Question 1

What changed in Mega Millions in 2025?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions changed significantly with the April 8, 2025 drawing. The ticket price became $5, each play now includes a built-in multiplier, the Mega Ball range changed from 1-25 to 1-24, jackpot odds changed to 1 in 290,472,336, and the starting jackpot became $50 million. Megaplier and Just the Jackpot were retired with the old format.

Question 2

How does the Mega Millions multiplier work in 2025?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions now includes a multiplier with every $5 play. The multiplier is randomly assigned at purchase, shown on the ticket, and can be 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X. It applies only to non-jackpot prizes; the jackpot itself is not multiplied. The official Mega Millions prize chart lists each prize tier by multiplier.

Question 3

What happened to Megaplier?

Accepted Answer

Megaplier was the old optional $1 add-on that multiplied eligible non-jackpot prizes under the pre-2025 Mega Millions format. It was retired when the current game launched in April 2025 and was replaced by the built-in 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X multiplier assigned to each play at purchase. Older Mega Millions data may still refer to Megaplier because those drawings followed the previous rules.

Question 4

What was Just the Jackpot?

Accepted Answer

Just the Jackpot was an old Mega Millions option that offered jackpot-only plays under the previous game format. It was retired with the April 2025 game change. Current Mega Millions plays are $5 each and include a built-in multiplier for non-jackpot prizes.

Question 5

How does Mega Millions work?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions is a multi-state U.S. jackpot lottery game where each $5 play uses five white balls from 1 through 70 and one gold Mega Ball from 1 through 24. A jackpot-winning ticket must match all five white balls, in any order, plus the Mega Ball. LottoXray organizes historical draw data, odds references, frequency data, and combination math only; it does not sell tickets or change lottery probabilities.

Question 6

How much does a Mega Millions ticket cost?

Accepted Answer

A Mega Millions ticket costs $5 per play under the current rules. The built-in multiplier is included in that $5 price, so it is not a separate add-on like Megaplier was before April 2025. Purchase rules, age requirements, and sales cut-off times are controlled by the selling lottery.

Question 7

When are Mega Millions drawings held?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM ET. Sales cut-off times are set by the selling lottery and can happen before the drawing. LottoXray displays historical drawing data for analysis, while official schedules and ticket rules are controlled by Mega Millions and the participating lotteries.

Question 8

What jurisdictions participate in Mega Millions?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions is sold in 45 states, Washington DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico is not listed as a Mega Millions jurisdiction, even though Puerto Rico participates in Powerball. Availability and ticket rules are controlled by the selling lottery where the ticket is purchased.

Question 9

Can you buy Mega Millions tickets online?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions online purchase is handled by individual participating lotteries, not by one national Mega Millions checkout. Some jurisdictions allow online or app-based purchases for eligible players inside that jurisdiction, while others require purchases through licensed retailers. LottoXray provides historical data and analysis tools only; it does not sell or broker Mega Millions tickets.

Question 10

How are Mega Millions numbers drawn?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions winning numbers come from an official drawing using separate pools for the five white balls and the gold Mega Ball. LottoXray uses published draw results for statistical organization and historical review. Official Mega Millions records and the selling lottery remain the final source for winning numbers, prize claims, and ticket validation.

Question 11

What are all the Mega Millions prize tiers?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions has nine prize tiers. The jackpot is won by matching all five white balls plus the Mega Ball. Non-jackpot prize ranges by multiplier are: Match 5, $2 million-$10 million; 4+Mega Ball, $20,000-$100,000; Match 4, $1,000-$5,000; 3+Mega Ball, $400-$2,000; Match 3, $20-$100; 2+Mega Ball, $20-$100; 1+Mega Ball, $14-$70; Mega Ball only, $10-$50. California prize amounts are pari-mutuel and can differ.

Question 12

What is the Mega Millions Match 5 prize?

