Mega Millions is one of the two major lottery games in the United States, along with Powerball. It is played in 45 states as well as Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11 p.m. ET.
To play Mega Millions, players choose five main numbers between 1 and 70 and one Mega Ball number between 1 and 25. The jackpot starts at $40 million and rolls over if there is no winner. There are nine different ways to win prizes in Mega Millions.
Matching 4 Main Numbers
If you match 4 of the 5 main numbers but not the Mega Ball, you win $500. The odds of winning this prize are 1 in 3,387.
For example, if the winning numbers are 2, 15, 34, 56, 70 and the Mega Ball is 18, and you had chosen 2, 15, 34, 56 for your main numbers, you would win $500.
Matching 3 Main Numbers + Mega Ball
If you match 3 of the 5 main numbers and the Mega Ball, you win $50. The odds of this are 1 in 701.
Using the example above, if your numbers were 2, 15, 56 and the Mega Ball you picked was 18, you would win $50.
Overall Odds of Winning a Prize
The overall odds of winning any prize in Mega Millions, including the jackpot, are 1 in 24. This means that on average, 1 in every 24 tickets sold will win a prize. The following table shows the odds of winning various prizes:
| Prize | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jackpot | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| Match 5 Main Numbers | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| Match 4 Main Numbers + Mega Ball | 1 in 931,001 |
| Match 4 Main Numbers | 1 in 38,792 |
| Match 3 Main Numbers + Mega Ball | 1 in 14,547 |
| Match 3 Main Numbers | 1 in 606 |
| Match 2 Main Numbers + Mega Ball | 1 in 781 |
| Match 1 Main Number + Mega Ball | 1 in 89 |
| Match Mega Ball Only | 1 in 37 |
Mega Millions Payout Structure
Mega Millions uses a pari-mutuel payout structure. This means the prize amounts may vary based on the number of winners and the total prize pool for a particular drawing.
Here is how the Mega Millions payouts work for matching 4 of the main numbers:
- If there are no winners of the jackpot, the $500 prize for matching 4 numbers may increase to $5,000 or more.
- If there are multiple winners of the $500 prize, the payout may decrease to below $500 per winner.
For example, if 10 people win $500 by matching 4 numbers in a drawing with no jackpot winner, the payout may end up being around $450 per person instead of the fixed $500 amount.
Mega Millions Jackpot Odds
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot by matching all 5 main numbers and the Mega Ball are an astounding 1 in 302.6 million. To put that in perspective, you are over 22,000 times more likely to be struck by lightning in your lifetime than to hit the Mega Millions jackpot.
The record Mega Millions jackpot to date is $1.537 billion, won by a single ticket in South Carolina on October 23, 2018. The winner could choose between an annuity paid out over 29 years or a one-time cash option of $878 million.
Biggest Mega Millions Prize Won with 4 Numbers
The largest Mega Millions prize ever won by matching just 4 main numbers is $5,000. This usually happens when there are no winners of the jackpot prize. The $500 prize for matching 4 numbers gets boosted to $5,000 as the prize money rolls down to the lower tier prizes.
Some notable instances when the 4 main numbers prize climbed to $5,000 include:
- July 22, 2022 – The jackpot rolled to $1.02 billion and the Match 4 prize increased to $5,000.
- January 22, 2021 – With no jackpot winner, the Match 4 prize rose to $5,000.
- October 4, 2019 – A $5,000 prize was paid out for matching 4 numbers when the jackpot reached $472 million.
Taxes on Mega Millions Prizes
Mega Millions prizes are subject to both federal and state taxes. Here is how taxes are handled on the $500 prize for matching 4 main numbers:
- Federal tax: 25% flat tax rate is withheld on the full $500 prize amount.
- State tax: Varies by state. Ranges from 0% in states with no income tax up to nearly 10% in some states.
After withholding both federal and state taxes, the final check amount on a $500 Mega Millions prize will generally be between $335 and $375, depending on the state.
