🟡 How to Play Mega Millions

The rules in plain English — how to pick your numbers, when it's drawn, every prize tier and the real odds of winning.

What is Mega Millions?

Mega Millions is a draw game where you choose 5 numbers from 1 to 70, plus Mega Ball from 1 to 24. Drawings are held on Tuesday and Friday. Match the drawn numbers to win — the more you match, the bigger the prize, all the way up to the jackpot.

How to Play Mega Millions — Step by Step

  1. Step 1: Pick your numbers

    Choose 5 numbers from 1 to 70, then choose 1 Mega Ball from 1 to 24. Prefer to leave it to chance? Ask for a Quick Pick and the terminal selects your numbers at random.

  2. Step 2: Your built-in multiplier is applied automatically

    Every Mega Millions ticket includes a built-in multiplier — there's nothing extra to buy. When you play, a multiplier of 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 10x is randomly assigned and applied to any non-jackpot prize you win (the jackpot itself is never multiplied).

  3. Step 3: Choose your drawing

    Mega Millions is drawn on Tuesday and Friday. You can play a single drawing or enter multiple consecutive draws on one ticket.

  4. Step 4: Buy your ticket

    Purchase your Mega Millions ticket from an authorized lottery retailer in any participating state before that drawing's cut-off time. You must be of legal age in your state to play.

  5. Step 5: Check the results

    After the Tuesday/Friday draw, compare your numbers against the winning numbers. See the latest Mega Millions numbers and past results on our results page.

Mega Millions Prizes & Odds

Jackpot odds: 1 in 290,472,336  ·  Odds of winning any prize: 1 in 23

Match Odds Prize
5 + Mega Ball 1 in 290,472,336 Jackpot
Match 5 1 in 12,629,232 $1,000,000
4 + Mega Ball 1 in 893,761 $10,000
Match 4 1 in 38,859 $500
3 + Mega Ball 1 in 13,965 $200
Match 3 1 in 607 $10
2 + Mega Ball 1 in 665 $10
1 + Mega Ball 1 in 86 $7
Mega Ball only 1 in 35 $5

Fixed prize amounts shown are typical base values; some states and some games (and rolled or pari-mutuel tiers) may differ. The jackpot is shared if there are multiple top-tier winners.

See Latest Mega Millions Numbers →

Where You Can Play Mega Millions

Mega Millions is played in these states. The draw is the same everywhere — pick your state for local results, jackpot info, prize tiers and where to claim.

Arizona →Arkansas →California →Colorado →Connecticut →Delaware →District of Columbia →Florida →Georgia →Idaho →Illinois →Indiana →Iowa →Kansas →Kentucky →Louisiana →Maine →Maryland →Massachusetts →Michigan →Minnesota →Mississippi →Missouri →Montana →Nebraska →New Hampshire →New Jersey →New Mexico →New York →North Carolina →North Dakota →Ohio →Oklahoma →Oregon →Pennsylvania →Rhode Island →South Carolina →South Dakota →Tennessee →Texas →Vermont →Virginia →Washington →West Virginia →Wisconsin →Wyoming →

Mega Millions — Frequently Asked Questions

How do you play Mega Millions?

To play Mega Millions, choose 5 numbers from 1 to 70, plus Mega Ball from 1 to 24. You can pick your own numbers or use a Quick Pick. Buy your ticket from an authorized retailer before the drawing.

What are the odds of winning Mega Millions?

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336. The odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are about 1 in 23.

What days is Mega Millions drawn?

Mega Millions drawings are held on Tuesday and Friday.

How many numbers do you need to win a prize in Mega Millions?

You can win a prize in Mega Millions by matching as little as "Mega Ball only" — you do not need to match all of the numbers to win a lower-tier prize. Matching everything wins the jackpot.

Does Mega Millions have a multiplier?

Yes. Mega Millions includes a built-in multiplier on every ticket at no extra cost — a value of 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 10x is drawn at random and multiplies any non-jackpot prize you win. The jackpot is not multiplied.

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