How many tiles are in an American mahjong set? The answer is 152, and that number already includes the eight jokers. If you are shopping for a set, a gift or a replacement, the tile count is the first number to check.
The confusion starts because some boxes and listings say 160 or another larger number. This guide breaks down every one of the 152 tiles, shows why the number works out, and gives you a simple way to count a set when it arrives.
Key takeaways
- A complete American mahjong set has 152 tiles, jokers included.
- That is 108 suit tiles, 16 winds, 12 dragons, 8 flowers and 8 jokers.
- A box that says 160 usually includes spare tiles, such as blanks or extra jokers, that are not part of the playing set (sets vary, so ask the seller what the extras are).
- Four walls of 19 stacks, two tiles high, use exactly 152 tiles, which makes the count easy to double-check.
- Count your set as soon as it arrives, so any shortage can be sorted out quickly.
The full breakdown
Here is every tile in a complete American set:
| Tiles | How many | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Dots | 1 to 9, four of each | 36 |
| Bams | 1 to 9, four of each | 36 |
| Craks | 1 to 9, four of each | 36 |
| Winds | East, South, West, North, four of each | 16 |
| Dragons | Red, green and white, four of each | 12 |
| Flowers | Eight in total | 8 |
| Jokers | Eight in total | 8 |
| Total | 152 |
The three suits add up to 108 tiles (36 + 36 + 36). Add 16 winds, 12 dragons, 8 flowers and 8 jokers, and you reach 152.
A note on the white dragon
The white dragon is sometimes called “soap.” On the card, it can also stand as a zero in the year hand. It is still one of the 12 dragons in the count above, not an extra tile.
Why the number is 152
The playing tiles are built around the way the game is set up. Each of the four players builds a wall that is 19 stacks long and two tiles high. That is 38 tiles per wall, and four walls make 4 × 38 = 152. If you are new to the table setup, building the four walls shows it step by step.
The same number shows up when you deal. Each player gets 13 tiles, and East gets 14. That is 13 + 13 + 13 + 14 = 53 tiles in racks, which leaves 99 tiles in the walls to draw from. Our guide to the 13 and 14 starting tiles explains why East has the extra one.
This works as a built-in audit. A wall that finishes a stack short, or a tile left over at the end of building, tells you something is missing or something extra has crept in.
Why some boxes say 160
Some retail sets include a few spare tiles in addition to the playing tiles. A box may then advertise a larger number, such as 160. The extra tiles are usually blanks or spare jokers, and they are not part of play. The playing set is still 152.
Be careful with listings that say “152 tiles plus 8 jokers.” The jokers are part of the 152, not on top of it. If a listing seems to count them twice, ask the seller exactly which tiles are in the box. Two questions settle it:
- How many tiles are in the box in total?
- Of those, how many are spares that are not needed for play?
If the answers are 160 and 8, the box holds a full 152-tile set with eight spares. If the answers are 152 and 0, the box holds exactly the playing set.
How to count your set
A new set deserves a ten-minute count. You do not need any special tools. Here is a simple method.
- Sort into piles. Make one pile each for dots, bams, craks, winds, dragons, flowers and jokers.
- Check the suits. Each suit should have 36 tiles: four of each number from 1 to 9. Line them up in nine columns of four.
- Check the honors. Winds should come in four groups of four, and dragons in three groups of four.
- Count flowers and jokers. You should find eight of each. Check jokers and flowers closely, since they are easy to overlook.
- Add it up. The seven piles should total 152. Any extra blanks or spares go in their own small pile.
If something is missing, contact the seller right away. For our own sets, the store offers a 30-day money-back guarantee counted from the delivery date, and you can reach us at support@mysolamz.com or through the contact page.
What to look for on a product page
- A clear statement that the playing set has 152 tiles.
- The breakdown by suit, wind, dragon, flower and joker.
- A note on whether spare or blank tiles are included.
- The tile size in millimeters. See tile size and thickness for how to read it.
- Whether racks, a case, mats or the yearly card are included. Many sets leave these out, so check what you will need to buy separately.
Common mistakes
- Treating 160 as “more game.” Extra tiles in the box do not change what the game uses.
- Counting jokers twice. They are inside the 152.
- Forgetting the flowers. Eight flowers are easy to miss because they do not belong to a suit.
- Waiting to count. It is much easier to sort out a shortage in the first days than months later. Check the eight jokers at the same time.
Try it at your next game
Before the first hand, count aloud as you build the walls: 19 stacks on each side. If every wall comes out the same length, the count is probably right. Even walls are a good sign, but only sorting the tiles by type, as described above, confirms a full set. Do it once with friends and you will never have to wonder.
The card each year comes from the National Mah Jongg League, and its lines are written for a full 152-tile set.
Frequently asked questions
Do the 152 tiles include the jokers?
Yes. The eight jokers are part of the 152. If a listing adds them on top, ask the seller to confirm the total.
How many tiles does each player get?
Each player is dealt 13 tiles, and East gets 14. A winning hand is 14 tiles, so East starts with the number a winning hand needs.
How many dots, bams and craks are there?
There are 36 of each suit: four copies of every number from 1 to 9. That makes 108 suit tiles altogether.
Why does my set have 160 tiles?
The extra tiles are most likely spares, such as blanks or additional jokers. Only 152 are used in play. Keep the spares in the box in case a tile is lost.
How many flowers are in a set?
Eight. On the card, F stands for any flower, so all eight are interchangeable. Flowers can also be passed in the Charleston, unlike jokers.
Can I play if a tile is missing?
You can try, but the game will feel off, because the walls will not come out even and some hands become harder or impossible. It is better to replace the missing tile or contact the seller.
About our sets. A SOLMAY American mahjong set has exactly 152 tiles (36 dots, 36 bams, 36 craks, 16 winds, 12 dragons, 8 flowers and 8 matching jokers), each 35 x 25 x 11 mm, with original artwork UV-printed on glossy pearlescent acrylic. Sets are printed to order in Vietnam. Racks, pushers, mats, bags and the yearly card are not included. See the mahjong sets.
Keep reading
- Why all eight jokers should match the set
- Tile size and thickness
- Setting up the table: building the four walls
- What you need to play American mahjong
These guides follow the way American mahjong is commonly played with the National Mah Jongg League card. Groups sometimes add house rules, so agree on yours before the first hand, and always use the current year's official card. SOLMAY is not affiliated with the NMJL.
