Tiles and terms
How Many Tiles Are in a Mahjong Set?
Quick answer
An American mahjong set has 152 tiles. A Chinese set has 144 tiles, and a Japanese riichi set has 136. An American set is a Chinese set plus 8 jokers. Riichi sets leave out the flowers and seasons. Many American sets also add spare tiles, so the box may hold 160 or 166.
At a glance
- American set: 152 tiles
- Singapore set: 148 tiles
- Chinese or Hong Kong set: 144 tiles
- Japanese riichi set: 136 tiles
- Copies of each number tile: 4
How many tiles are in a mahjong set?
Most mahjong styles use 136 to 152 tiles. The exact number depends on the style you play. The game pieces are called tiles.
All the main styles use the same 3 suits of number tiles, plus 4 winds and 3 dragons. The extras are what change. For example, American sets add jokers, which are wild tiles.
| Style | Tiles | What is different |
|---|---|---|
| American | 152 | A Chinese set plus 8 jokers |
| Singapore | 148 | A Chinese set plus 4 animal tiles |
| Chinese | 144 | Has 4 flowers and 4 seasons |
| Hong Kong | 144 or 136 | Some tables leave out the flowers |
| Filipino | 144 | Same tiles as a Chinese set |
| Japanese riichi | 136 | No flowers or seasons |
How many tiles are in American mahjong?
American mahjong uses 152 tiles, in 7 kinds.
| Tile | How many |
|---|---|
| Dots (circles), 1 to 9 | 36 |
| Bams (bamboo), 1 to 9 | 36 |
| Craks (characters), 1 to 9 | 36 |
| Winds | 16 |
| Dragons | 12 |
| Flowers | 8 |
| Jokers | 8 |
| Total | 152 |
Many American sets are sold with 160 or 166 tiles. The extra tiles are spares. You still play with 152.
Want to know what each tile is called? See our guide to mahjong tile names. To learn about the 8 wild tiles, read about mahjong jokers.
How many tiles are in Chinese mahjong?
Chinese mahjong uses 144 tiles. That is 108 suit tiles, 16 winds and 12 dragons. Then come 8 bonus tiles: 4 flowers and 4 seasons. Players keep these to the side, not in their hand.
A Chinese set has no jokers. Hong Kong games use the same 144 tiles. Some Hong Kong tables leave out the flowers and seasons and play with 136.
The tile count is just one way the styles differ. See American vs Chinese mahjong for the rest.
How do you check that your set is complete?
Sort the tiles by kind, then count each pile.
- Pull out the jokers and flowers. An American set needs 8 of each. A Chinese set has 4 flowers and 4 seasons.
- Sort the suits. Make 3 piles: dots, bams and craks.
- Line up each suit. Lay out the numbers 1 to 9. Each number should have 4 tiles.
- Count the winds and dragons. Look for 4 of each wind and 4 of each dragon. That makes 16 winds and 12 dragons.
- Add it up. You should have 152 tiles for American play or 144 for Chinese play. Put any spares back in the box.
Tip: Craks show their numbers in Chinese. Our guide to mahjong numbers will help you sort them.
Looking for a complete set?
Our American sets have 160 or 166 tiles with spares, and our Chinese sets have 144.
Questions people ask
How many tiles does each player get?
In American play, East, the dealer, starts with 14 tiles. The other 3 players start with 13 each. Filipino and Taiwanese games use bigger hands of 16 tiles.
How many tiles are in each wall?
In American play, each wall is 19 tiles long and 2 tiles high. That is 38 tiles per wall. Chinese walls are 18 tiles long, and riichi walls are 17.
Can you play American mahjong with a Chinese set?
Not on its own. An American set is a Chinese set plus 8 jokers. A Chinese set has no jokers, and American play uses them.
Do you use fewer tiles with 3 players?
In American play, no. Three players still build all 4 walls. Three-player riichi is different. It drops the 2 to 8 craks and plays with 108 tiles.