Mega Millions Odds Calculator: True Chances of Winning
The Mega Millions lottery offers prizes ranging from $2 up to hundreds of millions in the jackpot. To truly understand the game, American players must know the exact odds of winning at each prize level. The simple fact is that the chance of winning the grand prize is exceptionally small.
The overall odds of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 24. However, the odds of hitting the jackpot are astronomically low, sitting at 1 in 302,575,350. This probability is fixed for every drawing. The Mega Millions Odds Calculator below provides a clear, tier-by-tier breakdown of the probability and potential payout for every possible match.
How Mega Millions Odds Are Calculated
Mega Millions requires players to pick six total numbers: five white balls from a pool of 70 and one gold Mega Ball from a separate pool of 25. The odds are calculated by finding the total number of possible combinations.
The total number of ways to pick the five white balls is 12,103,014. Since there are 25 Mega Balls, you multiply the two numbers:
This gives you the total number of combinations, meaning your chance of winning the jackpot with one ticket is one in that full amount. Odds for smaller prizes are calculated by figuring out how many different combinations can result in that particular win.
Mega Millions Odds Calculator Tool
Mega Millions Odds Calculator
Calculate the odds of matching a certain number of white balls and the Mega Ball.
Assumptions: standard Mega Millions format (pick 5 white balls from 1–70, plus 1 Mega Ball from 1–25). Change the numbers above if rules change.
Prize Tier Breakdown: Odds of Winning Each Level
The following table details the specific odds for winning each of the nine prize tiers, assuming you purchase a single $2 ticket without the Megaplier option.
Note: The overall probability of winning any prize is calculated to be approximately 1 in 24. However, as shown above, the vast majority of wins are for the smallest prize of $2.
Understanding the Megaplier (Increasing the Payout, Not the Odds)
Many players choose to add the Megaplier option for an extra $1 per ticket. It is important to know what this does.
The Megaplier does not change your odds of winning any prize. It only changes the payout for non-jackpot prizes. A separate number, the Megaplier (2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x), is drawn before the main lottery numbers. If you win a smaller prize and chose the Megaplier option, your prize is multiplied by that number.
For example, if you match 4 white balls (a $500 base prize) and the Megaplier drawn is 5x, your total prize would jump to $2,500.
Megaplier Probability
The Megaplier is drawn from a weighted pool. The chances of getting a higher multiplier are less likely than a lower one.
- 5x Multiplier: Your chances are 1 in 15
- 2x Multiplier: Your chances are 5 in 15 (or 1 in 3)
The Megaplier never multiplies the jackpot prize.
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