The US Mega Millions jackpot odds are 1 in 290,472,336 for a single line, and the overall odds of winning any prize are about 1 in 23.1. There are 9 prize tiers in total. The full table below lists every combination, its odds and its prize — with the odds computed directly from the official 5 from 1-70 + 1 Mega Ball from 1-24 matrix and cross-checked against the operator's published figures.
Prize tiers & odds
| Match | Odds | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + Mega Ball | 1 in 290,472,336 | Jackpot (pari-mutuel) |
| 5 | 1 in 12,629,232 | $1,000,000 |
| 4 + Mega Ball | 1 in 893,761 | $10,000 |
| 4 | 1 in 38,859 | $500 |
| 3 + Mega Ball | 1 in 13,965 | $200 |
| 3 | 1 in 607.2 | $10 |
| 2 + Mega Ball | 1 in 665.0 | base prize × multiplier |
| 1 + Mega Ball | 1 in 85.8 | base prize × multiplier |
| Mega Ball only | 1 in 35.2 | $5 (×2-10 built in) |
US Mega Millions odds at a glance
US Mega Millions is drawn from a matrix of 5 from 1-70 + 1 Mega Ball from 1-24, with draws on Tuesday & Friday. To win the jackpot you must match every number, and the odds of doing so are 1 in 290,472,336 for a single line.
Those odds are fixed by the size of the number field — no strategy, system or "hot number" changes them. What you can understand is where the realistic (much smaller) wins sit, which is what the full prize table below shows. The overall chance of winning any prize on a line is roughly 1 in 23.1.
Full US Mega Millions prize tier table
The table above lists every way to win, the odds of each, and what it pays. Since 8 April 2025 every Mega Millions ticket costs US$5 and includes a random 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x multiplier on all non-jackpot prizes. The base amounts are shown above; with the 10x multiplier the Match-5 prize reaches $10,000,000 and the Mega-Ball-only prize reaches $50. Base amounts for the two lowest match tiers are not separately published by the operator, so they are marked as base × multiplier. The jackpot is pari-mutuel (annuity or cash option).
How US Mega Millions prizes are actually paid
The US Mega Millions jackpot is advertised as the annuity value — the total paid out over 30 annual instalments. Almost all winners instead take the cash option, a single lump sum that is considerably smaller than the headline figure. On top of that, US federal tax is withheld (24% for US residents, 30% for most non-residents), and some states withhold state tax too. So the amount that reaches your bank is well below the number on the billboard — a point worth keeping in perspective.
Are the odds worth it?
Put plainly: the jackpot odds here (1 in 290,472,336) are long by any measure, and no amount of number-picking shortens them. A ticket is best treated as a small, fixed-cost bit of entertainment on a very large prize, not as any kind of plan.
If you want to compare these odds against the other major games side by side — by jackpot odds, ticket cost and jackpot ceiling — see our lottery odds compared guide. And if you do play, do it within a budget you can comfortably afford to lose.
Compare every major game side by side in Lottery odds compared, read the how-to-play guide, or check the latest results.
Frequently asked questions
What are the odds of winning the US Mega Millions jackpot?
1 in 290,472,336 for a single line — you must match 5 + 1 Mega Ball. These odds are fixed by the number field and cannot be improved by any strategy.
What are the odds of winning any US Mega Millions prize?
About 1 in 23.1 per line, across 9 prize tiers. Most of those wins are small, lower-tier prizes — see the full table above.
How many prize tiers does US Mega Millions have?
9. They range from the jackpot down to the smallest tier (Mega Ball only), each with its own odds and prize, listed in the table above.
Can you improve your US Mega Millions odds?
Not the odds per line — they are set by the matrix. Buying more lines increases your overall chance proportionally but also your spend, and never makes a win likely. Treat it as entertainment within a budget.
Sources & further reading
Legal, tax and game figures on this page are drawn from the official operators and government/tax authorities below. Rules change — always confirm the current position with the operator or a qualified adviser before you play or claim.
Play US Mega Millions online
Buy an official ticket online through a licensed operator — same numbers, same draw, same odds as a local ticket-holder.
Play US Mega Millions online