How to Play Mega Millions
Everything a new player needs to know about Mega Millions: how the numbers work, what a ticket costs, when drawings happen, and what your odds really are.
How to Play Mega Millions in 5 Simple Steps
Choose 5 main numbers
Pick 5 different numbers from 1 to 70, or ask for a "Quick Pick" / "Easy Pick" to have them chosen at random.
Choose your Mega Ball
Pick one more number from 1 to 25 for your Mega Ball — this is drawn from a separate pool of balls.
Consider the Megaplier
For an extra cost, add the Megaplier option, which can multiply the value of non-jackpot prizes on your ticket.
Pay and keep your ticket
A standard play costs $2. Keep your physical or digital ticket safe — you'll need it to claim any prize.
Check the results
Drawings happen every Tuesday and Friday at approximately 11:00 PM ET. Compare your numbers on our results page or your state lottery's official site.
Game Rules & Format
- Number pool: 5 main numbers are drawn from a pool of 1–70, without replacement.
- Mega Ball: One additional number is drawn from a separate pool of 1–25, and can repeat one of your main numbers since it comes from its own set of balls.
- Draw schedule: Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at approximately 11:00 PM ET.
- Ticket cost: $2 per line, plus an optional Megaplier add-on in most participating states.
- Where it's played: Tickets are sold through state lotteries participating in Mega Millions in participating U.S. states, D.C., and U.S. territories where the game is offered.
- Age requirement: You must be 18 or older to play in most states — some states set the minimum age at 19 or 21. Check your state lottery for the exact requirement.
Prize Tiers
Mega Millions pays multiple prize tiers based on how many numbers you match, from the jackpot (all 5 main numbers plus the Mega Ball) down to a small fixed prize for matching just the Mega Ball alone. Non-jackpot prizes are typically fixed dollar amounts, and can be multiplied by the Megaplier if you added that option.
| Match | Prize Type |
|---|---|
| All 5 + Mega Ball | Jackpot (grows until won) |
| All 5, no Mega Ball | Second-tier fixed prize |
| Fewer matches + Mega Ball | Smaller fixed prizes |
| Mega Ball only | Smallest fixed prize (ticket cost, roughly) |
Exact dollar amounts for each tier are set by the game rules and published on www.megamillions.com.
What Are the Real Odds?
The odds of matching all numbers for the Mega Millions jackpot are about 1 in 302,575,350 on a single ticket. The overall odds of winning any prize (including the smallest fixed tier) are roughly 1 in 24. These odds are fixed by the game's math and are the same for every player, every ticket, every time.
No strategy, prediction, or number pattern can shorten these odds. The only things a player can control are how much they spend and how a potential prize might be shared with other winners — see our predictions page for a look at recent number frequency, purely for entertainment.
How to Play Mega Millions — FAQs
A standard Mega Millions ticket costs $2 per play. Adding the Megaplier option costs extra and can multiply non-jackpot prizes.
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at approximately 11:00 PM ET. Ticket sales typically cut off shortly before the drawing — check your state lottery for the exact cutoff time.
Some U.S. states allow online or app-based ticket purchases through official state lottery platforms. Availability depends entirely on your state's laws — check your state lottery's official website to see what is permitted where you live.
No. You generally need to be physically present in a participating state (or D.C. or U.S. Virgin Islands, depending on the game) and meet the state's minimum age requirement, which is usually 18 but can be higher in some states.