Melamine vs acrylic mahjong tiles
Last updated · by Mahjong Set Finder team · How we collect data
In our catalog, melamine tiles appear in 35 products (mostly complete sets, median $168.99), while acrylic appears in 39 (mostly designer tile-only sets, median $400.00). Listed melamine tiles are 0.8–1.2″ tall; acrylic tiles are 1.18–1.438″, so large acrylic tiles may need 20″ racks. Material is as stated by each listing (captured 2026-10-30).
By the numbers
| Material | Products | Complete sets | Tile-only | Price range | Median price | Tile height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine | 35 | 33 | 2 | $39.99–$248.99 | $168.99 | 0.8–1.2″ |
| Acrylic | 39 | 13 | 26 | $168.99–$495.00 | $400.00 | 1.18–1.438″ |
Lowest-priced melamine
| Product | Type | Price | Tile size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEMY 166 Tiles American Mahjong Set w/ Soft Carrying Bag | Complete set | $39.99 | Size not listed | Amazon |
| Travel Size American Mahjong Set, “Inkstone” - 166 Mini Melamine Tiles, Black Case, Acrylic Racks, Dice & Wind Indicator | Complete set | $61.99 | 0.8″ H × 0.6″ W × 0.5″ D | Yellow Mountain Imports |
| C&H Solutions American Mah Jongg Complete Set, 166 Tiles with All-in-One Combo Rack | Complete set | $62.99 | 1.125″ H × 0.875″ W × 0.5″ D | Amazon |
| Travel Size American Mahjong Set, “Celadon” - 166 Mini Melamine Tiles, Teal Green Case, Acrylic Racks, Dice & Wind Indicator | Complete set | $62.99 | 0.8″ H × 0.6″ W × 0.5″ D | Yellow Mountain Imports |
| Yellow Mountain Imports “The Classic” – 166 Tiles Only | Tiles only | $69.99 | 1.18″ H × 0.91″ W × 0.51″ D | Yellow Mountain Imports |
Lowest-priced acrylic
| Product | Type | Price | Tile size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Set of 166 American Mahjong Tiles, "Chinoise" (Tiles Only Set) | Tiles only | $168.99 | 1.18″ H × 0.91″ W × 0.51″ D | Yellow Mountain Imports |
| Oh My Mahjong Moving Sale Open OMM Mahjong Tile Sets | Tiles only | $200.00 | Size not listed | Oh My Mahjong |
| American Mahjong Set, "Glacier Blue" with 166 Acrylic Tiles, Light Blue Canvas Tote Bag - 4 All-in-One Racks with Pushers, Wright Patterson | Complete set | $218.99 | 1.2″ H × 0.9″ W × 0.5″ D | Yellow Mountain Imports |
| American Mahjong Set, "Peony Blush" with Pink Canvas Tote Bag - 4 All-in-One Racks with Pushers, Wright Patterson Scoring Coins, Dice, & Win | Complete set | $219.99 | 1.2″ H × 0.9″ W × 0.5″ D | Yellow Mountain Imports |
| American Mahjong Set, “Aloha” - 166 Tiles with Plumeria Motif, Acrylic Racks with Pushers, Quilted Island Sage Green Case, Scoring Coins, Di | Complete set | $219.99 | 1.2″ H × 0.9″ W × 0.5″ D | Yellow Mountain Imports |
How to choose
- Budget and complete kits: most complete sets in our catalog use melamine.
- Designer looks: designer brands (Oh My Mahjong, Southern Sparrow, The Mahjong Line) list acrylic tiles, sold mostly as tiles-only.
- Racks: check tile height before buying racks — see the rack size guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are melamine or acrylic mahjong tiles more expensive?
In our catalog, the median acrylic product is $400.00 and the median melamine product is $168.99 (as of 2026-10-30).
Are acrylic mahjong tiles bigger?
Listed acrylic tiles in our catalog are 1.18–1.438 in tall, versus 0.8–1.2 in for melamine. Large acrylic tiles may need 20 in racks.
Which tile material do complete American sets use?
33 complete sets in our catalog list melamine and 13 list acrylic.
Related guides
- How many tiles are in an American mahjong set? — 152 tiles in play, why sets are sold as 160 or 166, and what our catalog listings include.
- 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.
- All guides