How many tiles are in an American mahjong set?
Last updated · by Mahjong Set Finder team · How we collect data
An American mahjong game (National Mah Jongg League rules) uses 152 tiles: 108 suit tiles, 16 winds, 12 dragons, 8 flowers and 8 jokers. Retail sets are usually sold as 160 or 166 tiles because they add spares and blanks. In our catalog, 48 of 74 available sets and tile sets list 166 tiles and 5 list 160 (data as of 2026-10-30).
Rules source: National Mah Jongg League. We never reproduce the annual card or its hands.
The 152 tiles used in play
| Tile group | Tiles in play | How it breaks down |
|---|---|---|
| Suits (Bams, Cracks, Dots) | 108 | 3 suits × 9 numbers × 4 copies |
| Winds | 16 | North, East, West, South × 4 |
| Dragons | 12 | Red, Green, White (Soap) × 4 |
| Flowers | 8 | 8 flower tiles |
| Jokers | 8 | Wild tiles used in American play |
| Total | 152 |
Why sets are sold as 160 or 166 tiles
The extra tiles beyond 152 are spares — typically extra jokers and flowers — plus blank tiles that can replace a lost tile. The exact mix varies by listing, so read the seller’s tile breakdown. Among products in our catalog that list both counts: 10 jokers: 54. That means 2 spare jokers over the 8 used in play.
| Listed tile count | Products | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 160 | 5 | Oh My Mahjong Jasmine Mahjong Tiles, Oh My Mahjong Papaya Spritz Mahjong Tiles, Oh My Mahjong Heritage Mahjong Tiles |
| 166 | 48 | LEMY 166 Tiles American Mahjong Set w/ Soft Carrying Bag, C&H Solutions American Mah Jongg Complete Set, 166 Tiles with All-in-One Combo Rack, American Mahjong Set “Coffee” – Quilted PU Leather Bag, 166 Engraved Tiles |
| 168 | 1 | The Mahjong Line Classic Line – Crisp White |
| Not listed | 20 | Travel Mahjong Set: Dusty Green, Oh My Mahjong Seabreeze Mahjong Tiles, Oh My Mahjong Osler Mahjong Tiles |
The one 168-tile listing (The Mahjong Line Classic) states it includes 8 seasons. Compare every listing in the catalog.
Can I use a 144-tile Chinese set?
Not as sold. A 144-tile set has no jokers, and American play needs 8. See American vs Chinese mahjong sets.
Frequently asked questions
How many tiles are used in American mahjong?
152: 108 suit tiles, 16 winds, 12 dragons, 8 flowers and 8 jokers, under National Mah Jongg League rules.
Why does my American mahjong set have 166 tiles?
Retail sets add spare tiles (usually extra jokers and flowers) and blank tiles on top of the 152 used in play. The exact mix varies by listing.
How many jokers come in an American mahjong set?
8 jokers are used in play. Every product in our catalog that lists a joker count includes 10, as of 2026-10-30.
Is a 160-tile set enough for American mahjong?
Yes, if it includes 8 or more jokers: 160 tiles covers the 152 used in play plus spares.
Related guides
- American vs Chinese mahjong sets — Jokers, tile counts and racks: what makes a set usable for American (NMJL) play.
- Mahjong rack size guide — Rack lengths and tile sizes from real listings, in inches and millimetres.
- Best American mahjong sets under $100 — Every complete set and tile set under $100 in our catalog, including under $50.
- Melamine vs acrylic mahjong tiles — How the two tile materials compare on price and size across our catalog.
- All guides