Mega Millions has nine prize tiers. You can think of these as nine chances to win, with the jackpot being the biggest prize, which can reach hundreds of millions of dollars. While the jackpot usually receives the most attention, many people want to know what they can win by matching just one, two, or three numbers.
This guide will focus only on the prizes for matching 1, 2, and 3 numbers. This will provide all the necessary information and help you set realistic expectations for the game.
- You win at least a small prize if you match just the Mega Ball.
- The multiplier is applied automatically and randomly raises all non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x.
- You can play Mega Millions on trusted platforms like theLotter that let you collect even the smallest prizes instantly.
Contents
How Mega Millions Works
The Mega Millions game follows the same format as any other lottery game, where you choose numbers from a number pool and win if you get the exact match in the draw. Here, you win the jackpot if you match all five white balls from 1 to 70, plus the Mega Ball from a pool of numbers, numbered 1 to 24. However, there are prizes in lower tiers if you aren’t lucky enough to match all five numbers and the Powerball. You will receive a prize as long as you can match the Mega Ball.
What Do You Win With 1, 2, and 3 Numbers?
If you match 1, 2, or 3 numbers in the Mega Millions lottery, you won’t win a lot of money, certainly not enough to become a millionaire like you would if you hit the jackpot or matched 4 numbers. But don’t worry! You can still win a small prize, enough to cover the cost of your next ticket.
Matching 1 Number (Mega Ball Only)
The Mega Ball is drawn from a pool of 24 numbers, numbered 1 through 24. The odds of matching the Mega Ball only are 1 in 35, and if you match it, you automatically qualify for the last prize tier of $5. Additionally, when you buy a ticket, you also get a random multiplier. This multiplier can be 2, 3, 4, 5, or even 10 times your prize. With the highest multiplier, you could win up to $50.
The table below shows the possible prizes for matching the Mega Ball.
| Multiplier | Prize ($5) |
|---|---|
| 2x | $10 |
| 3x | $15 |
| 4x | $20 |
| 5x | $25 |
| 10x | $50 |
Matching 2 Numbers (1 Regular Number + Mega Ball)
If you match the Mega Ball and one of the five main balls, you qualify for a $7 prize. The odds of winning a prize in this tier are 1 in 86. The prize may look small at first glance, but if you factor in the multiplier, your prize can get as high as $70.
The table below shows the possible prizes for matching the Mega Ball.
| Multiplier | Prize ($7) |
|---|---|
| 2x | $14 |
| 3x | $21 |
| 4x | $28 |
| 5x | $35 |
| 10x | $70 |
Matching 3 Numbers (3 Regular Numbers OR 2 Regular Numbers + Mega Ball)
There are two ways to win if you match 3 numbers. It is either you match 3 main balls or you match the Mega Ball, and two main balls, and the Mega Ball. The odds of matching three main balls are 1 in 607, and the odds of matching two main balls and a Mega Ball are 1 in 665. However, regardless of which category you fall into, the prize is the same. You get $10 for both categories. Factoring in the multiplier, you can get as high as $100 for matching three numbers.
The table below shows the possible prizes for matching three Mega Ball.
| Multiplier | Prize ($10) |
|---|---|
| 2x | $20 |
| 3x | $30 |
| 4x | $40 |
| 5x | $50 |
| 10x | $100 |
How the Megaplier Affects Winnings
When you play the lottery and match 1, 2, or 3 numbers, the prize can feel small compared to the big jackpot or the larger prizes for matching four or five numbers. However, there’s something called the Megaplier that can help you boost your smaller winnings. For example, if you win $10 for matching two main numbers and the Powerball and have a Megaplier of 4 times, your prize would then increase to $40.
Previously, using the Megaplier cost an extra $1 for each ticket, but there has been a change. As of April 5th, 2025, it’s now included for free with every ticket you buy.
Conclusion
Now you know how much you can get when you match 1, 2, and 3 numbers in the Mega Millions game. While the jackpot prize remains the goal for every lottery player, winning these lower-tier prizes also makes you a winner, multiplying what you spent on tickets.
Also, since they are small prizes, you will get your payout almost immediately if you play on the trusted online lottery sites like theLotter, Lotto Agent, LottoGo, and WinTrillions, which you can withdraw or use to play more games.
FAQs
How many numbers do you need to win a Mega Million prize?
You need to match at least a Mega Ball to win a prize in the Mega Millions game. The prize starts at $10 and increases as you match more numbers or the random multiplier that the game will assign to you.
Does playing multiple tickets increase my chances of winning smaller prizes in Mega Millions?
Yes, playing multiple tickets in the Mega Millions game increases your chances of winning. For instance, the odds of matching the Mega Ball are 1 in 35. If you buy one more ticket and choose different numbers, your odds of matching will increase to 2 in 35. The more tickets you buy, the better your odds.
Can I win multiple smaller prizes in the same Mega Millions draw?
Each ticket is eligible to win only one prize, which is the highest prize applicable based on the numbers matched. Even if your ticket matches combinations that correspond to multiple prize tiers, you will receive only the highest prize for that ticket. You can only win multiple smaller prizes in the same Mega Millions draw if you buy multiple tickets and they all match the winning numbers separately.
How much do you win if you match all 5 numbers, but not the Mega Ball?
If you match all five white balls but not the Mega Ball in a Mega Millions drawing, you win the second-tier prize. However,, each play includes a built-in multiplier that can increase non-jackpot prizes by 2x to 10x, enhancing the potential winnings for each play. This means that the second-tier award can range from $2 million up to $10 million, depending on the multiplier drawn for that ticket.
Do Mega Millions prize amounts vary based on the jackpot size?
Only the Mega Millions prize varies depending on the size of the lottery pool. It starts at $50 million and grows with rollover every draw until there is a winner. However, other lower-tier prizes remain fixed.
