How to Check If Your Lottery Ticket Won

To check a lottery ticket, compare your five main numbers and the special ball (the Powerball or Mega Ball) to the official winning numbers for your draw date. You win a prize for any matching tier shown on the ticket — and you don’t need all five numbers to win something. The fastest way is to photograph your ticket and let the numbers be read and matched for you.

Here are the three ways to check, from fastest to most manual.

1. Scan a photo of your ticket

The quickest option: open Win That Lotto on your phone, take a photo of your ticket, and the numbers are read and checked against the official draw automatically. If your ticket has several lines, each one is checked. This avoids the most common mistake — misreading a number when you check by hand.

2. Enter your numbers by hand

On a desktop, or if you’d rather type, you can enter your numbers manually. Add a line for each play on your ticket, put in the draw date, and check them all at once. This is handy when you play the same numbers every week.

3. Compare to the official winning numbers

You can always match by eye against the published results. See the latest Powerball numbers or latest Mega Millions numbers, find your draw date, and line up your numbers. Remember the special ball is separate — matching the red Powerball or gold Mega Ball is what unlocks the lower prize tiers.

How prizes work

Both games have nine prize tiers. The lowest pays for matching only the special ball; the top tier is the jackpot for matching all five numbers plus the special ball. Lower-tier prizes are fixed amounts that are the same in every state — except California, where every prize is pari-mutuel and varies with ticket sales. You can see the full breakdown, and estimate taxes, with the payout & tax calculator.

If you won, here’s what to do

• Sign the back of the ticket right away — it’s a bearer instrument.
• Verify with the official lottery before celebrating; unofficial checks can be wrong.
• Note the claim deadline — most states allow 90 days to a year from the draw.
• For large prizes, talk to a tax professional and decide between the lump sum and the annuity.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need all the numbers to win?

No. You win the smallest prize for matching just the Powerball or Mega Ball. You don’t need all five main numbers to win something.

How long do you have to claim a prize?

It varies by state, usually between 90 days and one year from the draw date. Check the rules for the state where you bought the ticket.

Does the order of the numbers matter?

No — only whether each number was drawn. The special ball is the exception: it must match the Powerball or Mega Ball, not a main number.

This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Always confirm a win with the official lottery operator before claiming.