Federal Taxes
For federal taxes, there is a flat 25% rate that applies to the full lottery prize amount, regardless of whether it is a jackpot or smaller fixed prize. There are no tax brackets or standard deductions that apply.
With a $500 Mega Millions prize, $125 would be withheld for federal taxes (25% of $500).
State Taxes
State income tax rates on lottery prizes range from 0% to nearly 10% depending on the state. Some states with high tax rates include:
- California: 10.3% tax on lottery winnings.
- New York: 8.82% top state tax rate.
- Oregon: 8% for top earners.
States with no income tax that would not tax a Mega Millions prize include Texas, Florida, and Washington.
Claiming a Mega Millions Prize
For prizes over $600, including the $500 award for matching 4 main Mega Millions numbers, you will need to file a claim in order to collect your winnings.
Here is the process for claiming a Mega Millions prize:
- Sign the back of your winning ticket immediately to establish ownership.
- Keep the ticket in a safe place until ready to claim.
- Fill out a claim form, either online or by mail, following the instructions for your specific state.
- Submit valid ID and Social Security number or EIN.
- Bring the signed ticket and claim form to your state’s lottery office or mail it in by certified mail.
- You will receive your prize check within a few weeks after verification.
Some states allow you to submit a claim and collect winnings by mail for smaller dollar prizes. For jackpot and larger prizes, in-person claims are usually required.
Mega Millions Statistics and Probability
Here are some further statistics on probabilities, number frequency, jackpots, and overall odds:
- The numbers 17, 42, 20, 37, and 63 have been drawn the most times in Mega Millions, each appearing over 70 times since 2002.
- 20 is the most common Mega Ball number drawn, having made up the Mega Ball 116 times.
- Your odds of matching 4 numbers improves slightly if you pick numbers 31-55, since they appear less frequently.
- There have been 22 jackpots awarded at over $300 million, including 3 exceeding $500 million.
- The average Mega Millions jackpot win is around $50 million.
- Only around 4% of active Mega Millions players pick their own numbers.
Strategies for Winning Mega Millions
While winning Mega Millions ultimately comes down to sheer luck, there are some strategies players employ to try to improve their odds:
- Avoid popular numbers like birthdays that many players choose.
- Mix high and low numbers evenly to balance out your picks.
- Use a Quick Pick and let the computer generate random numbers.
- Buy multiple tickets to increase your number coverage.
- Join an office pool or lottery syndicate to afford more tickets.
- Consistently play twice a week to improve your overall chance of hitting a prize.
Even following these tips, your odds of winning the jackpot remain exceedingly low at around 1 in 300 million. But the strategies may help increase your chances of winning a smaller prize.
Gambling Responsibly
Playing the lottery is meant to be fun, but remember to always gamble responsibly. Make sure to set a budget for lottery tickets and never spend more than you can afford to lose. Playing Mega Millions can be an enjoyable experience as long as you go in with reasonable expectations and play within your means.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you win for 4 numbers on Mega Millions?
You win $500 for matching 4 of the 5 main numbers in Mega Millions. The prize increases to $5,000 if there is no jackpot winner.
What are the odds of winning $500 on Mega Millions?
The odds of winning $500 by matching 4 numbers are about 1 in 3,387 per play.
Can you win money with 3 numbers on Mega Millions?
Yes, you can win $50 by matching 3 main numbers plus the Mega Ball. The odds of this are 1 in 701.
What is the minimum Mega Millions jackpot?
The minimum Mega Millions jackpot is $40 million. If no one wins the jackpot, it continues rolling over until there is a winner.
How many numbers do you need to win Mega Millions?
To win the jackpot you need to match all 5 main numbers plus the Mega Ball. There are 9 prize tiers in total, starting with matching just the Mega Ball which wins you $2.
Conclusion
Winning $500 in Mega Millions by matching 4 main numbers is a nice secondary prize with odds of about 1 in 3,400 per play. While not as lucrative as the jackpot, it’s still an exciting win. With strategic number choices and consistent play, you can improve your Mega Millions odds and potentially take home a $500 prize or more.