Core rules Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (U.S. game show)

screenshot illustrating how question text , answer choices appear on-screen

at core, game quiz competition in goal correctly answer series of fourteen (originally fifteen) consecutive multiple-choice questions. questions of increasing difficulty, except in 2010–15 format overhaul, contestants faced round of ten questions of random difficulty, followed round of 4 questions of increasing difficulty. each question worth specified amount of money; amounts cumulative in first round, not in second. if contestant gives wrong answer question, game on , winnings reduced (or increased, in first 2 questions) $1,000 tier-one questions, $5,000 tier-two questions, , $50,000 tier-three questions. however, contestant has option of walking away without giving answer after being presented question, in case game ends , contestant guaranteed walk away money have received. exception of shuffle format, upon correctly answering questions 5 , ten, contestants guaranteed @ least amount of prize money associated level. if contestant gives incorrect answer, winnings drop down last milestone achieved. since 2015, if contestant answers question incorrectly before reaching question five, or leaves $1,000, on first question worth $500. celebrities, minimum guarantee nominated charities $10,000. prior shuffle format, contestant left nothing if (s)he answered question incorrectly before reaching first milestone. in shuffle format era, contestants incorrectly answered question had winnings reduced $1,000 in round 1 , $25,000 in round two.