Accepted Answer

The Mega Millions Match 5 prize is the second prize tier for matching all five white balls without the Mega Ball. Under the current multiplier system, the Match 5 prize ranges from $2 million with a 2X multiplier to $10 million with a 10X multiplier. In California, prize amounts are paid on a pari-mutuel basis and can differ from the fixed prize chart.

Question 13

Does the Mega Millions multiplier apply to the jackpot?

Accepted Answer

No. The Mega Millions multiplier applies only to non-jackpot prizes. A jackpot-winning play receives the jackpot prize according to the official jackpot rules, not a multiplied jackpot. This means the multiplier can affect lower prize tiers, including Match 5, but not the advertised jackpot.

Question 14

Does California pay fixed Mega Millions prizes?

Accepted Answer

California Mega Millions prize amounts are paid on a pari-mutuel basis and can differ from the fixed prize amounts shown in the national Mega Millions prize chart. The official Mega Millions prize chart specifically directs California players to the California Lottery Mega Millions page for California prize amounts.

Question 15

What are the odds of winning any Mega Millions prize?

Accepted Answer

The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are about 1 in 23. Overall odds include every prize tier, from matching only the Mega Ball through the jackpot. They should not be confused with the jackpot odds of 1 in 290,472,336.

Question 16

What happens if nobody wins Mega Millions?

Accepted Answer

If nobody wins the Mega Millions jackpot, the jackpot rolls into the next drawing and the advertised jackpot usually increases. Rollovers can continue until at least one ticket matches all five white balls plus the Mega Ball. A larger jackpot can attract more sales, but the jackpot odds for one valid play remain 1 in 290,472,336.

Question 17

What is the Mega Millions starting jackpot?

Accepted Answer

The current Mega Millions starting jackpot is $50 million after a jackpot is won. That starting amount was part of the April 2025 game change. Future advertised jackpot estimates can change with ticket sales, interest rates, and official prize-pool calculations.

Question 18

What is the Mega Millions cash option?

Accepted Answer

The Mega Millions cash option is a one-time lump-sum payment equal to the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool. It is separate from the advertised annuity jackpot and is usually lower than the headline jackpot value. LottoXray can model cash-option tax scenarios in the Mega Millions jackpot tax calculator, but it does not provide tax or financial advice.

Question 19

How many payments are in the Mega Millions annuity?

Accepted Answer

The Mega Millions annuity is paid as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments. Each annual payment is 5% larger than the previous one. Winners should review the official annuity and cash option rules with qualified tax, legal, and financial professionals before claiming a major prize.

Question 20

What is the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won?

Accepted Answer

The largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won was $1.602 billion for the August 8, 2023 drawing, with the winning ticket sold in Florida. Historical jackpot records are background context, but jackpot history does not affect future drawing odds or make any combination more likely.

Question 21

What are the Mega Millions jackpot odds?

Accepted Answer

The Mega Millions jackpot odds are 1 in 290,472,336 for one valid play. Those odds come from choosing 5 white balls from 70 and 1 Mega Ball from 24. The odds are the same for each valid combination before a drawing and do not change because of past results, jackpot size, frequency counts, or the way a ticket was selected.

Question 22

Why did Mega Millions jackpot odds change in 2025?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions jackpot odds changed in 2025 because the Mega Ball pool changed from 25 numbers to 24 numbers while the white-ball pool stayed at 70 numbers. The old 5/70 + 1/25 format had jackpot odds of 1 in 302,575,350. The current 5/70 + 1/24 format has jackpot odds of 1 in 290,472,336.

Question 23

What are the most common Mega Millions numbers?

Accepted Answer

The most common Mega Millions numbers are the numbers that appeared most often in the historical drawing range being reviewed. LottoXray can display frequency data for white balls and the Mega Ball, but those counts are descriptive only. A number appearing often in past drawings does not make it more likely to appear in the next drawing.

Question 24

How can I check Mega Millions draw history?

Accepted Answer

You can review Mega Millions draw history by checking past winning numbers, dates, jackpots, Mega Ball values, and multipliers. LottoXray organizes current-format results on the Mega Millions draws page for statistical review and comparison. Official results and prize validation should still be checked on the official Mega Millions results page or with the lottery where the ticket was purchased.

