Mega Millions Lottery - Life-Changing Jackpots & Exciting Gameplay

How to Play Mega Millions

Select 5 main numbers: Pick 5 numbers from 1 through 70. You can choose them yourself or use Easy Pick for a computer-generated selection. No two of your chosen numbers can be the same.
Pick 1 Mega Ball number: Choose 1 Mega Ball number from 1 through 25, separate from your main numbers. Even matching just the Mega Ball without any main numbers pays $2, and matching it alongside main numbers increases your prize tier.
Add the Megaplier (optional): For $1 more per play, you can add the Megaplier multiplier. If a Megaplier is drawn (2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x), all non-jackpot prizes are multiplied accordingly. A Match-5 prize of $1 million becomes $5 million with a 5x Megaplier.
Purchase your ticket before the cut-off: Ticket sales close approximately 15 to 45 minutes before each draw — check your state's specific deadline. Draws are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM Eastern Time.
Review the draw results: After each draw, our Mega Millions results page shows the 5 winning main numbers plus the Mega Ball. Cross-check each number on your ticket carefully from left to right.
Claim prizes promptly: Prizes under $600 can be collected at any lottery retailer. Higher-value prizes typically require a visit to your state lottery headquarters. The claim window varies by state, so act quickly to avoid missing the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

The jackpot odds stand at 1 in 302,575,350 — one of the longest in the world. However, the overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are about 1 in 24, meaning smaller wins happen regularly across the country in every draw.

Mega Millions has 9 prize tiers. They range from $2 for matching only the Mega Ball, all the way up to the multi-million dollar jackpot for matching all 5 numbers plus the Mega Ball. You do not need to match numbers in any particular order.

Draws take place twice a week — every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM Eastern Time. The draw is conducted in Atlanta, Georgia, under strict security and oversight. Sales typically close 15 to 45 minutes before draw time depending on your state.

The Megaplier is an optional add-on that costs $1 extra and multiplies your non-jackpot prizes. A 3x Megaplier would turn a $10,000 win into $30,000. Statistically, it adds value if you frequently win secondary prizes. For casual players, it is a personal preference.

The record Mega Millions jackpot was $1.602 billion, awarded in August 2023 to a ticket sold in Florida. It remains one of the most significant lottery prizes in history. Before that, a $1.537 billion jackpot was won by a single ticket in South Carolina in 2018.

Yes — there is no upper cap on the Mega Millions jackpot. Each time the jackpot is not won, it rolls over and grows based on ticket sales. Extended rollover streaks have pushed prizes well past the $1 billion mark on multiple occasions.

Yes. In the United States, lottery winnings are treated as ordinary income for federal tax purposes, meaning 37% federal tax applies to large prizes. State tax varies — some states have no lottery tax, others charge up to 10%. Winners are advised to consult a tax professional before claiming.

Mega Millions

How to Play Mega Millions

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot?

How many prize tiers does Mega Millions have?

When are Mega Millions draws held?

What is the Megaplier and should I use it?

What is the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever paid out?

Can the jackpot continue to grow indefinitely?

Are Mega Millions prizes subject to taxes?