Mega Millions: Results, Odds, Jackpots & How to Play
Mega Millions is one of the largest multi-state lottery games in the United States, with jackpots that have repeatedly climbed above $1 billion.
The Lottery Rundown covers the latest Mega Millions results, winning numbers, jackpot updates, notable winners and lottery news in a fast podcast published five days a week.
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Mega Millions Quick Facts
- Ticket price: $5 per play
- White balls: Choose 5 numbers from 1 to 70
- Mega Ball: Choose 1 gold Mega Ball number from 1 to 24
- Drawings: Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Jackpot odds: 1 in 290,472,336
- Overall odds of winning any prize: approximately 1 in 23
- Multiplier: A randomly assigned 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X multiplier is included with every play
Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
How Mega Millions Works
A Mega Millions play consists of five different white-ball numbers from 1 through 70 and one gold Mega Ball number from 1 through 24. Players can select their own numbers or use a randomly generated selection.
To win the jackpot, a ticket must match all five white balls plus the Mega Ball. There are nine prize tiers in total.
Every $5 Mega Millions play also includes a randomly assigned multiplier of 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X. The multiplier applies to non-jackpot prizes and is printed on the ticket.
Mega Millions Prizes and Odds
| Match | Possible Prize | Approximate Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 white balls + Mega Ball | Jackpot | 1 in 290,472,336 |
| 5 white balls | $2 million to $10 million | 1 in 12,629,232 |
| 4 white balls + Mega Ball | $20,000 to $100,000 | 1 in 893,761 |
| 4 white balls | $1,000 to $5,000 | 1 in 38,859 |
| 3 white balls + Mega Ball | $400 to $2,000 | 1 in 13,965 |
| 3 white balls | $20 to $100 | 1 in 607 |
| 2 white balls + Mega Ball | $20 to $100 | 1 in 665 |
| 1 white ball + Mega Ball | $14 to $70 | 1 in 86 |
| Mega Ball only | $10 to $50 | 1 in 35 |
The exact non-jackpot prize depends on the multiplier assigned to the ticket. Prize amounts can differ in California, where non-jackpot prizes are calculated on a pari-mutuel basis.
How the Mega Millions Multiplier Works
Every Mega Millions play includes a randomly assigned multiplier. The possible multipliers are 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X and 10X.
For example, matching all five white balls without the Mega Ball wins $2 million with a 2X multiplier, $3 million with 3X, $4 million with 4X, $5 million with 5X or $10 million with 10X.
The multiplier applies to all non-jackpot prize tiers. It does not multiply the jackpot.
Mega Millions Jackpot: Cash vs. Annuity
Mega Millions jackpot winners generally have a choice between a cash option and an annuity option.
The advertised jackpot represents the annuity value. The annuity consists of one initial payment followed by 29 annual payments, with each payment increasing by 5 percent from the previous payment.
The cash option is a one-time lump-sum payment equal to the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool. It is therefore lower than the advertised annuity jackpot.
Both options are before applicable taxes.
Largest U.S. Mega Millions Jackpots
Mega Millions has produced several of the largest lottery jackpots ever won in the United States.
| Jackpot | Drawing Date | Winning State |
|---|---|---|
| $1.602 billion | August 8, 2023 | Florida |
| $1.537 billion | October 23, 2018 | South Carolina |
| $1.348 billion | January 13, 2023 | Maine |
| $1.337 billion | July 29, 2022 | Illinois |
The $1.602 billion Mega Millions jackpot won in Florida in August 2023 remains the largest Mega Millions jackpot on record.
Mega Millions Frequently Asked Questions
What days is Mega Millions drawn?
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
How much does a Mega Millions ticket cost?
Mega Millions costs $5 per play. The price includes a randomly assigned 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X multiplier that applies to non-jackpot prizes.
What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot?
The odds of matching all five white balls plus the Mega Ball are 1 in 290,472,336. The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are approximately 1 in 23.
What is the smallest Mega Millions prize?
Matching only the Mega Ball wins between $10 and $50, depending on the multiplier assigned to the ticket.
What happens if more than one ticket wins the jackpot?
If multiple tickets match all six winning numbers in the same drawing, the jackpot is shared among the jackpot-winning tickets.
Can Mega Millions winners remain anonymous?
Winner disclosure rules vary by jurisdiction. Some states allow winners to remain anonymous or claim through certain legal entities, while others require winners to be publicly identified. Winners should check the rules of the jurisdiction where the ticket was purchased.
How long does a winner have to claim a Mega Millions prize?
Claim deadlines vary by jurisdiction. Winning tickets must be redeemed according to the rules of the jurisdiction where they were purchased.
Follow the Latest Mega Millions Results
The Lottery Rundown follows every Mega Millions drawing, including winning numbers, jackpot rollovers, cash values, multiplier results, major prize winners, records and notable lottery news.
New rundowns are published five days a week and take about two minutes.
Listen to the latest episodes or follow The Lottery Rundown in your favorite podcast app.
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Information on this page was last reviewed in September 2026. The Lottery Rundown is an independent publication and is not affiliated with Mega Millions or any state lottery. Rules, prizes and game features can change. Always verify winning numbers and game information with the official lottery in the jurisdiction where a ticket was purchased. Play responsibly.