Mega Millions is one of the most popular lottery games in the US and is available in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.. Each ticket currently costs two dollars, but is it worth the investment? How much can you really win playing Mega Millions?
Mega Millions offers nine different prizes, from $2 to the jackpot. And is it worth playing or not? That’s up to you. For now, we’re just here to give you the facts. In this blog, we have included some Mega Millions pay charts so you can see exactly how much you can win and decide for yourself.
Understanding the Mega Millions Payout Structure
When we think of Mega Millions, the jackpot is the first thing that comes to mind. And honestly, we get it – who wouldn’t dream of hitting that massive prize?
Mega Millions starts at $20 million, and it keeps growing until someone hits the jackpot. How high can it go? Well, there’s no limit! It keeps growing, usually by $10-$20 million per drawing, but that all depends on ticket sales. The more people play, the bigger the jackpot gets.
The largest Mega Millions jackpot ever was $1.6 billion, won by a single player in Florida in August 2023. And that’s not the only Mega Millions prize to top $1 billion. This lottery game is the only one that has awarded six jackpots of over $1 billion.
But it’s not all about the jackpot. Mega Millions has eight secondary prizes, ranging from smaller amounts to $1 million. That’s right – you could win $1 million by matching five numbers without even hitting the jackpot.
Check out the Mega Millions pay chart below for a complete breakdown of the prizes and your odds of winning each one.
| Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Five numbers + The Mega Ball | Jackpot | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| Five numbers | $1,000,000 | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| Four numbers + The Mega Ball | $10,000 | 1 in 931,001 |
| Four numbers | $500 | 1 in 38,792 |
| Three numbers + The Mega Ball | $200 | 1 in 14,547 |
| Three numbers | $10 | 1 in 606 |
| Two numbers + The Mega Ball | $10 | 1 in 693 |
| One number + The Mega Ball | $4 | 1 in 89 |
| The Mega Ball | $2 | 1 in 37 |
Source: Mega Millions official website
Boost Your Mega Millions Payout with Megaplier!
But Wait a minute… the Mega Millions pay chart above does not show all possible prizes! There is a way to increase your winnings. Mega Millions has an extra feature called the Megaplier, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2X, 3X, 4X, or even 5X.
For example, if you matched five numbers without the Mega Ball, you’d typically win $1 million. But if you add the Megaplier, your prize could jump to $5 million! Note that this option only applies to secondary prizes, not the jackpot.
Activating the Megaplier costs an extra $1 per ticket… for now. But heads up – big changes are coming to Mega Millions! Starting in April 2025, ticket prices will increase from $2 to $5, and Megaplier will be automatically included. That means no more paying extra for the multiplier!
A new 10x multiplier will be introduced, allowing players to win up to $10 million on a secondary Mega Millions prize. This will work similarly to Powerball’s Power Play feature.
Mega Millions officials have also announced that prizes will become even larger and the odds of winning will improve. Along with these updates, new rules and gameplay changes are coming soon.
Keep reading: The Mega Millions Price Increase: What’s Changing in 2025?
But for now, let’s focus on the current payout amounts. Next, you’ll find a Mega Millions pay chart that shows how much you can win with each Megaplier option.
| Match | Regular Prize | 2X | 3X | 4X | 5X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Numbers | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $3,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
| 4 Numbers + Mega Ball | $10,000 | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 |
| 4 Numbers | $500 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,500 |
| 3 Numbers + Mega Ball | $200 | $400 | $600 | $800 | $1,000 |
| 3 Numbers | $10 | $20 | $30 | $40 | $50 |
| 2 Numers + Mega Ball | $10 | $20 | $30 | $40 | $50 |
| 1 Number + Mega Ball | $4 | $8 | $12 | $16 | $20 |
| Mega Ball | $2 | $4 | $6 | $8 | $10 |
How to Claim Your Mega Millions Prize & Get Paid
So, do you get the full amount listed in the Mega Millions pay chart? Well..not exactly.
The amount you take home depends on several factors, and one of the biggest is how you claim your prize. If you win the Mega Millions jackpot, you have two payout options:
- Annuity: You receive your prize in annual payments over 30 years.
- Lump Sum: You receive your winnings in one lump sum, but due to withholdings and taxes, the amount is less than the advertised jackpot.
Mega Millions Taxes: How Much Will You Actually Get?
Another reason your final Mega Millions pay might be less than the amount advertised in the chart is taxes. In the US, lottery winnings are subject to federal taxes.
The IRS automatically withholds 24% of any prize over $5,000. This deduction is made before you even see the money. But that’s not all – you may owe more or less at tax time, depending on your total income.
Keep reading: How lottery winnings are taxed?
And don’t forget state taxes! Depending on where you live or bought your ticket, you might owe even more. In some states, like New York, you’ll have to pay up to 10.9% of your lottery winnings in taxes. While others, like California and New Hampshire, don’t tax lottery winnings at all.
Check the table below to see the Mega Millions tax rates by state and find out how much of your winnings you’ll actually take home.
Summing up…
As you can see from the Mega Millions payout charts, the prizes are nothing short of amazing. There’s a lot to win, from a $2 prize (covering your ticket’s cost) to a massive jackpot. And with Megaplier, secondary prizes can go as high as $5 million!
The real challenge? Beating the odds. But with Lottonia, you’re one step closer. In our app you will find smart number suggestions based on mathematical models such as Hot and Cold Numbers, the Delta System, Sum strategy, and Odds & Evens. So, download Lottonia now and start playing smarter!
But we want to hear from you! Have you ever won a Mega Millions prize? Share your story in the comments below!