If you’ve ever scratched off a Virginia Lottery ticket and noticed a small 3-letter code hidden under the latex coating, you’re not alone. Thousands of VA players search for what these codes mean every month — and for good reason. They’re a relic of an older system that still appears on modern tickets.
Below you’ll find the complete list of Virginia scratch-off validation codes, what they actually are, how they were originally used, and — importantly — why they shouldn’t change how you buy tickets.
Last updated: June 2026
What Are the 3-Letter Codes on Virginia Scratch Tickets?
The 3-letter codes on Virginia Lottery scratch-off tickets are validation codes (sometimes called “prize codes” or “check codes”). Each code corresponds to a specific prize amount.
For example, if you see the code TEN on your ticket, it means the prize is $10. If you see HUN, it’s $100. The codes are essentially scrambled abbreviations of the prize value.
Why Do They Exist?
Before computerized lottery terminals became standard, Virginia Lottery retailers needed a way to verify winning tickets when their systems went down. The 3-letter codes allowed store clerks to manually confirm a prize amount without needing to scan the barcode.
Today, all Virginia Lottery tickets are validated electronically — either through the retailer’s terminal, a self-service Ticket Scanner Plus machine, or the Virginia Lottery mobile app. The 3-letter codes are still printed on tickets but are no longer the primary validation method.
Where to Find the Code on Your Ticket
The validation code is typically located in a small box under the scratch-off coating, separate from the main play area. It’s usually near the bottom of the ticket or in a designated “validation” section. Not all newer Virginia Lottery scratchers still include visible letter codes — some have transitioned to barcode-only validation.
Complete Virginia Scratch-Off Code List
Here’s the full list of 3-letter validation codes used on Virginia Lottery scratch-off tickets. Each prize amount has a primary code and several alternate codes (anagrams of the same letters).
Low-Value Prizes ($1–$50)
| Prize Amount | Primary Code | Alternate Codes |
|---|---|---|
| $1 | ONE | OEN, NOE, NEO, EON, ENO |
| $2 | TWO | TOW, WTO, WOT, OTW, OWT |
| $3 | THR | TRH, HTR, HRT, RTH, RHT |
| $4 | FOR | FRO, OFR, ORF, RFO, ROF |
| $5 | FIV | FVI, IFV, IVF, VFI, VIF |
| $6 | SIX | SXI, ISX, IXS, XSI, XIS |
| $7 | SVN | SNV, VSN, VNS, NSV, NVS |
| $8 | EGT | ETG, GET, GTE, TEG, TGE |
| $9 | NYN | YNN, NNY |
| $10 | TEN | TNE, ETN, ENT, NTE, NET |
| $15 | FTN | FNT, TFN, TNF, NFT, NTF |
| $20 | TWY | TYW, WTY, WYT, YTW, YWT |
| $25 | TWF | TFW, WTF, WFT, FTW, FWT |
| $30 | TRY | TYR, RTY, RYT, YTR, YRT |
| $40 | FRY | FYR, RFY, RYF, YFR, YRF |
| $50 | FTY | FYT, TFY, TYF, YFT, YTF |
Mid-Value Prizes ($60–$500)
| Prize Amount | Primary Code | Alternate Codes |
|---|---|---|
| $60 | SXY | SYX, XSY, XYS, YSX, YXS |
| $70 | SVY | SYV, VSY, VYS, YSV, YVS |
| $75 | SFN | SNF, FSN, FNS, NSF, NFS |
| $80 | ETY | EYT, TEY, TYE, YET, YTE |
| $90 | NTY | NYT, TNY, TYN, YNT, YTN |
| $100 | HUN | HNU, UHN, UNH, NHU, NUH |
| $150 | HFT | HTF, FHT, FTH, THF, TFH |
| $200 | THN | TNH, HTN, HNT, NTH, NHT |
| $250 | TFT | FTT, TTF |
| $300 | HER | HRE, EHR, ERH, RHE, REH |
| $400 | FRN | FNR, RFN, RNF, NFR, NRF |
| $500 | FHN | FNH, HFN, HNF, NFH, NHF |
High-Value Prizes ($600–$10,000)
| Prize Amount | Primary Code | Alternate Codes |
|---|---|---|
| $600 | SHN | SNH, HSN, HNS, NSH, NHS |
| $700 | SVH | SHV, VSH, VHS, HSV, HVS |
| $750 | SFT | STF, FST, FTS, TSF, TFS |
| $777 | SSN | SNS, NSS |
| $800 | EHN | ENH, HEN, HNE, NEH, NHE |
| $900 | NHN | HNN, NNH |
| $1,000 | THO | TOH, HTO, HOT, OTH, OHT |
| $2,000 | THK | TKH, HTK, HKT, KTH, KHT |
| $2,500 | TWH | THW, WTH, WHT, HTW, HWT |
| $3,000 | HEK | HKE, EHK, EKH, KHE, KEH |
| $5,000 | FVT | FTV, VFT, VTF, TFV, TVF |
| $7,777 | STN | SNT, TSN, TNS, NST, NTS |
| $10,000 | TTO | TOT, OTT |
Top Prizes ($20,000+)
| Prize Amount | Primary Code | Alternate Codes |
|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | TKO | TOK, KTO, KOT, OTK, OKT |
| $25,000 | TFO | TOF, FTO, FOT, OTF, OFT |
| $30,000 | TRO | TOR, RTO, ROT, OTR, ORT |
| $50,000 | FVO | FOV, VFO, VOF, OFV, OVF |
| $77,777 | SSS | N/A |
| $100,000 | HUG | HGU, UHG, UGH, GHU, GUH |
| $200,000 | TUG | TGU, UTG, UGT, GTU, GUT |
| $500,000 | FUG | FGU, UFG, UGF, GFU, GUF |
| $1,000,000 | MIL | MLI, IML, ILM, LMI, LIM |
| $2,000,000 | TML | TLM, MTL, MLT, LTM, LMT |
| $5,000,000 | FML | FLM, MFL, MLF, LFM, LMF |
Note: Some newer Virginia Lottery scratchers may use different codes or may not include visible letter codes at all. The codes above cover the majority of games currently in circulation.
