Dreaming of hitting the jackpot? Mega Millions offers a chance to turn that dream into reality. This guide covers everything you need to know about playing, including the potential payouts and how to increase your chances of winning.
What is Mega Millions?
Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery game with drawings held twice a week, offering participants the opportunity to win substantial jackpots and other cash prizes. A single ticket costs $2. The jackpot grows with each drawing until someone wins it. Jackpots can be won by one person or shared among multiple winners.
When are the Mega Millions Drawings?
Drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. You can find the results on the official Mega Millions website or at any lottery retailer. Keep in mind that ticket sales typically end at 10:45 p.m. ET on draw nights. All sales are final, and tickets cannot be canceled.
How to Play Mega Millions
Mega Millions playslip
- Choose your numbers: Select five numbers from 1 to 70, and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. You can use a playslip to mark your numbers.
- Easy Pick (Quick Pick): Opt for a computer-generated random selection of numbers.
- Combination Play: Mix and match your favorite numbers with computer-generated picks.
Each ticket costs $2. All prizes, except the jackpot, are fixed dollar amounts. The jackpot amount depends on the prize pool for that specific drawing.
Megaplier: Multiply Your Winnings
Enhance your potential winnings with Megaplier. For an additional $1 per play, you can multiply your non-jackpot prize by 2, 3, 4, or 5! This add-on could boost your winnings up to $5,000,000. The Megaplier number is drawn randomly before each Mega Millions drawing.
Playing Options
- Multi-Draw: Play the same numbers for multiple consecutive drawings (up to 26) on a single ticket. The ticket price increases with each additional draw.
- Future Draw: Purchase a ticket for a specific future draw date.
- Repeat Play: Have the same numbers printed on multiple tickets (up to 20 times).
- Just the Jackpot: (Available at retail only) Get two Easy Pick plays that only qualify for the jackpot prize for $3 (a $1 savings).
When using optional plays, inform the retailer of your preferences (Multi-Draw, Future, or Repeat).
Two Chances to Win Each Week
Remember these points when playing Mega Millions:
- Ticket sales end at 10:45 p.m. ET on draw nights.
- Mega Millions tickets cannot be canceled, and all sales are final.
- When using optional plays, communicate your preferred options to the retailer.
Mega Millions Prizes and Odds
| Match | Prizes (Without Megaplier) | Odds (Overall 1:24) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Balls + Mega Ball | Jackpot | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| 5 Balls | $1,000,000 | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| 4 Balls + Mega Ball | $10,000 | 1 in 931,001 |
| 4 Balls | $500 | 1 in 38,792 |
| 3 Balls + Mega Ball | $200 | 1 in 14,547 |
| 3 Balls | $10 | 1 in 606 |
| 2 Balls + Mega Ball | $10 | 1 in 693 |
| 1 Ball + Mega Ball | $4 | 1 in 89 |
| Mega Ball | $2 | 1 in 37 |
Megaplier Prize Multipliers:
| Match | 2x Megaplier | 3x Megaplier | 4x Megaplier | 5x Megaplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Balls + Mega Ball | Jackpot* | Jackpot* | Jackpot* | Jackpot* |
| 5 Balls | $2,000,000 | $3,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
| 4 Balls + Mega Ball | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 |
| 4 Balls | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,500 |
| 3 Balls + Mega Ball | $400 | $600 | $800 | $1,000 |
| 3 Balls | $20 | $30 | $40 | $50 |
| 2 Balls + Mega Ball | $20 | $30 | $40 | $50 |
| 1 Ball + Mega Ball | $8 | $12 | $16 | $20 |
| Mega Ball | $4 | $6 | $8 | $10 |
*The jackpot prize is not affected by Megaplier and will remain unchanged.
If multiple tickets match all six numbers, the jackpot is shared. Jackpot winners choose between an Annual Payout or a Cash Option.
Crunch the Numbers
Want to analyze the frequency of drawn numbers? Use the number cruncher to view statistics. Remember that each draw is random, and every number has an equal chance of being selected.
Legal Stuff
Jackpot amounts are determined based on game sales and interest rates. Refer to the official game rules for detailed information.
