🔵 Mega Millions® Guide
How to Play Mega Millions®
Everything you need to know — rules, prize tiers, odds, Megaplier, and tips for playing smarter
Draw Days
Tue · Fri
11:00 PM ET
Draw Location
Atlanta
Georgia, USA
Ticket Price
$2 per play
+$1 for Megaplier
Jackpot Odds
1 in 302M
Any prize: ~1 in 24
Min. Jackpot
$20 Million
Rolls over until won
Cash Value
~60% of annuity
Or 30 annual payments
🔵 Mega Millions vs 🔴 Powerball: Mega Millions draws only on Tuesday and Friday, so you have a full 5 draw-free days (including Thu and Sun) between MM draws. Powerball draws Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday — together you can play a lottery draw 5 days a week.
How to Play — Step by Step
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Pick your white ballsChoose 5 numbers from 1 to 70 — note that Mega Millions goes up to 70, one higher than Powerball's 69. Pick your own numbers, use Quick Pick, or use coldnumbers analyzer to review frequency trends.
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Pick your Mega BallChoose 1 gold Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. This is drawn from a separate drum. You must match this ball plus all 5 white balls to win the jackpot.
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Add Megaplier (optional)For an extra $1, the Megaplier multiplies all non-jackpot prizes by 2×, 3×, 4×, or 5×. Unlike Powerball's Power Play, there is no 10× Megaplier option. The multiplier is drawn before each game.
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Consider "Just the Jackpot"Mega Millions offers a unique Just the Jackpot option — $3 for 2 Quick Pick plays that are only eligible for the jackpot (no lower-tier prizes). Good if you only care about the big prize.
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Buy your ticketBuy at any licensed retailer, or online in participating states at megamillions.com. Ticket sales cut off approximately 1 hour before the draw.
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Watch the drawDraws happen every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM ET in Atlanta, Georgia. Results post immediately online at megamillions.com. No draws on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Prize Tiers & Odds of Winning
| Match | Prize | Odds of Winning | With Megaplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 white + Mega Ball | 🏆 JACKPOT | 1 in 302,575,350 | N/A — jackpot is fixed |
| 5 white (no Mega Ball) | $1,000,000 | 1 in 12,607,306 | $2M–$5M (always at least 2×) |
| 4 white + Mega Ball | $10,000 | 1 in 931,001 | Up to $50,000 |
| 4 white (no Mega Ball) | $500 | 1 in 38,792 | Up to $2,500 |
| 3 white + Mega Ball | $200 | 1 in 14,547 | Up to $1,000 |
| 3 white (no Mega Ball) | $10 | 1 in 606 | Up to $50 |
| 2 white + Mega Ball | $10 | 1 in 693 | Up to $50 |
| 1 white + Mega Ball | $4 | 1 in 89 | Up to $20 |
| Mega Ball only | $2 | 1 in 37 | Up to $10 |
Overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize: approximately 1 in 24
Taxes on Mega Millions Winnings
Mega Millions prizes are subject to the same federal and state taxes as Powerball:
Federal Withholding
24%
Withheld at time of payment on prizes over $5,000
Top Federal Rate
37%
Effective rate depends on total taxable income
State Taxes
0% – 10%
CA, TX, FL exempt. NY up to 10.9%.
$200M Jackpot
~$72M
Estimated cash take-home after taxes (5% state)
💡 Use the coldnumbers Calculator — model your exact after-tax amount for your state, compare cash vs. annuity, and see long-term wealth scenarios like Park & Draw vs. Live Large First. Open Calculator →
Mega Millions vs Powerball — Key Differences
| Feature | 🔵 Mega Millions | 🔴 Powerball |
|---|---|---|
| Draw Days | Tuesday · Friday | Monday · Wednesday · Saturday |
| Draw Time | 11:00 PM ET | 10:59 PM ET |
| Draw Location | Atlanta, GA | Tallahassee, FL |
| White Balls | 5 from 1–70 | 5 from 1–69 |
| Special Ball | Mega Ball: 1 from 1–25 | Powerball: 1 from 1–26 |
| Jackpot Odds | 1 in 302,575,350 | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| Multiplier | Megaplier: 2×–5× (+$1) | Power Play: 2×–10× (+$1) |
| Special Option | Just the Jackpot ($3/2 plays) | N/A |
| Second Prize | $1,000,000 (always) | $1,000,000 (2× with PP) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mega Millions harder to win than Powerball? +
Slightly — Mega Millions jackpot odds are 1 in 302.5 million vs Powerball's 1 in 292.2 million. But overall odds of winning any prize are similar (both about 1 in 24). The difference in jackpot odds is small enough not to matter practically.
What is "Just the Jackpot" and is it worth it? +
Just the Jackpot gives you 2 Quick Pick plays for $3 that are only eligible for the jackpot — no consolation prizes. It's a slightly better value per jackpot entry ($1.50 per play vs $2) but you give up all lower-tier prize eligibility. It makes sense if you truly only care about the jackpot.
Can I play Mega Millions if I live outside the US? +
Yes, you can play Mega Millions regardless of citizenship or residency, but you must purchase your ticket within a participating US state. Some lottery courier apps allow non-residents to purchase tickets legally. Non-US residents may face different tax withholding rates (30% federal for non-residents).
How does the Mega Millions Megaplier work? +
For $1 extra per play, your non-jackpot prizes are multiplied by the Megaplier number drawn before the game. The multiplier is drawn from a pool of: fifteen 2×, ten 3×, five 4×, and one 5×. The second prize ($1M) is always multiplied to at least $2M.
What happens to unclaimed Mega Millions prizes? +
Unclaimed prizes are distributed back to participating states according to each state's rules — typically going to education funds or other public benefit programs. Claim periods vary by state but are typically 90 days to 1 year from the draw date.
⚠️ Play Responsibly — Lottery tickets are a form of entertainment with negative expected returns. You must be 18+ to play lottery and 21+ for sports betting. Never spend money you can't afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call: Ohio: 1-800-589-9966 · National: 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) · NCPG: 1-800-522-4700.
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