How the Code System Works
The Virginia Lottery’s 3-letter code system follows a pattern:
- The primary code is usually an abbreviation of the prize amount (ONE = $1, TEN = $10, HUN = $100, THO = $1,000, MIL = $1,000,000)
- Alternate codes are anagrams (rearrangements) of the same three letters — this adds a layer of security since there are multiple valid codes per prize
- Loser codes typically use single letters like P, B, Z, or D
The system was designed so that a retailer could glance at the code and quickly determine the prize tier without needing to interpret the full game play area — useful for complex crossword or multi-game tickets.
Should You Use These Codes to Check Your Tickets?
No — and here’s why.
While it’s tempting to scratch just the code area to quickly check if you’ve won, the Virginia Lottery explicitly advises against relying solely on validation codes. Here’s what can go wrong:
- Codes can be misread. A smudged “E” looks like an “F.” A scratched “T” looks like an “I.” One wrong letter and you might throw away a winner — or celebrate a loser.
- Not all tickets use the same code set. Some newer games have different codes or no visible codes at all. The tables above cover most games, but not every ticket in circulation.
- Retailers can take advantage. If you hand a ticket to a clerk and ask them to “check the code,” an unscrupulous clerk could tell you it’s a loser and pocket it. This has happened — it’s why self-service scanners exist.
- The barcode is the official validation. Per Virginia Administrative Code 11VAC5-41-100, the ticket validation number (barcode) is the authoritative source. The 3-letter code is a legacy convenience, not the official record.
Better Ways to Check Your Virginia Lottery Tickets
- Virginia Lottery app — Scan the barcode with your phone for instant results
- Ticket Scanner Plus machines — Available at most Virginia Lottery retailers
- Retailer terminal — Ask the clerk to scan it (watch them do it)
- Play the game — Scratch the entire play area and match numbers/symbols as intended
What Actually Matters When Buying Virginia Scratch-Offs
The 3-letter codes tell you what you’ve won after you’ve already bought and scratched the ticket. They can’t help you make better buying decisions. Here’s what can:
Check Remaining Prizes Before You Buy
Every Virginia Lottery scratch-off game has a fixed number of prizes at each tier. As tickets are sold and prizes are claimed, the value of remaining tickets changes. A game with all top prizes already claimed is objectively worse than one with top prizes still available — even if the overall odds printed on the ticket are the same.
We track this data daily for every active Virginia scratch-off game. You can see which games still have top prizes, which have the best odds, and which offer the strongest expected value on our Virginia scratch-off rankings page.
Understand Odds vs. Expected Value
The “overall odds” printed on the back of a Virginia scratch ticket (e.g., “1 in 4.5”) tell you the chance of winning any prize — including break-even prizes like winning your money back. Expected value (EV) tells you how much a ticket is actually worth based on the remaining prize pool. Learn how we calculate expected value →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “TEN” mean on a Virginia scratch-off ticket?
TEN is the validation code for a $10 prize. If you see TEN (or its alternates: TNE, ETN, ENT, NTE, NET) in the code area of your Virginia Lottery scratcher, your ticket has won $10.
What does “FTY” mean on a Virginia scratch ticket?
FTY is the validation code for a $50 prize. Alternate codes for $50 include FYT, TFY, TYF, YFT, and YTF.
What does “HUN” mean on a Virginia scratch-off?
HUN stands for “hundred” and indicates a $100 prize. Alternates: HNU, UHN, UNH, NHU, NUH.
Are the 3-letter codes the same for every Virginia scratch-off game?
Most Virginia Lottery scratch-off games use the same code set, but some newer games may use different codes or rely solely on barcode validation. Always play the full game rather than relying on codes alone.
Can a store clerk steal my winning ticket by reading the code?
It has happened in other states. To protect yourself: always scratch the full play area before handing your ticket to anyone, use self-service scanners when available, and never let a ticket out of your sight during validation.
Do losing Virginia scratch tickets have codes?
Yes — losing tickets typically show single letters like P, B, Z, or D in the code area rather than 3-letter combinations.
Data sourced from the Virginia Lottery and Virginia Administrative Code. For current game odds and remaining prizes, see our Virginia scratch-off rankings updated daily.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. The Virginia Lottery does not encourage players to rely solely on validation codes when determining the value of a ticket. Always use official validation methods. Please play responsibly — if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.