Mega Millions: Official Guide, Rules, Odds & How to Play

Winning Selections	Odds	Prize
Match 5 numbers + Mega Ball	1 in 290,472,336	Jackpot!
Match 5 main numbers	1 in 12,629,232	$2,000,000*
Match 4 numbers + Mega Ball	1 in 893,760	$20,000*
Match 4 main numbers	1 in 38,859	$1,000*
Match 3 numbers + Mega Ball	1 in 13,965	$400*
Match 3 main numbers	1 in 607	$20*
Match 2 numbers + Mega Ball	1 in 698	$20*
Match 1 number + Mega Ball	1 in 86	$8*
Match the Mega Ball	1 in 35	$4*

*Non-jackpot prizes include a random multiplier (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X), increasing prizes up to $20,000,000 for Match 5, $200,000 for Match 4 + Mega Ball, $10,000 for Match 4, $4,000 for Match 3 + Mega Ball, $200 for Match 3, $200 for Match 2 + Mega Ball, $80 for Match 1 + Mega Ball, or $40 for Match Mega Ball.

As you can see, the odds of winning Mega Millions jackpot are not great! You are more likely to be struck by lightning than to win Mega Millions lottery!

Mega Millions Odds Calculations

If you ever wondered, why are the odds so sky-high, let's have a look at how exactly are they being calculated.

In every Mega Millions drawing, 5 white balls are drawn together with a single yellow ball, making it a total of 6 balls.

So there you go! If you wanted to purchase every possible combination to guarantee you winning the jackpot, you would need to purchase over 290 million tickets!

But the good news is, there are better ways to improve your odds of winning Mega Millions without spending so much money.

Notable changes

April 2025 Format Change

Starting April 8, 2025, Mega Millions introduced exciting updates to enhance your playing experience:

• Ticket Price Increase: Each play now costs $5, up from $2, reflecting bigger prizes.
• Starting Jackpot Raised: Jackpots begin at $50 million (previously $20 million) and grow faster.
• Built-In Multiplier: Every ticket includes a random 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X multiplier at no extra cost, boosting non-jackpot prizes (replaces the $1 Megaplier).
• Improved Odds: Jackpot odds improved to ~1 in 290.5 million (from ~1 in 302.6 million) due to the Mega Ball pool shrinking from 25 to 24. Overall odds of winning any prize are now ~1 in 23 (from ~1 in 24).
• Larger Non-Jackpot Prizes: Secondary prizes are bigger, with Match 5 prizes up to $20 million with the multiplier (previously up to $5 million).
• Number Selection Adjusted: Mega Ball pool reduced to 1-24 from 1-25, while still picking 5 numbers from 1-70.

These changes aim to deliver larger, more frequent jackpots, averaging around $800 million!

October 2017 Format/Price Point Change

On October 28, 2017, Mega Millions doubled the ticket price to $2, with the first drawing under the new price on October 31, 2017. The matrix changed from 5/75 + 1/15 to 5/70 + 1/25, adjusting odds and prizes:

• Jackpot Odds: Worsened from ~1 in 258.9 million to ~1 in 302.6 million, enabling larger jackpots.
• Overall Odds: Improved slightly to ~1 in 24 (from ~1 in 14.7).
• Starting Jackpot: Increased to $20 million (from $15 million), with minimum rollovers of $5 million.
• Prize Adjustments: Second prize (5+0) stayed at $1 million (up to $5 million with Megaplier); other tiers saw changes, like 4+1 rising to $10,000.
• Megaplier: Remained optional for $1, with 2X, 3X, 4X, or 5X multipliers.

These updates aimed to boost jackpot sizes and enhance prize potential for players.

October 2013 Format Change

The final 5/56 + 1/46 drawing was October 18, 2013, with the new 5/75 + 1/15 format starting October 22, 2013, bringing significant updates:

• Matrix Change: Players now pick 5 numbers from 1 to 75 and 1 Mega Ball from 1 to 15.
• Odds: Jackpot odds changed to ~1 in 258.9 million (from ~1 in 175.7 million); overall odds became ~1 in 14.7.
• Prizes: Second prize (5+0) increased to $1 million (from $250,000), up to $5 million with Megaplier. Other tiers adjusted, e.g., 4+1 became $5,000.
• Jackpot: Minimum jackpot set at $15 million, with rollovers of at least $5 million.
• Annuity: Shifted to 30 graduated payments (increasing 5% yearly) from 26 equal payments.

This overhaul aimed to offer bigger jackpots and more attractive secondary prizes.

January 2010 Cross-Sell Expansion

On January 31, 2010, Mega Millions and Powerball began a cross-sell agreement, allowing most states to sell both games:

• Expanded Reach: New states joined, increasing player participation and jackpot growth.
• Megaplier Standard: All 23 lotteries joining on or after this date offered the Megaplier (2X, 3X, 4X) for an extra $1, except California.
• No Format Change: The 5/56 + 1/46 matrix remained unchanged.

This expansion boosted the game’s popularity and prize potential.

June 2005 Format Change

On June 24, 2005, Mega Millions updated its format to adjust odds and prizes:

• Matrix Change: Shifted from 5/52 + 1/52 to 5/56 + 1/46.
• Odds: Jackpot odds became ~1 in 175.7 million (from ~1 in 135 million); overall odds ~1 in 40.
• Prizes: Second prize (5+0) was $250,000, with Megaplier offering up to $1 million in some states.

The update aimed to balance larger jackpots with achievable prize odds.

May 2002 Format Change and Rebranding

On May 17, 2002, The Big Game became Mega Millions, introducing a new format:

• Rebranding: Renamed to Mega Millions, reflecting its growing popularity.
• Matrix Change: Changed from 5/50 + 1/36 to 5/52 + 1/52.
• Odds: Jackpot odds worsened to ~1 in 135 million (from ~1 in 76 million).
• Megaplier Introduced: Some states offered a 2X, 3X, or 4X multiplier for non-jackpot prizes for an extra $1.

This marked a new era for the game with bigger jackpots and enhanced features.

1999 Format and Prize Option Change

In 1999, Mega Millions (then The Big Game) made key updates:

• Matrix Change: Mega Ball pool increased from 1/25 to 1/36.
• Odds: Jackpot odds changed to ~1 in 76 million (from ~1 in 52.9 million).
• Cash Option: Jackpot winners could choose a one-time cash payment instead of an annuity.
• New State: New Jersey joined the game.

These changes offered players more flexibility and adjusted prize odds.

(Source: Mega Millions Official Site)