Calculate your Mega Millions winning odds and expected value
Odds = C(70,5) × 25 = 302,575,350Enter jackpot and ticket count
Based on 1 ticket(s)
Ticket Cost
$2
Expected Value
-$2
Return Rate
23.4%
House Edge
76.6%
| Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + MB | $150,000,000 | 1 in 302.6M |
| 5 | $1,000,000 | 1 in 12.6M |
| 4 + MB | $10,000 | 1 in 931.0K |
| 4 | $500 | 1 in 38.8K |
| 3 + MB | $200 | 1 in 14.5K |
| 3 | $10 | 1 in 606 |
| 2 + MB | $10 | 1 in 693 |
| 1 + MB | $4 | 1 in 89 |
| MB | $2 | 1 in 37 |
Quick-start with common scenarios
Mega Millions jackpot odds are 1 in 302,575,350 - slightly worse than Powerball. You pick 5 white balls (1-70) and 1 gold Mega Ball (1-25). Overall odds of winning ANY prize are 1 in 24. Tickets cost $2 ($3 with Megaplier). The record jackpot was $1.537 billion in 2018.
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350. This is calculated as C(70,5) × 25 = 12,103,014 × 25 = 302,575,350. These are slightly worse than Powerball (1 in 292 million).
Powerball has slightly better jackpot odds (1 in 292 million vs 1 in 302 million). However, Mega Millions has better odds for the Match 5 prize ($1 million). Both have similar overall odds for winning any prize (~1 in 24).
Megaplier costs $1 extra and multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x. The expected value is slightly negative, but it can be worthwhile if you value the increased smaller prizes. The $1 million Match 5 prize becomes $2-5 million with Megaplier.
The largest Mega Millions jackpot was $1.537 billion on October 23, 2018, won by a single ticket in South Carolina. The winner chose to remain anonymous and took the lump sum option.