Fu and Han Determine Scores! Master Guide to Mahjong Score Calculation

“I Got Fu! But How Many Points Do I Actually Get?”

After working hard to learn fu calculation, are you wondering:

“They said 30 fu 3 han, but how many points is that…?” “I heard dealer and non-dealer scores differ, but how?” “Is mangan 8000 points? Or 12000 points?”

Today, let’s learn the complete picture of mahjong score calculation together. In fact, by memorizing just 2 formulas, you can calculate any score!

Mahjong Scores Are Determined by “Fu” × “Han”!

The Two Elements That Determine Score

Mahjong scores are determined by these two:

1. Fu 用語の説明が見つかりません : Complexity of the winning hand shape (we learned this before!)
2. Han 用語の説明が見つかりません : Magnitude of yaku (riichi 1 han, tanyao 1 han, etc.)

By multiplying these two, the final score is determined.

Dealer and Non-Dealer Differ! Two Calculation Formulas

The score calculation formula differs for dealer vs non-dealer:

Non-Dealer Score Calculation

Fu × 4 × 2^han = Score

Dealer Score Calculation

Fu × 6 × 2^han = Score

“Wait, that’s it?”

Yes, the basics are just this! But there are some important points, so let’s go through them in order.

Understanding the Formula Mechanics

Why “4” and “6”?

Why Non-Dealer Is “4”

Considering the payment ratio for tsumo wins:

• Dealer pays 2 (double what non-dealers pay)
• Non-dealer pays 1
• Non-dealer pays 1
• Total: 2 + 1 + 1 = 4

Why Dealer Is “6”

Dealer score is 1.5x non-dealer score, so:

• 4 × 1.5 = 6

Or, when dealer wins by tsumo, 3 non-dealers each pay 2:

• 2 + 2 + 2 = 6

What’s “2 to the Power of Han”?

This means scores double with each additional han:

• 1 han: 2¹ = 2x
• 2 han: 2² = 4x
• 3 han: 2³ = 8x
• 4 han: 2⁴ = 16x
• 5 han: 2⁵ = 32x

In other words, score doubles with each additional han!

Super Important! Don’t Forget the Place Bonus

What’s the Place Bonus?

Place Bonus 2 han unconditionally given to any win is mahjong’s most easily forgotten element.

Every single win always adds 2 han

For example:

• Riichi only (1 han) → Actually calculated as 3 han
• Tanyao + Pinfu (2 han) → Actually calculated as 4 han

Why Is There a Place Bonus?

In old mahjong, scores were too low, so this was introduced to adjust game balance. Now it’s an established standard rule.

Let’s Actually Calculate!

Example 1: Non-Dealer 30 Fu 1 Han (Riichi Only)

1. Add place bonus: 1 han + 2 han = 3 han
2. Apply formula: 30 × 4 × 2³
3. Calculate: 30 × 4 × 8 = 960
4. Round up: 1000 points

Example 2: Non-Dealer 40 Fu 3 Han (Yakuhai + Dora 2)

1. Add place bonus: 3 han + 2 han = 5 han
2. Apply formula: 40 × 4 × 2⁵
3. Calculate: 40 × 4 × 32 = 5120
4. Round up: 5200 points

Example 3: Dealer 30 Fu 2 Han (Tanyao + Tsumo)

1. Add place bonus: 2 han + 2 han = 4 han
2. Apply formula: 30 × 6 × 2⁴
3. Calculate: 30 × 6 × 16 = 2880
4. Round up: 2900 points

Rounding Rules

Calculated scores are rounded up to 100-point units:

• 960 points → 1000 points
• 5120 points → 5200 points
• 2880 points → 2900 points

This rounding makes payments simpler.

Ron vs Tsumo: Different Payment Methods!

For Ron (Simple)

The player who dealt in pays the full amount:

• Non-dealer 5200 point ron → Dealer pays 5200 points
• Dealer 7700 point ron → Dealer pays 7700 points

For Tsumo (Everyone Shares)

When Non-Dealer Wins by Tsumo

• Dealer: Pays half the score
• 2 Non-Dealers: Each pays 1/4 of the score

Example: 5200 point tsumo

• Dealer: 2600 points
• Non-dealers: 1300 points each

When Dealer Wins by Tsumo

• 3 Non-Dealers: Each pays 1/3 of the score

Example: 5800 point tsumo

• 3 Non-dealers: 2000 points each (1933… rounded up)

Mangan and Above: No Calculation Needed!

Score Ceiling System

At 5+ han or when calculation results exceed certain thresholds, scores become fixed:

Why Is There a Ceiling?

To prevent calculations from becoming too complex and maintain game balance. At 5+ han, scores are fixed regardless of fu, making them easier to remember!

Common Calculation Mistakes and Solutions

Mistake 1: Forgetting the Place Bonus

Solution: Remember “Displayed han + 2 = Calculation han”

Mistake 2: Mixing Up Dealer/Non-Dealer

Solution: Check your wind tile. If East, you’re dealer!

Mistake 3: Forgetting Rounding

Solution: Always “round up to 100-point units” at the end

Tips for Grasping Scores in Practice

Minimum Scores to Memorize

Beginners, just memorize these combinations:

Representative Non-Dealer Scores

• 30 fu 1 han: 1000 points (riichi only)
• 30 fu 2 han: 2000 points (riichi + tsumo, etc.)
• 40 fu 2 han: 2600 points (pon + tanyao, etc.)
• 30 fu 3 han: 3900 points (riichi + dora 1, etc.)

Representative Dealer Scores

• 30 fu 2 han: 2900 points
• 30 fu 3 han: 5800 points
• 40 fu 3 han: 7700 points

Use Score Tables

At first, don’t force mental calculations—use score tables while playing! You’ll gradually memorize them.

Summary: Score Calculation Is Surprisingly Simple!

What we learned today:

✅ Non-Dealer: Fu × 4 × 2^han ✅ Dealer: Fu × 6 × 2^han ✅ Always add place bonus (+2 han) ✅ Round to 100-point units ✅ 5+ han are mangan and other fixed scores

The formula looks complex, but in practice, most people memorize patterns like “30 fu 3 han is 3900 points.”

It’s okay if calculations take time at first. What’s important is understanding the mechanism that scores are determined by fu and han.

Now that you’ve mastered fu calculation and score calculation, you’re a proper mahjong player! Get used to it gradually by using it in practice!