Updated: May 2026 · Data source: NY Open Data (500 most recent draws)
Most players buy a Mega Millions ticket thinking only about the jackpot. But there are 9 different ways to win in every single drawing.
The Complete Mega Millions Prize Chart
Since April 2025, Mega Millions draws 5 white balls from 1–70 and 1 Mega Ball from 1–24, and every $5 ticket includes a built-in multiplier (2x–10x) on non-jackpot prizes. You win a prize by matching some combination of those numbers on your ticket.
| Numbers Matched | Prize tier | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 white + Mega Ball | Jackpot | 1 in 290,472,336 |
| 5 white (no MB) | Fixed second-tier prize | Roughly 1 in 12.6 million |
| 4 white + Mega Ball | Mid-tier prize, boosted by the built-in multiplier | Under 1 million |
| 4 white (no MB) | Smaller fixed prize | Tens of thousands |
| 3 white + Mega Ball | Smaller fixed prize | Several thousand |
| 3 white (no MB) / 2 white + Mega Ball | Entry-level prizes, $10–$50 minimum under the new matrix | Hundreds to low thousands |
| 1 white + Mega Ball | Entry-level prize | Under 100 |
| Mega Ball only | Entry-level prize | 1 in 23 |
Exact non-jackpot dollar amounts vary because every ticket includes a built-in multiplier drawn separately — check megamillions.com for the current official prize chart before you play.
How It Works
Mega Millions draws 5 white balls from 1–70 plus 1 Mega Ball from 1–24. Draws every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM ET.
The bottom prize tiers involve matching the Mega Ball. With 24 possible numbers, the odds of matching the Mega Ball alone (and no white balls) are about 1 in 23.
The Mega Ball Alone Still Wins a Prize
Matching the Mega Ball alone, with odds around 1 in 23, is the most common way to see any return. Because the Mega Ball is drawn from a separate pool of 1–24, it has no relationship to the main numbers, and each drawing is independent of past results. See the Mega Millions frequency guide for more.
The Second Prize Tier
Match all 5 white balls and miss the Mega Ball and you win a large fixed second-tier prize — odds of roughly 1 in 12.6 million, meaningfully better than the jackpot. Check megamillions.com for the current advertised amount, since it can change with the game matrix.
Many players focus so hard on the jackpot they forget there's a life-changing prize one ball away.
The Built-In Multiplier
Since April 2025, every Mega Millions ticket automatically includes a multiplier (2x–10x, randomly drawn) that applies to non-jackpot prizes — there is no separate add-on to purchase, and it's built into the $5 ticket price.
Mega Millions vs Powerball Prize Structure
| Mega Millions | Powerball | |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 290,472,336 | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| Ticket price | $5 (multiplier included) | $2 (Power Play optional, +$1) |
| Multiplier max | 10x (built in) | 10x (Power Play, optional) |
| Draw days | Tue, Fri | Mon, Wed, Sat |
The two games have similar jackpot odds. See the full Powerball vs Mega Millions comparison.
For entertainment purposes only. No system guarantees a lottery win. Must be 18+. Gamble responsibly.