Mega Millions has nine prize tiers, from matching just the Mega Ball to the jackpot. Every prize except the jackpot is multiplied by the 2X to 10X multiplier on your ticket, so the smallest win is $10 and matching five white balls pays up to $10 million. Here's what each tier pays, how often it comes up and how prizes are claimed.
The nine prize tiers
The prize depends on how many of the five white balls you match (from the pool of 1 to 70) and whether you match the Mega Ball (from the pool of 1 to 24):
| Tier | Match | Base prize | With 2X | With 10X | Odds (1 in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 + Mega Ball | Jackpot | Jackpot | Jackpot | 290,472,336 |
| 2nd | 5 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $10,000,000 | 12,629,232 |
| 3rd | 4 + Mega Ball | $10,000 | $20,000 | $100,000 | 893,761 |
| 4th | 4 | $500 | $1,000 | $5,000 | 38,859 |
| 5th | 3 + Mega Ball | $200 | $400 | $2,000 | 13,965 |
| 6th | 3 | $10 | $20 | $100 | 607 |
| 7th | 2 + Mega Ball | $10 | $20 | $100 | 665 |
| 8th | 1 + Mega Ball | $7 | $14 | $70 | 86 |
| 9th | Mega Ball only | $5 | $10 | $50 | 35 |
The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 23.07. Each play wins only its highest tier. In California, non-jackpot prizes are paid on a pari-mutuel basis, so the amounts there depend on local sales and the number of winners. Where these odds come from is explained in Mega Millions odds.
How the multiplier changes your prize
Every play has a multiplier, assigned at random when you buy and printed on the ticket. Prize tables often show the base prize; what you're paid is that amount times your multiplier. Four white balls, for example, pay $1,000 with a 2X, $1,500 with a 3X and $5,000 with a 10X.
| Multiplier | Odds |
|---|---|
| 2X | 1 in 2.13 |
| 3X | 1 in 3.2 |
| 4X | 1 in 8 |
| 5X | 1 in 16 |
| 10X | 1 in 32 |
On average, the multiplier works out to 3X. Every prize with all five multipliers is in the Mega Millions multiplier.
The jackpot
The first tier is the only one without a fixed amount. It starts at $50 million, rolls over with no cap until someone wins and is shared equally if there's more than one winning ticket. The winner can take it as an annuity of 30 payments, each 5% bigger than the last, or as a lower lump-sum cash payment. How it grows is explained in the Mega Millions jackpot, and the biggest ever in the biggest Mega Millions jackpots.
Where to claim each prize
You always claim in the state where you bought the ticket, and where you go depends on the amount. The thresholds vary from state to state, but as a rule:
- Smaller prizes, usually up to $599 or $600, can be cashed at any retailer of that state lottery. If you played online, they're usually credited to your account.
- Larger prizes require a claim form and a photo ID, at a lottery office or claim center or, in many states, by mail.
- The biggest prizes and the jackpot are claimed at the state lottery's headquarters, often by appointment, after a verification process.
Deadlines run from 90 days to one year from the drawing, depending on the state. And no real lottery ever asks you to pay a fee to release a prize. Every step is in how to claim a Mega Millions prize.
Taxes on prizes
All lottery prizes are taxable income. On prizes over $5,000, the lottery withholds 24% in federal tax when it pays you (30% if you're not a U.S. resident) and reports the prize to the IRS on Form W-2G. That withholding is an advance: depending on your total income you may owe more when you file, up to the top federal rate of 37%.
State taxes depend on where you bought the ticket and where you live. California doesn't tax California Lottery prizes, states with no income tax such as Florida and Texas don't tax them either, and others charge more than 10% on large prizes. Always check with a tax professional before claiming a big win.
Check your prizes
After each drawing we publish the winning numbers and the prize breakdown in results. To check your own plays, enter them in the ticket checker: it tells you the tier you've reached on each line. Then multiply by your multiplier.
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest Mega Millions prize?
$10, for matching only the Mega Ball with a 2X multiplier. With a 10X, the same match pays $50.
How much do you win for matching five numbers?
Matching the five white balls without the Mega Ball pays $1 million times your multiplier: between $2 million and $10 million, except in California, where the amount is pari-mutuel.
Why does a prize table show a different amount from my ticket?
Prize tables often list the base prize. Your actual prize is that base amount multiplied by the multiplier printed on your ticket, from 2X to 10X.
Can I win the same prize on several lines?
Yes. Each play on your ticket is checked separately, and each can win its own prize.
Can I stay anonymous if I win?
It depends on the state where you bought the ticket. Some states let winners stay anonymous or claim through a trust or an LLC, while others make winners' names public. Check your state's rules before you claim. Every step is in how to claim a Mega Millions prize.
Last reviewed: . Independent information: official results are published by the lottery that runs the game.