Four things to check when scoring
You need four pieces of information: yaku, han, hand shape, and payment type. Checking them in this order lets you select the correct row and column in the scoring table. Completing a hand and winning is called hora. If you are still unsure about tile types or winning hand shapes, first read the Mahjong Beginner Course to review the basics.
- Check the yaku: Before counting dora, confirm that the hand has at least one yaku, such as riichi or yakuhai. You cannot win with dora alone.
- Add up the han from all yaku: Add the han for each yaku, then add the dora. Each additional han doubles the basic points, so count han, not the number of yaku.
- Count the hand shape: A three-tile combination is called a group, and two identical tiles are called a pair. Add fu based on how you win, the groups, the pair, and the wait shape.
- Apply the payment rules: Use the multiplier for dealer/non-dealer and ron/tsumo, then round each player’s payment up to the nearest 100 points.
The payment rules explained here are for four-player riichi mahjong. A dealer’s win scores more than a non-dealer’s. With ron, the player who discarded the winning tile pays all the points. With tsumo, all three opponents share the payment. When a non-dealer wins, the dealer pays more than the other non-dealers; when the dealer wins, all three non-dealers pay the same number of points.
Base points = fu × 2(han + 2)
Non-dealer ron: base points × 4 / dealer ron: base points × 6
For easy checking, record the conditions and formula on one line, such as “non-dealer ron, 3 han 40 fu, basic points 1,280, 1,280 × 4 = 5,120, rounded up to 5,200 points.”
Confirm the yaku before counting han
After dividing the completed hand into groups, identify at least one valid yaku. Dora increase the han count, but dora alone cannot make a winning hand. Count riichi, tanyao, yakuhai, and other yaku first, then add dora, red dora, and ura dora according to the rules in use. Ura dora are normally checked only after winning with riichi.
A hand developed without using other players’ discards is closed, while one using another player’s tiles through chii, pon, or similar calls is open. Riichi requires a closed hand, while yakuhai remains valid in an open hand. Some yaku, such as sanshoku doujun and honitsu, lose han when open. The Riichi Mahjong Yaku Guide lists each yaku’s han value and whether it remains valid after opening the hand.
Check yaku in a consistent order
Divide the concealed tiles and called sets into four groups and one pair, then identify which group the winning tile completed. Next, check whether the hand is closed or open, the prevailing and seat winds, and hand-specific conditions such as riichi, ippatsu, and haitei. Finally, count the dora indicators and red tiles. Following this order helps avoid mistaking dora for yaku or counting yaku invalidated by opening the hand.
Fu starts at 20, with points added for the win method and hand shape
Standard calculation starts at 20 fu, then adds fu for the win method, triplets and kans, a pair of yakuhai, and the wait shape. Finally, round the total up to the nearest 10 fu. Sequences give no fu. Kans are worth more fu than triplets, terminals and honors more than numbered tiles from 2 through 8, and concealed triplets more than open triplets. This reflects harder-to-complete shapes in the score.
| Fu element | Simples (2–8) | Terminals and honors | Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base fu | 20 fu | Starting value for a standard hand | |
| Open triplet | 2 fu | 4 fu | A triplet completed by ron is treated as open |
| Concealed triplet | 4 fu | 8 fu | A triplet assembled entirely in your hand |
| Open kan | 8 fu | 16 fu | An open kan or added kan |
| Concealed kan | 16 fu | 32 fu | A kan declared with all four tiles from your hand |
| Pair | 2 fu for yakuhai | Dragons, prevailing wind, or seat wind | |
| Wait | 2 fu | Single-tile, closed, and edge waits; two-sided and shanpon waits receive 0 fu | |
| Win method | 10 fu for closed ron; 2 fu for tsumo | Check the exceptions after the worked example | |
A total of 32 fu rounds up to 40 fu, and so does 34 fu. A closed ron adds 10 fu to the base 20 fu, so it is worth at least 30 fu even without any other fu. First, use this standard calculation for the 30 fu, 3 han example below.
Payments vary by dealer/non-dealer and ron/tsumo
The following table shows payments in four-player riichi mahjong. For the same basic points, the dealer scores more than a non-dealer; with ron, the player who dealt in pays all the points, while with tsumo, the other three players split the payment. These differences are expressed as multipliers applied to the basic points.
| Winner | Ron payment | Tsumo payments |
|---|---|---|
| Non-dealer | The discarder pays base points × 4 | The dealer pays base points × 2; each other non-dealer pays base points × 1 |
| Dealer | The discarder pays base points × 6 | Each non-dealer pays base points × 2 |
Each payment is rounded up to the nearest 100 points. For a non-dealer tsumo, calculate and round up the dealer’s payment and each non-dealer’s payment separately. If the basic points are 960, each non-dealer’s 960 points rounds up to 1,000, while the dealer’s 1,920 points rounds up to 2,000, so declare “1,000, 2,000.”
