Your ticket is your entry into the drawing and, if you play on paper, your only proof that you played. Here's how a Mega Millions playslip is laid out, how to fill it out, what each play costs and what to check on the ticket the terminal prints for you. For the game itself, step by step, see how to play Mega Millions.
Playslip and ticket: not the same thing
The playslip is the form you fill in with your numbers. The ticket is what the retailer's terminal prints once you've paid. Only the ticket counts in the drawing, and it's the document you'll need to claim a prize.
You don't even need a playslip: you can simply ask the clerk for a Quick Pick, and the terminal will print a ticket with random numbers.
What the playslip looks like
Most Mega Millions playslips have five boards, labeled A to E. Each board is one play and has two grids: a large one with the numbers 1 to 70 for your white balls and a smaller one with the numbers 1 to 24 for your Mega Ball.
- A Quick Pick (QP) box on each board, to let the terminal choose the numbers for that play.
- A Multi-Draw area, to play the same numbers for several consecutive drawings.
- Instructions for marking the slip correctly, and the rules that apply in your state.
The exact layout varies a little from state to state, but the logic is the same everywhere.
How to fill it out
- Start with board A. Mark five numbers in the large grid and one Mega Ball in the small one, filling each circle completely with the pen or pencil the playslip asks for.
- Want another play? Fill in board B, then C and so on, up to E.
- Prefer random numbers? Mark the QP box on that board instead of choosing.
- To play more than one drawing, mark the number of drawings in the Multi-Draw area. The options depend on your state: in New Jersey, for example, you can play the same numbers in up to 8 consecutive drawings.
- Choose how you'd like to be paid if your playslip asks. In some states, such as New Jersey, it has Annuity and Cash Option boxes for the jackpot; in the rest, you choose when you claim the prize, under your state's rules.
- Hand the playslip to the clerk, pay and check the printed ticket before you leave. All sales are final.
How much a ticket costs
Each play costs $5 per drawing, and the multiplier is included. There's nothing else to add: the old Megaplier and Just the Jackpot options were retired in April 2025.
| Plays on the ticket | 1 drawing | 2 drawings (one week) | 4 drawings (two weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5 | $10 | $20 |
| 2 | $10 | $20 | $40 |
| 3 | $15 | $30 | $60 |
| 4 | $20 | $40 | $80 |
| 5 | $25 | $50 | $100 |
What's printed on your ticket
- The numbers of each play, with the Mega Ball shown separately.
- The multiplier assigned to each play. On Multi-Draw tickets and subscriptions, how it's assigned and shown depends on the state.
- The drawing date or dates the ticket is valid for.
- The price you paid.
- A serial number and barcode the lottery uses to validate the ticket.
Sign it and keep it safe
Sign the back of your ticket as soon as you buy it. Neither Mega Millions nor the state lotteries are responsible for lost or stolen tickets, and an unsigned ticket can be claimed by whoever holds it.
Keep it somewhere safe and flat, away from heat and water, and take a photo of both sides. Don't post pictures of it online: the numbers and barcode are all someone needs to try to claim it. If it's valid for several drawings, keep it until the last one has taken place.
If you play online
There's no paper ticket when you buy from your state lottery's website or app: your plays are stored in your account, with the same numbers, multiplier and drawing dates. With a courier service, the original ticket stays with the service and you receive a scan. The options are compared in where to play Mega Millions.
How to check your ticket
After the drawing, enter your numbers in the ticket checker: it shows the matches for each line and the prize tier you've reached. Then multiply the base prize by the multiplier on your ticket to get the amount you've won. Any retailer of your state lottery can also scan the ticket for you.
Checking an older ticket? Every past drawing, with its winning numbers and prize breakdown, is in results. Don't wait too long: claim deadlines run from 90 days to one year.
Frequently asked questions
How many plays fit on one playslip?
In most states, five: boards A to E, each one a separate $5 play. If you want more, fill in a second playslip.
Where is the multiplier on my ticket?
It's printed on the ticket when you buy it. You can't choose it or change it. If you can't find it, ask the retailer or check your state lottery's ticket guide.
Can I cancel a ticket after buying it?
Generally no: lottery sales are final. Check the printed ticket at the counter and point out any mistake before you leave.
What if I lose my ticket?
A paper ticket is your proof of purchase, and the lotteries aren't responsible for lost or stolen tickets. That's why you should sign it right away and keep it safe. If you play online, your plays are stored in your account.
Last reviewed: . Independent information: official results are published by the lottery that runs the game.