Powerball & Mega Millions FAQ: Results, Odds and Statistics
Answers about past winning numbers, hot and cold numbers, lottery statistics, multipliers, drawing dates, prize information and ticket checking.
Where can I find past Powerball and Mega Millions winning numbers?
Choose a game and open Past results to search the available archive by date or number. A drawing page includes its winning numbers, historical rules, recorded update time, official source links, and available prize information. The archive is not a live drawing feed.
What do hot, cold, and overdue lottery numbers mean?
These are informal labels for frequent appearances, infrequent appearances, or long gaps in a selected historical sample. Their meaning depends on the game, rule period, and sample dates. None changes a number’s probability in the next independent, fair drawing.
Can past results predict the next lottery drawing?
No. In an independent, fair drawing, past outcomes do not change the probability of a valid combination. Frequencies and gaps describe history, not a winning strategy.
Why do white-ball frequency percentages add up to 500%?
Each percentage is based on the number of drawings, not the total number of balls. Each drawing contains five different white balls, so five appearances are counted per drawing. The special-ball percentages add up to 100%.
Why does Mega Millions sometimes have no draw multiplier?
For the rule period that began on April 8, 2025, the multiplier is assigned to each ticket. There is no single draw-level multiplier. Check the rule history for the format that applies to your drawing.
Does a missing prize amount mean my ticket lost?
No. A historical drawing can have verified numbers but incomplete prize details. A missing amount is not zero and does not determine ticket validity. Verify the original ticket with the lottery where it was purchased.
Can the special ball have the same number as a white ball?
Yes. It comes from a separate number pool. The five white numbers must be different from each other, but the special ball can repeat one of them.
Which time zone do drawing dates use?
We use the date of the drawing in U.S. Eastern Time, even if it is already the next day where you live.
Are jackpot amounts take-home winnings?
No. Reported jackpots are overall annuity or cash figures before taxes. They are not individual payouts, tax estimates or guaranteed final amounts.
Does the number checker save my numbers?
No. The comparison runs locally in your browser against the selected drawing. Entered ticket numbers are not submitted or stored by the checker.
For more detail, read our statistical methods, data coverage notes and game comparison.