Round up the payment after applying the multiplier. If you first round 960 basic points up to 1,000, you would calculate a non-dealer ron as 4,000 points, but the correct calculation is 960 × 4 = 3,840, rounded up to 3,900 points.
Calculate a 30-fu, 3-han payment step by step
Assume a four-player hand with no honba or riichi sticks on the table, where a non-dealer declares riichi with a closed hand and wins by ron with tanyao and pinfu. There is no dora. Riichi is 1 han, tanyao is 1 han, and pinfu is 1 han, for a total of 3 han from yaku.
Swipe horizontally to view the entire hand.
This hand consists entirely of sequences, its pair is not a value pair, and it has a two-sided wait. Therefore, it receives only the base 20 fu and 10 fu for closed ron, for a total of 30 fu. The basic points are “30 × 23 + 2 = 30 × 32 = 960.” A non-dealer ron is 960 × 4 = 3,840, rounded up to the nearest 100 points, so the payment is 3,900 points.
Even with the same 30 fu and 3 han, the payment changes depending on dealer/non-dealer and ron/tsumo. The following table compares them.
| Condition | Calculation | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Non-dealer ron | 960 × 4 = 3,840 | 3,900 points |
| Non-dealer tsumo | Round each non-dealer’s 960 and the dealer’s 1,920 separately | 1,000 / 2,000 |
| Dealer ron | 960 × 6 = 5,760 | 5,800 points |
| Dealer tsumo | 960 × 2 = 1,920 from each opponent | 2,000 points each |
For non-dealer ron, round up 960 × 4 = 3,840 to 3,900. For non-dealer tsumo, each of the two non-dealers pays 1,000 after rounding up 960, and the dealer pays 2,000 after rounding up 1,920. For dealer ron, round up 960 × 6 = 5,760 to 5,800. For dealer tsumo, each non-dealer pays 2,000 after rounding up 1,920.
When checking the scoring table, confirm not only the “30 fu, 3 han” row but also the dealer/non-dealer and ron/tsumo columns. Because the total tsumo payment includes rounding up each individual payment, it may differ from simply multiplying the base points by the total multiplier.
Comparing pinfu, seven pairs, closed ron, and open hands
After reviewing the procedure with one example, compare how the fu and payments change with the hand shape. The following four examples assume four-player mahjong, no honba or riichi sticks on the table, a non-dealer winner, and no limit-hand rounding. Only the listed yaku and han apply; dora are excluded.
Closed pinfu tsumo is fixed at 20 fu
Swipe horizontally to view the entire hand.
Seven pairs is fixed at 25 fu
Swipe horizontally to view the entire hand.
Closed pinfu ron is 30 fu
Swipe horizontally to view the entire hand.
For ron with a pon of value tiles, add the fu for an open triplet
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Pon
| Example | Fu and han | Base points | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed pinfu tsumo | 20 fu, 2 han | 20 × 24 = 320 | 400 / 700 |
| Chiitoitsu by ron | 25 fu, 2 han | 25 × 24 = 400 | 1,600 points |
| Closed pinfu by ron | 30 fu, 1 han | 30 × 23 = 240 | 1,000 points |
| Ron with a yakuhai pon | 30 fu, 1 han | 30 × 23 = 240 | 1,000 points |
Pinfu tsumo is fixed at 20 fu, and chiitoitsu at 25 fu. Closed pinfu by ron adds the 10 fu for closed ron to 20 fu. In the yakuhai pon example, the open triplet of terminals or honors adds 4 fu to 20 fu, making 24 fu, which is rounded up to 30 fu. Opening the hand does not determine the score by itself; recount the remaining yaku, han, and fu from the sets.
Review the exceptions to fu calculation
An open pinfu-shaped hand with no fu additions beyond the base 20 fu is treated as 30 fu. Pinfu tsumo is 20 fu, without the usual 2 fu for tsumo. Chiitoitsu is fixed at 25 fu and is not rounded up to the nearest 10 fu. Whether the pair of double wind tiles is worth 2 fu or 4 fu depends on the ruleset, so follow the table's scoring chart.
Use the fixed scoring table once the base points reach the cap
A hand whose base points reach the cap is treated as mangan and higher hands use fixed scores based on their han. 5 han is mangan. 3 han 70 fu or more and 4 han 40 fu or more also reach at least 2,000 base points, so they are mangan. 4 han 30 fu is 7,700 points for a non-dealer ron and 11,600 points for a dealer ron, though some rules round these up to mangan. Treatment of counted yakuman, rounded-up mangan, and double yakuman varies by table.
| Category | Typical condition | Non-dealer ron | Dealer ron |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mangan | 5 han, or a qualifying combination of fu and han | 8,000 points | 12,000 points |
| Haneman | 6–7 han | 12,000 points | 18,000 points |
| Baiman | 8–10 han | 16,000 points | 24,000 points |
| Sanbaiman | 11–12 han | 24,000 points | 36,000 points |
| Yakuman | A yakuman yaku is completed | 32,000 points | 48,000 points |
Process honba and riichi sticks on the table after the regular points
Honba is a counter that increases when the dealer continues or a hand ends in a draw. The 1,000-point sticks placed on the table by players who declared riichi are called kyotaku, or riichi deposits. Neither increases han or fu. First determine the normal payment, then add honba payments, and finally determine who receives the riichi deposits.
