Mega Millions FAQ
Mega Millions questions answered: odds, ticket cost, cut-off times, claiming prizes, taxes, anonymity and where results come from.
How much does a Mega Millions ticket cost?
$5 per play (multiplier included). No separate add-on: since April 2025 every ticket carries a built-in multiplier (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X, randomly assigned at purchase) that is automatically applied to any non-jackpot prize.
What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot?
The jackpot odds are 1 in 290,472,336 per play (5 numbers from 1–70 plus a Mega Ball from 1–24). The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 23.
When are Mega Millions drawings held?
Drawings are held Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM ET. Ticket sales cut off shortly before the drawing — typically one to two hours, varying by state.
How many numbers do I need to win a prize in Mega Millions?
Any of nine combinations wins: matching just the Mega Ball wins the minimum prize, and prizes increase up to the jackpot for matching all five numbers plus the Mega Ball. See our ways-to-win chart for every tier.
What does the Mega Millions jackpot start at?
After a jackpot is won, the advertised jackpot resets to $50 million and grows with ticket sales until someone wins again.
Should I take the annuity or the cash option?
The advertised jackpot is an annuity of 30 graduated payments over 29 years; the cash option — roughly 40–55% of the annuity depending on interest rates — is a single lump sum. Nearly all winners take the cash. Both are taxable; consult a financial adviser before claiming a large prize.
How long do I have to claim a Mega Millions prize?
Claim periods are set by each state and range from 90 days to one year from the draw date. Check the claim deadline printed on your ticket or your state lottery's website.
Can I stay anonymous if I win Mega Millions?
It depends on the state where you bought the ticket — some states allow anonymous claims, others require public disclosure, and in several you can claim through a trust or LLC. See our state guides for the rules where you play.
Do lottery statistics improve my odds of winning Mega Millions?
No. Every combination has identical odds in every drawing — hot/cold statistics describe the past and cannot predict the future. We publish them for interest, with that disclaimer, in our statistics section.
Where does Lottery Atlas get its Mega Millions results?
Results are fetched from a commercial lottery data feed within minutes of each official drawing and reconciled against the official Mega Millions results at megamillions.com within 24 hours. Always verify with the official lottery before acting on a result.