Question 25

What is a Mega Millions combination index?

Accepted Answer

A Mega Millions combination index is a mathematical position assigned to a specific number combination inside an ordered universe of possible combinations. LottoXray uses combination indexes to organize white-ball sets and full-ticket combinations consistently. Indexing is a math reference tool; it does not make a combination stronger, more likely, or recommended for play.

Question 26

Is Mega Millions or Powerball easier to win?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions currently has slightly shorter jackpot odds than Powerball: 1 in 290,472,336 versus Powerball at 1 in 292,201,338. The difference is small, and both jackpots remain extremely difficult to win. LottoXray compares both games in the Powerball vs Mega Millions guide by published rules and mathematical structure, not by predicting outcomes.

Question 27

Where should I verify official results?

Accepted Answer

Official Mega Millions results, prizes, rules, and ticket information should be verified at MegaMillions.com or with the lottery provider where the ticket was purchased. LottoXray organizes historical draw data for research, but official lottery records control winning numbers, prize claims, and ticket validation.

Question 28

How long do you have to claim a Mega Millions prize?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions claim deadlines are set by the lottery that sold the ticket, not by MegaMillions.com. Deadlines commonly range from 90 days to one year and can differ by prize type, so the original ticket and the selling lottery's claim page control the exact process. For a major prize, preserving the ticket and contacting the selling lottery are practical first steps.

Question 29

Can Mega Millions jackpot claimants remain anonymous?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions anonymity rules follow the jurisdiction where the ticket was purchased. Because Mega Millions is sold by separate state and territorial lotteries, some selling lotteries require public disclosure while others may allow anonymity or entity claims. Major-prize winners often consult legal and financial advisors before claiming because identity, taxes, estate planning, and public records can all be involved.

Question 30

Are Mega Millions prizes taxable?

Accepted Answer

Mega Millions prizes are generally taxable income. Federal withholding can apply to large prizes, and IRS Form W-2G instructions generally use a 24% withholding rate for lottery winnings when winnings minus the wager exceed $5,000. Final tax owed can be higher or lower depending on total income, filing status, payment option, and state or local rules. This is educational information, not tax advice.

Question 31

Does LottoXray sell or validate Mega Millions tickets?

Accepted Answer

No. LottoXray provides Mega Millions draw history, statistical references, and analysis tools only. It does not sell tickets, accept wagers, process entries, validate winning tickets, or guarantee prizes.