As an example of a named ruleset, M.LEAGUE adds 300 points per honba: the discarder pays them for ron, while all three opponents pay 100 points each for tsumo. For a non-dealer ron worth 40 fu and 3 han with 2 honba, add 600 points to the normal 5,200 points, so the discarder pays 5,800 points. If there is 1 riichi deposit, the winner receives 1,000 points from the table. The deposit is not charged separately to the discarder.
Table rules take precedence for honba, riichi deposits, and multiple wins
The honba bonus, recipient of riichi deposits, handling of double ron, and conditions for the dealer to continue vary by ruleset. Do not apply the examples in this article unchanged to other tournaments or services; check the rules before playing.
Common mistakes and desk checks
- Treating dora as a yaku and assuming you can win without any other yaku
- Overlooking the fu for closed ron, tsumo, or the wait shape
- Using the wrong fu for open and concealed sets, or for simples versus terminals and honors
- Mixing up the payment ratios for dealer and non-dealer, or ron and tsumo
- Failing to round each individual tsumo payment up to the nearest 100 points
- Adding honba or riichi deposits before calculating the regular winning score
Eight checks before moving the point sticks
- Is the winning shape complete, with at least one yaku other than dora?
- Did you account for whether the hand is closed or open and any resulting han reduction?
- Have you counted the correct number of dora, red dora, and ura-dora under the applicable conditions?
- Did you separate exceptions such as pinfu tsumo and chiitoitsu first?
- Did you add fu for open and closed triplets and kans, terminal and honor tiles, the pair, and the wait?
- Is the winner the dealer or a non-dealer, and was the win by ron or tsumo?
- Has each person’s final payment been rounded up to the nearest 100 points?
- After determining the normal score, did the honba and riichi stick deposit process follow the rules?
When recording a hand score or game results, keep the points won during the hand separate from the final point total at the end of the game. The Mahjong Results Calculation Guide explains how to convert final point totals into net results.
Frequently asked questions about mahjong score calculation
Do beginners need to memorize the entire score table?
You do not need to memorize the entire table at first. Prioritize the common 30-fu and 40-fu scores, the mangan-and-above tiers, and the differences between dealer/non-dealer and ron/tsumo. During play, consulting a table and checking the formula afterward is enough.
Can you win with just dora?
No. Dora add han to an otherwise valid hand, but they are not yaku. Confirm at least one yaku, such as riichi, yakuhai, or tanyao, before counting dora.
Can I round the total tsumo points to the nearest 100 points?
Each dealer and non-dealer payment is rounded up to the nearest 100 points, rather than the total. Therefore, there may be a difference between the total of individual payments and the value obtained by multiplying the base point before rounding by the total multiplier.
When is it not necessary to calculate fu?
Once a hand is confirmed as mangan or higher, its hand score no longer requires a fu calculation. Learn special cases separately: chiitoitsu is fixed at 25 fu, while pinfu tsumo is treated as 20 fu.
When do you add honba and riichi deposits?
Only after determining the normal payment from the han and fu. Since honba bonuses and who receives riichi deposits after multiple wins vary by ruleset, check the table rules.
Summary
Riichi mahjong scoring is checked in this order: whether the hand has a yaku, its han, its fu, whether the winner is dealer or non-dealer, and whether the win is by ron or tsumo. At first, use a score table for the common 30-fu and 40-fu scores and mangan or higher, and check each condition individually for complex hands. Confirm any rules that vary by table before playing.
Reference materials and scope of rules
- M.LEAGUE Official Match Rules: Rules covering fu, han, scores, riichi deposits, honba, and related scoring conditions.
- WRC Rules (World Riichi Championship): Official gateway to the current WRC rules and scoring materials.
- World Riichi Championship Downloads: Official teaching materials, including a yaku list and score sheet.
- Saikouisen Nihon Pro Mahjong Association Rules: Official rules showing differences between the Saikouisen and Classic formats.
The calculations in this article are examples from four-player riichi mahjong with the conditions stated explicitly. Each source describes a named ruleset adopted by a particular organization or tournament, not the sole standard. Follow the rules of your table for rounded-up mangan, counted yakuman, honba, riichi deposits, multiple wins, and similar matters. Sources checked: July 25, 2026.