How Many Tiles Are in a Mahjong Set?

It’s one of the first questions new players ask — and the answer depends on which version of Mahjong you’re playing. The short version: a standard Mahjong set has 144 tiles, an American (NMJL) set has 152, and a Japanese Riichi set has 136.

The 136-tile core every set shares

Every version of Mahjong is built on the same 136 core tiles. The differences come from what each version adds on top.

What each version adds

• Standard (144): adds 8 bonus tiles — 4 Flowers and 4 Seasons — used in Chinese and Hong Kong play.
• American / NMJL (152): adds 8 Flowers and 8 Jokers. The Jokers are unique to American Mahjong and are what push the count to 152.
• Japanese Riichi (136): adds nothing — no Flowers, Seasons, or Jokers. Riichi plays with the core 136 (some sets swap in red fives, but the total stays 136).

How many tiles do you hold during play?

However many tiles are in the set, each player holds the same number in hand: 13 tiles. On your turn you draw to 14, then discard back down to 13. A completed winning hand is 14 tiles — in American Mahjong, a 14-tile hand that matches the current NMJL card.

Which set should you buy?

If you’re playing American Mahjong, you need a set with Jokers — a standard 144 set won’t have them. If you’re learning Chinese or Hong Kong Mahjong, a 144 set is exactly right. Not sure what to look for? See our guide to the best American Mahjong sets for beginners.

Keep learning

• Mahjong Tiles Explained — what every suit, wind, and dragon means
• Chinese Mahjong Rules — how the traditional 144-tile game is played
• Japanese Riichi Mahjong Rules — the 136-tile competitive variant