Where can I buy individual mahjong replacement tiles?

Specialty retailers like Mah Jongg Sales and Where The Winds Blow sell individual tiles and can help with matching. eBay and Etsy have sellers offering tile lots. For budget options, buy incomplete sets as parts donors.

How much do replacement mahjong tiles cost?

Individual tiles range from $3-25 depending on source and rarity. Specialty retailers charge $3-15 per tile. Vintage tiles on Etsy run $5-25. Buying an incomplete set as a parts donor ($20-60) is cost-effective if you need multiple tiles.

How do I match replacement tiles to my set?

Photograph your existing tiles in natural light with a white paper reference. Send photos to specialty retailers who can suggest matches. For vintage sets, finding exact matches is difficult—focus on matching tile backs (crucial for play) even if faces differ slightly.

What tiles are most commonly missing from used sets?

Jokers are most frequently missing—they're heavily used and sometimes lost. Flowers and Seasons are often missing because they're sometimes stored separately. White Dragons (Soaps) get mistaken for blanks. One Bam's distinctive bird design leads to it being separated from other Bams.

Can I use blank tiles as replacements?

Yes, for casual play. Mark them with the appropriate symbol using a permanent marker. Most sets include extra blanks specifically for this purpose. For more serious play or collectors, properly matched replacement tiles are preferable.

When is it not worth replacing tiles?

If replacement costs exceed $50-100 (buying 4-5+ tiles at retail prices), compare against buying a complete set. If you can't find matching backs, the set may not be usable for serious play. Rare vintage tiles that would cost $25+ each to replace might not be worth it for a set you primarily want for play rather than collecting.

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Mahjong Replacement Tiles: Finding Missing Pieces

Found a beautiful vintage set with missing tiles? Here's how to find replacements and make your set playable again.

Updated January 28, 2026

The Missing Tile Problem

Missing tiles are the most common issue with used mahjong sets. Over decades of play, tiles get lost, misplaced, or damaged beyond use. Some tiles go missing more frequently than others.

Tile Type	How Often Missing	Notes
Jokers	Very Common	Most frequently missing—heavily used, sometimes lost. Joker designs vary by set, making exact matching difficult.
Flowers/Seasons	Common	Eight tiles often stored separately or used in other games. Designs vary significantly between sets.
White Dragon (Soap)	Occasional	Blank or subtly marked tile can be mistaken for spare blanks and discarded.
One Bam	Occasional	The bird design differs from other Bams, sometimes separated or lost.
Red Dragon	Less Common	Distinctive tile, but losses happen.

How many missing tiles is too many? If you need to replace more than 4-6 tiles, compare the total cost against buying a complete set. The math often doesn't favor extensive replacements.

Where to Find Replacement Tiles

Specialty Retailers

Dedicated mahjong retailers are your best bet for quality replacements and expert matching assistance.

Mahjong Tiles Museum

$3-15 per tile

Established in 2001, specializes in replacement tiles and helping players find lost, missing, or spare tiles. Extensive knowledge of vintage sets.

Best for: Specific tile matching, vintage replacements

Visit Mahjong Tiles Museum

Where The Winds Blow

$3-12 per tile

Specialty shop focusing on American Mahjong with replacement tiles and parts. Knowledgeable about matching.

Best for: American-style replacements, expertise

Visit Where The Winds Blow

Marketplace Sources

Online marketplaces offer budget options and the ability to find tiles from the same era as your set.

eBay Individual Tiles

$1-20 per tile

Search for 'mahjong tile lot' or 'mahjong replacement tile' to find sellers offering individual pieces or bulk lots.

Best for: Budget options, bulk purchases

Search eBay Individual Tiles

Etsy Vintage Tiles

$5-25 per tile

Sellers often list individual vintage tiles or small lots. Good for finding character pieces or unusual tiles.

Best for: Vintage matching, decorative tiles

Search Etsy Vintage Tiles

Incomplete Sets as Parts Donors

$20-60 per incomplete set

Buy incomplete sets cheaply specifically for replacement parts. Cost-effective if you need multiple tiles.

Best for: Multiple replacements, same-era matching

DIY Options

For casual play or temporary solutions, DIY approaches can work.

Blank Tiles (DIY)

$1-3 per blank

Use blank tiles that came with your set or purchase separately. Can be hand-painted, labeled, or left blank for Joker use.

Best for: Casual play, temporary solution

3D Printing Services

$5-20 per tile

Services like Shapeways can print custom tiles if you have or can create a 3D model. Material won't match vintage plastics.

Best for: Custom designs, unusual tile types

Color Matching Tips

Getting a good color match is essential for playable replacements. Here are tips for improving your chances:

Matching Tips

Photograph in Natural Light

Indoor lighting skews colors. Take photos of your tiles outdoors or by a window for accurate color representation when requesting matches.

Include a Reference Object

Place a white sheet of paper and a ruler in your photos. This helps sellers calibrate for white balance and scale.

Expect Imperfect Matches

Even tiles from the same original batch may have yellowed differently over decades. A 'close enough' match that's consistent on the back is often acceptable for play.

Backs Matter More Than Faces

Tile backs must be indistinguishable during play. A tile face can differ slightly (players only see their own), but the back must blend in with the others.

Consider Patina

Vintage tiles develop patina unevenly based on handling and storage. Tiles from the same era but different sources may not match perfectly.

Ask Sellers About Returns

When buying replacement tiles, confirm you can return if the match isn't acceptable. Most specialty retailers understand this concern.

When Replacement Isn't Worth It

Sometimes replacement costs exceed the practical value. Consider these scenarios:

Consider Alternatives When...

•Replacement cost exceeds $50-100 — At this point, a complete used set may be more economical.
•Tile backs can't be matched — If replacements have noticeably different backs, the set won't be usable for serious play.
•Multiple tiles are missing — More than 6-8 missing tiles suggests the set may be better used for parts.
•The set has other issues — If backs are already uneven or there's significant wear, adding replacements won't solve the underlying problems.

Keep incomplete sets with unmatchable tiles for parts. They can be valuable for completing other sets later, and tiles make nice craft projects or display pieces.