How Much Can You Win Playing Mega Millions?
Week after week, millions try their luck with Mega Millions, hoping for a life-changing win.
The sky-high Mega Millions jackpots make it almost impossible to resist, offering the chance to become an instant millionaire and live the dream. The prospect of winning hundreds of millions of dollars appeals to a broad spectrum of individuals. When money’s tight and it’s hard to get by, Mega Millions offers a chance to change everything.
Mega Millions Odds
The probability of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is exceedingly low. Even so, the dream of that winning ticket draws people to stores, gas stations, and kiosks from coast to coast. Even though it’s a long shot, the simple chance of winning keeps hope alive. Everyone talks about what they’d do with the money if they won, turning conversations into a big daydream. The Mega Millions jackpot has a winning probability of 1 in 302.5 million. You can win more than just the jackpot in Mega Millions—there are other prizes too. You can win anywhere from $2 to $1 million in these prizes. Winning a smaller prize is way easier than winning the jackpot. You’ve got a 1 in 37 shot at winning $2, for instance. The Mega Millions lottery offers a range of prize categories, from the grand prize to smaller monetary awards. After choosing their numbers and awaiting the draw, participants eagerly hope to match a sufficient number of selections to receive a prize. Here are the ways to win in Mega Millions:
Top Prize
Achieving the Mega Millions jackpot requires matching all five main numbers in addition to the Mega Ball. This achievement awards the life-changing jackpot, which has a starting value of $20 million and increases if there is no winner. The jackpot prize often reaches hundreds of millions of dollars, and in some instances, surpasses this figure.
Second Prize
If you match all five main numbers but not the Mega Ball, you win the second prize, which is $1 million. While a substantial amount, it is notably smaller than the grand prize. Winning this much money can still make a huge difference in someone’s life.
Third Prize
The third-tier prize is awarded for matching four main numbers in addition to the Mega Ball. Even though it’s not as big as the top two prizes, it’s still a lot of money that can make a real difference. The value of this prize is $5,000.
Fourth Prize
Matching four of the main numbers, but not the Mega Ball, results in winning the fourth-tier prize. The value of this prize is $500.
Fifth Prize
You win the fifth prize if you match three main numbers and the Mega Ball, or even just the Mega Ball. The value of this prize is $50.
Sixth Prize
Matching three of the main numbers, but not the Mega Ball, results in winning the sixth-tier prize. You win $5 with this prize.
Seventh Prize
The seventh-tier prize is conferred upon participants who correctly match two main numbers and the Mega Ball. It’s a $5 prize.
Eighth Prize
One of the smaller prizes, the lowest prize tier.
What is the largest sum ever won in the Mega Millions lottery? The Mega Millions jackpot has exploded to a mind-blowing $1.6 billion—the biggest jackpot Mega Millions has ever seen! The winning numbers were 13, 19, 20, 32, and 33, with a Mega Ball of 14 and a Megaplier of 2x. We don’t know who won until they come forward and get their tickets validated, which means many winners remain a mystery.