This chart shows how often each Mega Ball number has been drawn over a specific period or across all previous draws. This statistic shows how many times each number has appeared in the lottery results, giving players insight into which numbers have been drawn more frequently or less frequently.
Mega Ball Frequency
The lottery number frequency statistics table below presents key metrics for analyzing the occurrence patterns of specific numbers. It includes columns for maximum interval, average interval, and last draw interval, which indicate the longest gap, the average gap, and the number of draws since a number last appeared, respectively.
Two additional columns, average rating and maximum rating, offer deeper insights into recent trends. The average rating is calculated by dividing the last draw interval by the average interval, showing how the most recent gap compares to typical spacing. Similarly, the maximum rating is obtained by dividing the last draw interval by the maximum interval, providing a measure of how close the current interval is to the longest ever recorded. Together, these statistics help identify numbers that may be overdue or performing unusually based on historical patterns.
To identify lottery numbers that may be overdue, attention should be given to the column Last Draw Interval, Average Rating, and Maximum Rating. A higher Last Draw Interval value indicates that the number hasn’t been drawn in a while and could be considered overdue. If the Average Rating is greater than 1, especially significantly so, it suggests the number has gone longer than usual without being drawn. Meanwhile, a Maximum Rating value close to 1 implies that the number is nearing or exceeding its historical maximum gap, reinforcing the idea that it may be overdue. Therefore, numbers with a high last draw interval, an average rating well above 1, and a maximum rating nearing 1 are likely candidates for being considered overdue.
Number Frequency by Rank
| Rank | Frequency | Percentile Rank | Ball |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 100% |
1
3
16
|
| 2 | 5 | 88% |
2
22
19
|
| 3 | 4 | 76% |
13
9
18
6
|
| 4 | 3 | 60% |
23
17
24
|
| 5 | 2 | 48% |
7
20
8
10
4
25
|
| 6 | 1 | 24% |
14
21
15
11
12
|
| 7 | 4% |
5
|
The Summary of Number Frequency by Rank above organizes lottery numbers based on how often they have been drawn, grouping them into tiers or ranks according to their frequencies. Numbers with the highest frequencies are placed in the top rank, indicating they have been drawn most often and may be considered "hot" numbers. Subsequent ranks include numbers with gradually lower frequencies, offering a clear comparison of how commonly each number appears.
Percentile rank shows the relative position of a number’s frequency compared to all others. It answers the question “What percentage of numbers were drawn less frequently than this one?”. Using the percentile rank you can compare easily by normalizing frequencies on a 0–100 scale, visualizes hot/cold numbers: You can chart numbers into low, mid, and high percentiles.
This ranking system helps highlight patterns in number occurrences, making it easier to identify which numbers are most frequent, moderately drawn, or rarely drawn. It provides a useful overview for players looking to base their number selections on historical draw performance.
Format Changes in US Mega Millions Lottery
Since its inception in 1996, Mega Millions has undergone several changes in its number pool format, particularly in the main number set and the Mega Ball. Initially launched as “The Big Game,” the format started with selecting 5 numbers from a pool of 50 and 1 Mega Ball from a pool of 25 and expanded its number matrix several times in 2005, 2013, and 2017. in April 2025, the format was revised again, maintaining the 5/70 for the main numbers but slightly reducing the Mega Ball pool from 1/25 to 1/24. These adjustments over time have been aimed at balancing jackpot size, odds of winning, and overall game excitement.
| Period | Format | Mega Ball |
|---|---|---|
| September 6, 1996 – Launch as “The Big Game” | 5 of 50 | 1 of 25 |
| May 17, 2002 – Rebranded “The Big Game Mega Millions” | 5 of 52 | 1 of 52 |
| October 2002 – 2005 | 5 of 56 | 1 of 46 |
| October 18–22, 2013 | 5 of 75 | 1 of 15 |
| October 28–31, 2017 | 5 of 70 | 1 of 25 |
| April 8, 2025 | 5 of 70 | 1 of 24 |
How US Mega Millions Lotto Format Changes Affect Your Number Strategy.
These format changes have a direct impact on statistical analysis. Mixing frequency data across different formats is not advisable because each version of the game has a different number pool and probability structure.
For example, a number that appeared frequently in the 5/50 format may have done so due to higher individual draw probability, but that same frequency can be misleading in the 5/75 or 5/70 formats.
Therefore, for meaningful analysis, it’s essential to treat each format as its own distinct dataset. Analyzing trends or frequencies should be restricted to results from within the same format period, especially if the goal is to inform number selection in the current game structure.