How to Play Mega Millions

Pick 5 numbers from 1–70 and 1 Mega Ball number from 1–24 (note the updated Mega Ball range!). You can go with a Quick Pick or handpick your own lucky numbers.

To win the jackpot, you’ll need to match all five numbers plus the Mega Ball—in any order.

Once your ticket’s in hand, sit back and wait for the drawing—Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM ET.

Can you play Mega Millions online?

Yep! If you’re in one of the 17 (and counting!) states where it’s available, you can order Mega Millions tickets online using Jackpocket, the official app for lottery lovers.

What's the Mega Ball?

The Mega Ball is the 6th ball drawn in the Mega Millions lottery—it’s the golden one that can boost your winnings big time. Match the five white balls and the Mega Ball? That’s your jackpot ticket. Even if you don’t hit the jackpot, matching the Mega Ball alone (or in combo) can still score you a prize.

Mega Millions Prizes

How many ways can you win Mega Millions? Nine different ways, to be exact. Prizes now range from $10 all the way up to the jackpot—and every ticket includes a random multiplier (2X–10X) that boosts all non-jackpot prizes.

Here’s how it breaks down:

A breakdown of prizes and odds for Mega Millions
Match	Win	Odds
5 numbers + Mega Ball	Jackpot	1 in 290,472,336
5 numbers	$2,000,000 – $10,000,000 (with multiplier)	1 in 12,607,306
4 numbers + Mega Ball	$20,000 – $200,000 (with multiplier)	1 in 931,001
4 numbers	$500 – $5,000 (with multiplier)	1 in 38,792
3 numbers + Mega Ball	$200 – $2,000 (with multiplier)	1 in 14,547
3 numbers	$10 – $100 (with multiplier)	1 in 606
2 numbers + Mega Ball	$10 – $100 (with multiplier)	1 in 693
1 number + Mega Ball	$10 – $100 (with multiplier)	1 in 89

What happens if you match the Mega Ball only?

Good news—matching only the Mega Ball still gets you a prize. You’ll win at least $10, thanks to the new base prize and built-in multiplier. But if you match just one white ball without the Mega Ball, no prize there.

Are two numbers worth anything in Mega Millions?

It depends on the combo:

One white ball + Mega Ball = $10 or more
Two white balls only = no prize

What happened to the Megaplier?

Once upon a time, you could pay an extra $1 to add the Megaplier, which boosted non-jackpot prizes by up to 5X.

But now? It’s built in. 🎉

Every Mega Millions ticket—no extra cost—automatically comes with a random multiplier (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or even 10X!) applied to all non-jackpot prizes. That’s right: no add-ons needed, just bigger potential payouts right out of the gate.

RIP Megaplier, but hello to more multipliers. 🙌

Learn more: 5 times adding the $1 multiplier to a lottery ticket paid off

How do you claim a Mega Millions prize?

Bought your ticket at a store?
Head to your state lottery’s website for claim instructions. Rules vary by state.

Ordered your ticket with Jackpocket?

We’ve got you. If you win:

Smaller prizes(under $600, varies by state) — We’ll credit your Jackpocket account.
Bigger wins — We securely deliver your winning ticket to you so you can claim directly with the state lottery.

And yes—we’ll automatically alert you when you win. No need to squint at numbers.

Learn more: What happens if I win on Jackpocket?

Mega Millions payout: Cash vs annuity

Hit the jackpot? First of all—congrats, legend.

Now, you choose how to get paid:

Cash Option – A one-time lump sum, equal to the current cash value of the prize pool.
Annuity Option – Paid over 30 years: one payment now, then 29 annual payments that grow over time.

The advertised jackpot amount? That’s based on the annuity. But you’ll see both options when it's time to decide

Learn more: Choosing lottery lump sum vs annuity

Mega Millions States

Ready to play but curious if the Mega Millions lottery is available in your state? Check out the full list states that offer the game:

Arizona*
Arkansas*
California
Connecticut
Colorado*
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
U.S. Virgin Islands
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia*
Wisconsin
Wyoming

*Jackpocket state!

Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery game that’s available in 45 states, Washington D.C. and the Virgin Islands.

Which state has the most Mega Millions winners?

Out of the 45 states that offer Mega Millions, 28 have scored at least one jackpot win. But sitting pretty at the top? New York, with 43 Mega Millions jackpot winners and counting.

Curious how your state stacks up? Here's a breakdown of Mega Millions jackpot winners by state.

Is Mega Millions better than Powerball?

We won’t pick favorites—but we did compare the two side by side. From jackpot sizes to odds to prize tiers, here’s what sets them apart (and what makes them equally fun to play): Powerball vs Mega Millions.

Get Your Mega Millions Ticket

Now that you know how to play Mega Millions, you’re ready to grab your ticket for the next drawing. Order your ticket now via the Jackpocket app for iOS or Android or visit play.jackpocket.com to order your ticket online. Good luck!

How to Play Mega Millions

9 ways to win Mega Millions 🏅

Mega Millions Overview