05/29/2026	19	24	47	59	65	7	X	1	1	X	1	1	1	2	O	E	O	O	O	4	1	O	-	-	-	-	-	4	5	7	[9,9]	-
05/26/2026	1	5	49	51	59	7	2	X	X	X	1	2	X	4	O	O	O	O	O	5	0	O	-	-	-	-	-	[1,1]	5	[9,9]	-	-
05/22/2026	3	22	34	54	61	8	1	X	1	1	X	1	1	2	O	E	E	E	O	2	3	E	-	-	-	-	-	1	2	3	[4,4]	-
05/19/2026	10	26	34	56	64	6	1	X	1	1	X	1	1	2	E	E	E	E	E	0	5	E	-	-	-	-	-	0	[4,4]	[6,6]	-	-
05/15/2026	17	23	25	52	61	3	X	1	2	X	X	1	1	3	O	O	O	E	O	4	1	O	-	-	-	-	-	1	2	3	5	7
05/12/2026	17	32	35	40	47	17	X	1	X	3	1	X	X	4	O	E	O	E	O	3	2	O	-	-	-	-	-	0	2	5	[7,7]	-
05/08/2026	37	47	49	51	58	16	X	X	X	1	2	2	X	4	O	O	O	O	E	4	1	E	-	-	-	-	-	1	[7,7]	8	9	-
05/05/2026	12	22	50	51	55	10	X	1	1	X	1	2	X	3	E	E	E	O	O	2	3	E	-	-	50	51	-	0	1	[2,2]	5	-
05/01/2026	16	21	27	41	61	24	X	1	2	X	1	X	1	3	E	O	O	O	O	4	1	E	-	-	-	-	-	[1,1,1]	6	7	-	-
04/28/2026	14	36	41	47	66	15	X	1	X	1	2	X	1	3	E	E	O	O	E	2	3	O	-	-	-	-	-	1	4	[6,6]	7	-
04/24/2026	7	16	32	35	40	12	1	1	X	3	X	X	X	4	O	E	E	O	E	2	3	E	-	-	-	-	-	0	2	5	6	7
04/21/2026	1	36	43	56	58	7	1	X	X	1	1	2	X	3	O	E	O	E	E	2	3	O	-	-	-	-	-	1	3	[6,6]	8	-
04/17/2026	38	43	44	49	62	8	X	X	X	1	3	X	1	4	E	O	E	O	E	2	3	E	-	43	44	-	-	2	3	4	8	9
04/14/2026	17	21	24	57	69	12	X	1	2	X	X	1	1	3	O	O	E	O	O	4	1	E	-	-	-	-	-	1	4	[7,7]	9	-
04/10/2026	3	18	36	42	49	6	1	1	X	1	2	X	X	3	O	E	E	E	O	2	3	E	-	-	-	-	-	2	3	6	8	9
04/07/2026	5	15	22	33	37	2	1	1	1	2	X	X	X	3	O	O	E	O	O	4	1	E	-	-	-	-	-	2	3	[5,5]	7	-
04/03/2026	31	45	62	63	68	15	X	X	X	1	1	X	3	4	O	O	E	O	E	3	2	O	-	-	62	63	-	1	2	3	5	8
03/31/2026	18	35	45	60	65	17	X	1	X	1	1	1	1	2	E	O	O	E	O	3	2	O	-	-	-	-	-	0	[5,5,5]	8	-	-
03/27/2026	13	27	28	41	62	16	X	1	2	X	1	X	1	3	O	O	E	O	E	3	2	E	-	27	28	-	-	1	2	3	7	8
03/24/2026	4	13	52	53	69	10	1	1	X	X	X	2	1	3	E	O	E	O	O	3	2	E	-	-	52	53	-	2	[3,3]	4	9	-
03/20/2026	11	20	51	55	63	4	X	2	X	X	X	2	1	4	O	E	O	O	O	4	1	E	-	-	-	-	-	0	[1,1]	3	5	-
03/17/2026	4	11	18	38	50	24	1	2	X	1	1	X	X	3	E	O	E	E	E	1	4	E	-	-	-	-	-	0	1	4	[8,8]	-
03/13/2026	6	19	36	40	55	9	1	1	X	2	X	1	X	3	E	O	E	E	O	2	3	O	-	-	-	-	-	0	5	[6,6]	9	-
03/10/2026	16	21	30	35	65	7	X	1	2	1	X	X	1	3	E	O	E	O	O	3	2	O	-	-	-	-	-	0	1	[5,5]	6	-
03/06/2026	8	19	26	38	42	24	1	1	1	1	1	X	X	2	E	O	E	E	E	1	4	E	-	-	-	-	-	2	6	[8,8]	9	-
