The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot, which is currently at $740 million and ranks as the eighth-largest ever, are as follows.

The current Mega Millions jackpot is $740 million, making it the eighth-largest in the game's history and the largest ever in December.

In order to win the jackpot, you must match all six winning numbers in a drawing. To participate, you select six numbers from two distinct sets: five numbers ranging from 1 to 70 and one number from 1 to 25, which is the gold Mega Ball.

The chances of winning the jackpot are slim, with only one in 302,575,350 chances.

Winning a smaller prize, ranging from $2 to $1 million, is more likely with odds of 1 in 24, according to the lottery.

Here's a look at the odds for each prize amount:

• Jackpot (Match 5 numbers + Mega Ball): 1 in 302,575,350
• $1,000,000 (Match 5 numbers): 1 in 12,607,306
• $10,000 (Match 4 numbers + Mega Ball): 1 in 931,001
• $500 (Match 4 numbers): 1 in 38,792
• $200 (Match 3 numbers + Mega Ball): 1 in 14,547
• $10 (Match 3 numbers): 1 in 606
• $10 (Match 2 numbers + Mega Ball): 1 in 693
• $4 (Match 1 number + Mega Ball): 1 in 89
• $2 (Match Mega Ball only): 1 in 37

Although Mega Millions tickets will cost $5 each in 2025, the jackpot will continue to grow if there are no winners, as a portion of ticket sales is added before each draw.

The next draw for the prize is on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 11 p.m. ET. If no one wins, the jackpot will roll over to Friday, Dec. 20 at 11 p.m. ET.

To view the Mega Millions draw live, visit their YouTube channel. Winners' updates are posted on the Mega Millions website every Wednesday and Saturday morning after tickets have been confirmed.

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