The mean and range are basic statistics often used to study past draws. The mean shows the average of the numbers drawn, while the range shows the gap between the highest and lowest numbers. These measures help illustrate how random draws can cluster or spread over time.
Mega Millions Charts
Histogram of Means
In lottery analysis, a histogram of means is used as a statistical tool to illustrate how often different average values of lotto combinations occur across multiple draws. This helps identify whether drawn combinations tend to produce lower, middle, or higher average numbers, giving insight into the overall balance and spread of outcomes.
The chart below is a histogram of mean values of lotto combinations from Nov. 29, 2024 to Aug. 15, 2025 , covering 75 draws. The range of possible means is divided into categories or bins. In this case, the bins are defined as intervals such as 1-9 up to 64-70, each representing a continuous range of mean values.
This division is necessary because individual mean values can vary widely, and grouping them into intervals makes patterns easier to observe. For example, by examining how frequently means fall into each bin, anyone can quickly see whether the draws are evenly distributed, clustered in particular ranges, or biased toward lower or higher averages.
The histogram of mean values reveals notable patterns. The most frequent mean range is 28-36 with 35 occurrences, suggesting this interval is the most common outcome across the draws. On the other hand, the least frequent mean range is 1-9 with 0 occurrences, indicating relatively rare outcomes in this interval. This suggests a strong concentration of mean values within specific ranges. In summary, the distribution of mean values shows a tendency for draws to cluster around the higher-frequency ranges.
Histogram of Ranges
A histogram of ranges is used as a statistical representation that shows how often different spread values occur in lotto draws. It also highlights whether draws are typically made up of closely clustered numbers, broadly spread numbers, or something in between. The range of a combination is determined by subtracting the smallest number from the largest number in a draw.
The histogram of ranges below covers 75 draws from Nov. 29, 2024 to Aug. 15, 2025 . The possible range values are divided into bins or categories. In this case, the bins span intervals such as 4-12 up to 67-69, with each bin representing a continuous span of range outcomes.
This categorization is important because the range can vary significantly from draw to draw, and grouping outcomes into bins allows you to identify patterns more clearly. For instance, a concentration of draws in smaller ranges would suggest that numbers often appear close together, whereas higher frequencies in larger ranges indicate that numbers are more widely spread across the lotto field.
The histogram shows that the most frequent range is 49-57 with 20 occurrences, suggesting that combinations with this level of spread are the most common. In contrast, the least frequent range is 4-12 with only 1 occurrences, indicating that draws falling into this spread are relatively rare. This points to a clear clustering of draws around certain range values. Overall, the distribution of ranges tends to cluster in certain spread intervals, showing that draws are more likely to fall within these specific ranges.
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.