03/03/2026	7	21	53	54	62	16	1	X	1	X	X	2	1	3	O	O	O	E	E	3	2	E	-	-	53	54	-	1	2	3	4	7
02/27/2026	11	18	39	43	67	23	X	2	X	1	1	X	1	3	O	E	O	O	O	4	1	O	-	-	-	-	-	1	3	7	8	9
02/24/2026	12	39	43	49	55	23	X	1	X	1	2	1	X	3	E	O	O	O	O	4	1	O	-	-	-	-	-	2	3	5	[9,9]	-
02/20/2026	15	40	48	58	63	2	X	1	X	1	1	1	1	2	O	E	E	E	O	2	3	E	-	-	-	-	-	0	3	5	[8,8]	-
02/17/2026	3	37	44	52	63	14	1	X	X	1	1	1	1	2	O	O	E	E	O	3	2	E	-	-	-	-	-	2	[3,3]	4	7	-
02/13/2026	34	40	49	59	68	1	X	X	X	2	1	1	1	3	E	E	O	O	E	2	3	O	-	-	-	-	-	0	4	8	[9,9]	-
02/10/2026	5	25	30	36	68	6	1	X	2	1	X	X	1	3	O	O	E	E	E	2	3	E	-	-	-	-	-	0	[5,5]	6	8	-
02/06/2026	13	21	25	52	62	19	X	1	2	X	X	1	1	3	O	O	O	E	E	3	2	O	-	-	-	-	-	1	[2,2]	3	5	-
02/03/2026	5	11	22	25	69	21	1	1	2	X	X	X	1	3	O	O	E	O	O	4	1	O	-	-	-	-	-	1	2	[5,5]	9	-
01/30/2026	11	34	36	43	63	13	X	1	X	2	1	X	1	3	O	E	E	O	O	3	2	O	-	-	-	-	-	1	[3,3]	4	6	-
01/27/2026	4	20	38	56	66	5	1	1	X	1	X	1	1	2	E	E	E	E	E	0	5	O	-	-	-	-	-	0	4	[6,6]	8	-
01/23/2026	30	42	49	53	66	4	X	X	1	X	2	1	1	3	E	E	O	O	E	2	3	E	-	-	-	-	-	0	2	3	6	9
01/20/2026	8	47	50	56	70	12	1	X	X	X	2	1	1	3	E	O	E	E	E	1	4	E	-	-	-	-	-	[0,0]	6	7	8	-
01/16/2026	2	22	33	42	67	1	1	X	1	1	1	X	1	2	E	E	O	E	O	2	3	O	-	-	-	-	-	[2,2,2]	3	7	-	-
01/13/2026	16	40	56	64	66	4	X	1	X	1	X	1	2	3	E	E	E	E	E	0	5	E	-	-	-	-	-	0	4	[6,6,6]	-	-
01/09/2026	12	30	36	42	47	16	X	1	1	1	2	X	X	3	E	E	E	E	O	1	4	E	-	-	-	-	-	0	[2,2]	6	7	-
01/06/2026	9	39	47	58	68	24	1	X	X	1	1	1	1	2	O	O	O	E	E	3	2	E	-	-	-	-	-	7	[8,8]	[9,9]	-	-
01/02/2026	6	13	34	43	52	4	1	1	X	1	1	1	X	2	E	O	E	O	E	2	3	E	-	-	-	-	-	2	[3,3]	4	6	-
12/30/2025	18	43	49	63	69	6	X	1	X	X	2	X	2	4	E	O	O	O	O	4	1	E	-	-	-	-	-	[3,3]	8	[9,9]	-	-
12/26/2025	9	19	31	63	64	7	1	1	X	1	X	X	2	3	O	O	O	O	E	4	1	O	-	-	-	63	64	1	3	4	[9,9]	-
12/23/2025	15	37	38	41	64	21	X	1	X	2	1	X	1	3	O	O	E	O	E	3	2	O	-	37	38	-	-	1	4	5	7	8
12/19/2025	1	11	27	39	59	18	1	1	1	1	X	1	X	2	O	O	O	O	O	5	0	E	-	-	-	-	-	[1,1]	7	[9,9]	-	-
12/16/2025	20	24	46	59	65	7	X	1	1	X	1	1	1	2	E	E	E	O	O	2	3	O	-	-	-	-	-	0	4	5	6	9
12/12/2025	10	50	55	58	59	5	1	X	X	X	1	3	X	4	E	E	O	E	O	2	3	O	-	-	-	58	59	[0,0]	5	8	9	-
12/09/2025	19	32	41	49	66	6	X	1	X	1	2	X	1	3	O	E	O	O	E	3	2	E	-	-	-	-	-	1	2	6	[9,9]	-

Mega Millions Draw Results and History

Mega Millions Results