Mega Millions draw insights for Friday, Aug 21, 2026 One number in the latest draw had the draw's shortest gap, three draws, versus the past year's record-low gap of one draw, set by number 46. Mega Millions tools Pick five numbers from 1 to 70. Pick a Mega Ball number from 1 to 24. After the draw, check if you’ve won. Mega Millions news Samantha Herscher View all Mega Millions news Five due numbers One due Mega Ball number Five not due numbers One not due Mega Ball number Mega Millions Jackpot History Biggest jackpot Current est. jackpot Prizes and odds Multiplier odds 10 biggest jackpot wins Mega Millions is played in 45 states in the U.S. as well as in the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It was introduced in 1996 as the Big Game and then relaunched in 2002 as Mega Millions. New York and California have had the most winners for Mega Millions. Players can enter the same numbers in multiple draws. The maximum number of consecutive draws varies depending on the jurisdiction. California is the only state where all prizes are pari-mutuel. Mega Millions players have the option of purchasing tickets for draws in advance. However, the maximum number of draws varies by jurisdiction. Here’s a complete list of the participating jurisdictions and their corresponding limits on advance draw purchases for Mega Millions. Mega Millions is a massive U.S. lottery with jackpots that are frequently in the range of hundreds of millions of dollars. Read on for a brief history of this ever-popular game.

How do I play Mega Millions? Pick five numbers from 1 to 70 and a Mega Ball number from 1 to 24, or select Quick Pick. Add the Megaplier option for a chance to multiply any non-jackpot winnings. What is the Quick Pick option? The Quick Pick play generates random numbers to use in the draw so that you don’t have to come up with your own. What is the Mega Ball number? It’s the sixth number on your ticket, ranging between 1 and 24. Matching it wins you at least $10. What is the Mega Millions Multiplier? A Multiplier number is randomly printed for every Mega Millions play. The Multiplier can be x2, x3, x4, x5, or x10. All non-jackpot prizes are multiplied by that number. What are the payout options for the Mega Millions jackpot? If you win the jackpot, you can either have it paid as a one-time cash lump sum, or as an annuity with annual payments made over 29 years. To compare the two options, check out our annuity cash converter tool . Why is the cash lump sum on a Mega Millions jackpot less than the advertised annuity option? The cash lump sum is the money immediately available, generated from the sale of Mega Millions tickets. The annuity option invests the cash lump sum in government bonds over 29 years, so it gains interest over time. Use our annuity payment schedule tool to view an estimate of these annual payments. When are Mega Millions draws held? Mega Millions draws take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 p.m. ET, 8:00 p.m. PT, 10:00 p.m. CT, and 9:00 p.m. MT. Where do the Mega Millions draws take place? Draws are held in Atlanta, Georgia, at WSB-TV. If I buy my Mega Millions ticket in one state, can I redeem my prize in another state? No. Mega Millions is sold by individual state lotteries, so you must redeem your winning ticket in the state in which it was purchased. Where is Mega Millions played? Mega Millions is played in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. How do I know if I’ve won a Mega Millions play? Check the Lottery USA homepage or our Mega Millions page. You can also use our Mega Millions number checker . What taxes are lottery prizes subject to? All lottery prizes are taxed at the federal level, and most states also tax lottery winnings. Taking a cash lump sum payout can push you into a higher tax bracket. See our tax calculator to find out how much you will owe if you win the jackpot. State lotteries Multi-state games Your feedback is important. We'd love to know what you think about our new website.