You can find the draw days of other lotteries on our results and draw days page.
Mega Millions Prizes and Winning Odds
| Match | Prize | Odds 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + Mega Ball | Jackpot | 290,472,336 |
| 5 | $2M – $10M | 12,629,232 |
| 4 + Mega Ball | $20,000 – $100,000 | 893,761 |
| 4 | $1,000 – $5,000 | 38,859 |
| 3 + Mega Ball | $400 – $2,000 | 13,965 |
| 3 | $20 – $100 | 607 |
| 2 + Mega Ball | $20 – $100 | 665 |
| 1 + Mega Ball | $14 – $70 | 86 |
| Mega Ball | $10 – $50 | 35 |
The lower amount in each range is the base prize at a 2x multiplier; the higher amount is the same prize at 10x. Every winning play pays at least $10, twice the ticket price. The jackpot is the only prize the multiplier does not touch. Compare these odds with other games in our lottery odds calculator.
Mega Millions Results and Winning Numbers
The official winning numbers are published on megamillions.com and by every participating state lottery shortly after the draw. A retailer terminal can check your ticket, and most state lottery apps can scan it. If you bought through your state’s online service, the result appears in your account.
How to Claim Mega Millions Prizes
Small prizes are paid at retailers; larger prizes are claimed at a state lottery office or by mail. You must claim in the state where the ticket was bought, under that state’s rules. Claim deadlines differ per state, typically from 180 days to one year after the draw.
A jackpot winner chooses between the annuity and a lower cash value. The annuity is paid in 30 instalments over 29 years, each 5% higher than the one before. Some states require you to choose cash within 60 days of the draw; after that the prize defaults to the annuity.
Winnings are taxed. For US residents, 24% federal tax is withheld on prizes above $5,000, and most states add their own income tax. For non-residents the default federal withholding is 30%, unless a tax treaty sets a lower rate. More in lottery tax by country.
Mega Millions vs Powerball
| Mega Millions | Powerball | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5 | $2 |
| Format | 5/70 + 1/24 | 5/69 + 1/26 |
| Draws | Tue, Fri | Mon, Wed, Sat |
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 290.5 million | 1 in 292.2 million |
| Record | $1.602 billion | $2.04 billion |
The jackpot odds are almost the same. The real difference is the price and what you get for it: Mega Millions costs more per play but builds the multiplier into every ticket, while Powerball is cheaper and draws three times a week. Read more about the biggest jackpot winners in the world.
Where Can You Play Mega Millions?
Official tickets are sold only by the participating state lotteries: at authorised retailers, and online in the states that offer their own online sales. You must be physically inside such a state to buy from its lottery. Tourists can buy a ticket at a retailer and claim a prize; you do not need to be a US citizen or resident.
Outside the US you cannot buy directly from a state lottery. Some international services buy an official ticket on your behalf; whether that is allowed depends on the rules in your own country. We compare these services on our ticket sellers page.
Responsible Play
The minimum age is 18 in most states and 21 in some, such as Arizona, Iowa and Louisiana. A lottery ticket is a game of chance, not an investment, and at $5 per play the costs add up quickly. Set a fixed budget. If playing stops being fun, read about the signs of a gambling problem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mega Millions
How much does a Mega Millions ticket cost?
$5 per play since 5 April 2025. The price includes a random multiplier of 2x to 10x on non-jackpot prizes, so there is no separate add-on any more.
What happens if nobody wins the jackpot?
The jackpot rolls over to the next draw and keeps growing. There is no cap. After a win it starts again at $50 million.
Is the Mega Ball still 1 to 25?
No. Since April 2025 the Mega Ball is drawn from 1 to 24. Many websites still show the old 1–25 range and the old odds of 1 in 302.6 million.
Can foreigners win Mega Millions?
Yes. Anyone of legal age can buy a ticket from an authorised retailer in a participating state and claim a prize there. For non-residents, the federal tax withheld is normally 30%.
Cash or annuity: what is the difference?
The advertised jackpot is the annuity value, paid in 30 rising instalments over 29 years. The cash option pays a lower amount at once. Both are taxed.
Official Sources
- Mega Millions, the official game website: rules, prizes and winning numbers
- The game rules of your state lottery, for claim deadlines, minimum age and payment options
