How to Play Mega Millions
Learning how to play Mega Millions takes just a few minutes with this helpful instructional guide. To play, you need to pick five main numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball from a separate range of 1 to 24. When you purchase a ticket you will receive a multiplier (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X) - this will determine how much your prize will be boosted by. Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday night, with the numbers selected at 11pm Eastern Time in Atlanta, Georgia.
It's easy to take part, and you can find out exactly what to do in the step-by-step guide below.
Choose your numbers
You have to choose six numbers in total - five main numbers between 1 and 70, plus a Mega Ball between 1 and 24. You can select the same number for the Mega Ball as one of your main numbers, as it is drawn from a separate set. It's up to you whether you choose your own numbers or opt for a Quick Pick/Easy Pick.
Choose how many drawings to play
You can take advantage of the Advance Play option to enter your Mega Millions numbers into multiple consecutive drawings. Select how many drawings from the options available in your state.
Your prizes are multiplied!
Every Mega Millions player receives a random multiplier when purchasing a ticket. Any non-jackpot prizes you win will be multiplied by the printed number - 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X! Check out our Odds and Prizes page to see how much your winnings could grow!
Purchase your ticket
You'll need to buy your entries before sales close to be eligible for the next drawing. The cut-off time varies by state but is usually an hour before the draw. The cost per play is $5.
While the main rules for how to play Mega Millions are the same everywhere, there are some differences between each state. These include how many consecutive drawings you can enter, the exact cut-off time, and the minimum age to play.
Head over to the Participating States page for more information about how it works where you live, including whether you have the right to stay anonymous if you win and how long you have to claim.
How to Win Mega Millions
There are nine different ways to win Mega Millions prizes, based on the numbers you have selected matching up with the winning numbers drawn. As long as you get the same Mega Ball, you are guaranteed a prize. Match at least three main numbers and you'll also win. You need to match all six winning numbers to pocket a share of the jackpot.
Remember that any prizes won will be boosted by a random multiplier amount attached to each player's ticket!
There's more about the multiplier, plus all the prizes on offer, on the Mega Millions Odds page. The overall chances of winning a prize are 1 in 23.07, while the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336.
How to Claim Prizes
You can use the Mega Millions Checker to find out if you have won a prize in any drawing you have entered. If you have been lucky, the next step is to get your hands on your money. The majority of prizes, up to the value of $599, can be claimed from lottery retailers. However, if you win a larger sum, you will need to claim it by mail or go to a prize center.
Each state has its own guidelines for claiming prizes. Remember that you need to claim any prizes you win from the state lottery where you purchased your ticket, within the claim period they have set out. Visit the How to Claim page for more details.